Special Education Advocate en Pascua Yaqui Tribe, AZ

About the Department

The Special Education Advocate provides advisory services for parents to ensure they have the tools necessary to navigate the school system and become advocates for their own children identified as special needs students. The incumbent promotes educational success, completion of educational goals by providing assistance, and clarification to parents on Individualized Education Programs (IEP), barriers that special education students face and the special education resources that are available. This position assists with special education outreach activities in the community; conducting special education workshops and acting as a liaison between the parent and school.

Position Duties

1. Serve as special education liaison between parents and schools, and upon request, accompany families to IEP meetings.
2. Provide communication on Special Education topics by use of newsletters, flyers, and informational meetings to parents and students.
3. Create and provide special education workshops, to include but not limited to, the following: IDEA, special education rights; how to read and interpret Special Education testing, IEPs, and how to help special education students be successful in school.
4. Develop and implement, in collaboration with other education programs, a Holistic Yaqui model to use in all Tribal educational programs, and to be shared with LEA's Local Education Agencies (LEAs) working with Yoeme youth.
5. Refer students to school and/or tribal services, which provide counseling, tutoring and promote educational interest.
6. In collaboration with school district personnel, develops Individual Education Plan (IEP) for students/families, monitors progress and serves on Child Study Teams as requested
7. Coordinates contiguous services among Tribal, State and Federal components and ensures accountability for each program to meet special education needs.
8. Direct efforts between tribal programs, schools, parents, and assist students.
9. Establish and implement a recruitment and retention program.
10. Compile monthly reports for the Director of Education.
11. Advocate for parent legal rights under IDEA/ADA and educate them on Tribal codes and laws pertaining to education issues and the Tribal Judicial System.
12. Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as requested by supervisor or director.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Counseling practices and principles;
• Referral agencies and programs;
• Community services and agencies;
• Report preparation techniques;
• Tribal, State, Federal and local statues on education including Special Education statues;
• Local School District policies and procedures;
• Yaqui culture, customs, resources and traditions and/or a willingness to learn.

• Apply applicable local, state and federal laws, rules, and regulations;
• Recognize problems, identify alternative solutions, and make appropriate recommendations;
• Provide educational and counseling services to students;
• Advocate on behalf of the client;
• Organize and present information in a group and/or individual setting;
• Work well with children and their parents;
• Coordinate outreach efforts in assigned area;
• Using proper English, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;
• Prioritize work and perform multiple tasks;
• Maintain records and prepare reports;
• Operate a variety of office equipment, including a computer and related software applications;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with co-workers, supervisor, management, Council members, and the public. Have ability to sufficiently exchange or convey information and receive verbal and written work instructions.

Other Qualifications

Bachelor Degree in Education or a related field plus one (1) year of experience in an educational setting;

• Bi-lingual in English/Spanish required, Trilingual in English/Yaqui/Spanish preferred.

• Must have a current T.B. Clearance; 
• Must have a current First Aid and CPR card or able to obtain certification within ninety (90) days of hire; 
• Must possess a current Teacher Certification with a Special Education Endorsement; 
• Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver's License; 
• Must have a current Level 1 Arizona Clearance Card or be able to obtain the Level 1 Arizona Clearance Card within ninety (90) days of hire. Failure to maintain a current Level 1 Clearance Card will result in removal from this position.