Educational Advocate

Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD); Renton (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Puget Sound ESD seeks an Educational Advocate to lead regional initiatives across King and Pierce Counties, ensuring programs meet diverse student and family needs and align with equity goals. The role emphasizes collaboration with schools, staff, and community partners to promote engagement and successful transitions for youth returning from detention or incarceration.

The position supports evidence-based interventions, records management under FERPA, and coordination of services that drive

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or vocational training in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Counseling, Education, Criminal Justice, Behavioral Health, or related field.
• Experience providing case management, assessments, referrals, family engagement, crisis intervention, or transition planning for youth and families in educational, behavioral health, juvenile justice, or community settings.
• Experience collaborating with schools, families, community partners, and public agencies, while maintaining confidential records and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, or similar technology, with ability to organize work and promote DEI and antiracist practices.

Responsibilities

• Assesses students’ needs to develop academic or vocational success plans for transition into community educational or vocational programs.
• Develops and implements early warning intervention systems and related policies at schools.
• Collaborates with students, families, counselors, school officials, corrections personnel, and programs to facilitate enrollment and continued student success.
• Conducts orientation and learning sessions for students, parents, staff on referral processes and reducing barriers to enrollment.
• Coordinates home visits within program guidelines to assist students and families with effective supports.
• Coordinates placement of juvenile offenders into community-based education, vocation, or work programs to support successful transitions.
• Maintains records and adheres to FERPA and funder reporting requirements.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Organization

Education

Associate's degree or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Microsoft Teams

Google Workspace

Job description

Purpose Statement

Puget Sound ESD seeks a Educational Advocate to provide regional leadership and program implementation across King and Pierce Counties to advance the Agency’s End: Success for Each Child and Eliminating the Opportunity Gap by Leading with Racial Equity. In collaboration with school leaders, staff, and community partners, this role ensures that programs are designed to meet the diverse needs of students and families. The position plays a critical role in supporting efforts that align with PSESD goals while fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments that promote student engagement and success

The job of Educational Advocate is done for the purpose/s of assisting juveniles previously incarcerated in county detention centers or juvenile institutions to successfully transition back to community schools, vocational training, college, GED programs or jobs, provide evidence-based interventions according to identified pre-level risk indicators to promote the successful completion of a high school diploma or equivalent.

Open until filled; for best consideration, submit a complete application by October 2nd,2026. Tentative in-person interviews are scheduled on October 8th,2026.

PSESD is one of nine regional educational agencies serving school districts and state approved charter and private schools in Washington. Serving over 39% of Washington’s K-12 public school students, our agency provides critical services designed to ensure that our students are ready to enter school, achieve at high levels in the K-12 system, and succeed in postsecondary endeavors. We are committed to becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization driven by equity in education. To learn more about PSESD, visit www.psesd.org/about-psesd.

This job reports to Senior Director, Dropout Intervention & Re-Engagement and Safety Services.

Essential Functions

• Assesses students’ needs holistically in order to develop an academic or vocational success plan for the purpose of successful transition into a community educational or vocational program.
• Assists in developing and implementing early warning intervention systems including related policies and tiered practices at schools (e.g., Community Engagement Boards, Community Facilities, Detention Centers, restorative practices, and Student Assistance Teams, etc.) for the purpose of assuring best or evidence-based practice standards are utilized.
• Collaborates with students, families, counselors, school officials, corrections personnel, and a variety of educational, vocational, or court-related programs or services for the purpose of facilitating enrollment and maintaining the academic, vocational, or employment success of the student.
• Conducts orientation and learning sessions for students, parents, school staff, corrections staff, community members on the identification and referral process for the purpose of supporting student enrollment, sharing resources and reducing and/or mitigating causes of attendance, behavioral and academic early warning signs.
• Conducts home visits within program guidelines and according to Learning Support Services procedures, basic skills, risk, and strength-based assessment outcomes for the purpose of assisting students and families with effective intervention supports.
• Coordinates placement of juvenile offenders from either juvenile or adult correctional programs into community-based K-12 education, vocation, or work programs for the purpose of successfully transitioning into a community educational program for the purpose of ensuring that identified students are safe, healthy, supported, engaged, challenged, and successfully participating in their school experience.
• Embodies the principles and practices that form our culture and commitment to becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization for the purpose of meeting the Agency’s End: Success for Each Child and Eliminating the Opportunity Gap by Leading with Racial Equity.
• Manages confidential and non-confidential records, files, and reports, adhering to FERPA regulations and best practices for the purpose of compiling and submitting data in accordance and as required by funders, the Federal US Department of Education, OSPI, and other pertinent federal, state, and local regulations.
• Obtains school records, monitors progress and attendance of students enrolled in the program for the purpose of developing interventions to promote success in community educational programs.
• Participates in meetings, professional development training, workshops, and seminars, and travels both locally and statewide for the purpose of conveying/gathering information required to perform the job functions.

• Prepares a variety of written materials (e.g., program assessments, evaluations, work plans, memos, handouts, reports, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
• Provides training on early warning interventions, to staff, students, and caregivers (e.g., truancy boards, screening tools, resiliency, restorative practices, early identification, school attendance and reengagement strategies and approaches, etc.) for the purpose of sharing expertise, resources and building team capacity.
• Provides standardized individual screening (risk, strength, basic skills), referrals, and consultation to students, caregivers, and legally approved staff and/or community members for the purpose of assisting students with effective intervention support.
• Provides individual, group, and/or family counseling, skills development, and case management and services for the purpose of preparing students for successful educational, career and college readiness, and employment placements.

Other Functions

• Assist other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.

COMMUNITY AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

Demonstrates knowledge and expertise related to engaging with stakeholders, including children, families and communities, to promote wellness and self-sufficiency.

KNOWLEDGE SHARING

Imparts relevant information to others to increase understanding and overall Agency effectiveness and alignment.

PERSISTENCE AND RESILIENCE

Steadily working toward Agency goals and remaining encouraged while navigating challenges and obstacles. Ability to stay engaged and present during difficulties and demonstrates capacity to effectively work through challenges.

PLANNING, ORGANIZATION, AND PRIORITIZATION:

Assesses the work to be performed, and considers how it should be organized and accomplished, with appropriate priorities and realistic time parameters.

RECORDKEEPING AND DOCUMENTATION

Gathers, organizes, and maintains records, following confidential information and security protocols as needed. Accurately documents relevant/essential actions, processes, and practices.

• Associate's degree or vocational training in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Counseling, Education, Criminal Justice, Behavioral Health, or a related field and progressively responsible experience supporting youth, families, schools, juvenile justice, behavioral health, or community-based programs; OR an equivalent combination of HS Diploma/GED equivalent and related experience.
• Experience providing case management, assessments, referrals, family engagement, crisis intervention, or transition planning for youth and families in educational, behavioral health, juvenile justice, or community settings.
• Experience collaborating with schools, families, community partners, and public agencies, while maintaining confidential records, preparing reports, and ensuring compliance with FERPA or other applicable privacy regulations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, or similar technology, with demonstrated ability to organize work, communicate effectively, and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracist practices.

• Experience implementing early warning intervention systems, restorative practices, attendance improvement, reengagement initiatives, trauma-informed care, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
• Experience conducting home visits, facilitating trainings or workshops, and developing collaborative partnerships with schools, correctional facilities, community organizations, healthcare providers, and families.
• Experience monitoring student outcomes, preparing grant or program reports, analyzing data, and using student information systems, case management software, or other electronic recordkeeping systems to support program compliance and continuous improvement.