Program Coordinator

POSITION TITLE: Program Coordinator
DEPARTMENT: Health & Human Services – Youth Program
LOCATION: DuPont, Washington
REPORTS TO: Program Manager - Youth
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt; Full-Time
WAGE RANGE: $ $41.22 per hour

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled (First Review

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered a preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Contributes to the effectiveness of the Youth Program (YP) by organizing, coordinating, and implementing community-based activities at several locations within the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's service area. Ensures that services are culturally grounded prevention and life skills training for American Indian/Alaska Native youth that uplift the strengths and resources within the Cowlitz Tribal Community. Promotes programming that is focused on building youth resiliency and Cowlitz Tribal Pride. This position is highly visible to members of the Tribe and requires staff to model, honor, and represent the mission, vision, and values of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and of the Youth Program. This position is officed in the DuPont, Washington area, but will have travel requirements to support activities and events in other Cowlitz Tribal areas.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Explores new opportunities to help the Cowlitz and AI/AN youth learn and experience their culture and teachings.
• Reviews Community Engagement Facilitator and Youth Council activities and ensures events are properly staffed and safely supported.
• Manages and coordinates volunteers, including ensuring that volunteers meet requirements and are properly trained.
• Works closely with Community Engagement Facilitators and the Youth Council Advisor to schedule and develop planned activities and events in a timely manner, ensuring coordination and minimizing overlap with other HHS planned events, or whenever possible.
• Coordinates with the Youth Program team to plan and execute activities such as the Christmas Party, Halloween Gathering, Back-to-School Safety Event, Family Retreat, Summer and Horse Camps, Family Culture Nights, and other traditional cultural events and gatherings.
• Contributes to achieving project and grant objectives by working with the Program Manager to review required grant activities and ensure objectives are met.
• Works closely with the Program Manager to review existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and manuals, and to make recommendations or requests for updates based on program needs and operational improvements.
• Supports collaboration across HHS programs by coordinating YP functions in joint initiatives, partnerships, and community events involving other HHS programs and CIT departments. Works closely with fellow Program Coordinators to ensure cohesive planning, integrated service delivery, and culturally responsive engagement throughout the Tribe's service areas.
• Works closely with the Program Assistant to support program operations, including coordinating mailings, creating flyers and outreach materials, managing social media content, maintaining the YP calendar of events, processing requisitions and travel requests, procuring supplies and food, and assisting with event logistics and communications.
• Follows existing data systems and serves as the primary staff member responsible for entering YP data; guides the Program Manager in identifying gaps or needs for improvement and makes recommendations to enhance data systems.
• Works with the Program Manager to determine funding availability for events and activities.
• Collaborates with Community Engagement Facilitators to support the delivery of traditional teachings, language, ceremonies, land-based activities, culturally grounded life skills, substance abuse prevention, and gaming/gambling addiction education and activities for youth.
• Assists with coordination, logistics, and ensuring alignment with program goals and data tracking.
• Partners with Community Engagement Facilitators and assists with the development, adaptation, and evaluation of Healing of the Canoe project interventions to ensure cultural relevance and community alignment.
• Supports outreach efforts with Community Engagement Facilitators by providing program data to inform outreach strategies, assisting with event logistics, and helping maintain connections with youth participants and community partners to promote engagement, participation, and enrollment.
• Develops and ensures the completion of surveys and collects survey data as required by the granting agency and internal practices.
• Maintains positive relations with community members and agencies through building relationships and providing education and information related to youth prevention and grant goals.
• Makes recommendations to the Program Manager for financial needs and ensures that activities are within budget and support grant deliverables.
• Prepares and presents reports on the status, activities, and plans for current and future operations to the Program Manager during check-ins, team meetings, and as requested by the Program Manager and CIT leadership.
• Supports the Youth Council Advisor by assisting with meeting logistics, tracking youth participation and feedback, coordinating resources, and helping ensure Youth Council activities align with program goals.
• Contributes to youth engagement and leadership development by identifying opportunities and sharing insights to strengthen council structure and impact.
• Maintains open and cooperative relationships with co-workers.
• Updates and maintains an accurate record of youth paperwork specific to the program activity.
• Ensures accurate branding of program promotional materials; updates, creates, and monitors social media messaging for YP events.
• Supports the Program Assistant in the coordination of YP Tutoring assistance and services.
• Serves as a backup supporting Program Assistant as a point of contact for the YP by responding to inquiries and providing program information.
• Maintains a safe and healthy environment in accordance with established policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Assures exceptional customer care and satisfaction.
• Maintains a high level of integrity in all business activities and personal behavior.
• Abides by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's Health & Human Services mission and values in all aspects of program coordination, ensuring culturally responsive and respectful service delivery.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of youth programs and community resources for families.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education, social work, or related field.
• Three years' experience working with Tribal children and youth, required.
• Must obtain/maintain a Food Handlers permit, First Aid, and CPR cards within 30 days of employment.
• A combination of relevant education and related work experience may be considered.
• A valid driver's license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening/investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT's established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Personal reference check and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks, including fingerprint verification
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office or outdoor setting with moderate noise. Exposure to natural weather conditions and dust, fumes, airborne particles, and/or allergens may occur while performing outdoor duties. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. Overnight travel, evening and/or weekend work is occasionally required.