This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place on October 28, 2025.

The starting salary range for this position is $6,180.00-$7,000.00 per month depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

Academy for Professional Excellence, a project of San Diego State University School of Social Work, was established in 1996 with the goal of revolutionizing the way people work to ensure the world is a healthier place. Our services integrate culturally responsive and recovery-oriented practices into our daily work to promote healing and healthy relationships. Providing approximately 50,000 learning experiences to health and human service and justice system professionals annually, the Academy provides a variety of workforce development solutions in Southern California and beyond. With five programs, three divisions and over 100 staff, the Academy’s mission is to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities. 

As a member of the Academy team you will be engaging in communal development of heart, mind, and practice. You are expected to foster culturally responsive practice behaviors to promote well-being and a culture that focuses on healing, healthy relationships and changed behaviors.

The Tribal STAR (Successful Transitions for Adult Readiness) Program provides comprehensive, competency-based, interdisciplinary training and technical assistance that incorporates current research, best practices, and technical assistance to communities working to build collaborative partnerships to improve outcomes for tribal foster youth and their families and to achieve ICWA compliance. Tribal STAR’s mission is to improve collaborative efforts that ensure tribal foster youth are connected to culture, community and resources. The Tribal STAR program initiatives target child welfare workers, supervisors, managers and directors and other professionals providing services to or impacting Native American families.

Under the direction of the Tribal STAR Program Manager, the Community Relations Coordinator (CRC) enhances visibility, impact and delivery of the Tribal STAR Program by fostering strong partnerships with Tribal Nations, organizations, counties, state agencies and community stakeholders. The CRC supports the delivery of training and technical assistance through outreach, administrative support, event coordination, and partnership development. The role serves as a liaison between county and tribal child welfare partners, develops materials, and assists with training facilitation. This role also leads marketing and communication efforts including managing the program’s website and newsletter to ensure consistent and effective messaging. The Community Relations Coordinator supervises the Tribal STAR Program Assistant.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

This is a 40-hour a week, hybrid, full-time position working M-F from 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. and is based on contract funding, subject to annual renewal. The position is subject to intermittent overnight travel and work shifts outside of normal business hours, including weekends and evenings.

This position requires that you reside within California throughout the duration of your employment and live within a commutable distance from the worksite(s) your work supports. Positions are typically assigned to either our Riverside or San Diego office for any on-site work.

Note: some duties may include working with and/or exposure to sensitive/traumatic topics or material dealing with child abuse, abuse against older adults and adults with disabilities, and/or issues and scenarios related to mental health, substance use, or racism.

The Academy is a project of the San Diego State University Research Foundation, which is grant-funded and serves as an auxiliary to the University. The Academy is based near, but not on campus, and does not have direct responsibilities for working with or teaching college students.

The Academy is currently working to update employee classifications. This position may be subject to a future classification change, however, this does not change the role, responsibilities, or compensation of the position. 1

Community Relations (30%)

• Foster and sustain strategic communication channels between the Tribal STAR team and Academy programs, Tribal Nations, state agencies, and collaborative partners to ensure alignment and mutual understanding.
• Cultivate and engage cross-sector partnerships, supporting capacity-building efforts and enhancing competencies related to Indian Child Welfare practices.
• Design and execute culturally responsive outreach and engagement strategies to strengthen Tribal relationships and promote inclusive program participation.
• Serve as a liaison and trusted intermediary between Tribal communities, partner organizations, and public agencies across the state of California, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Represent Tribal STAR in interagency workgroups and strategic convenings, contributing subject matter expertise and advancing programmatic goals.
• Lead statewide outreach initiatives to increase visibility and participation in Tribal STAR trainings, events, and programs; actively support the expansion and implementation of Tribal ICWA Advocate training efforts in collaboration with Tribal STAR Team and Partner.

Marketing/Communications Management (20%)

• Maintain up-to-date Tribal STAR website content and resource pages.
• Design and distribute flyers, newsletters, and visual content in collaboration with the Academy’s Marketing and Communications Specialist.
• Lead outreach communications for events and programs.
• Manage logistics and engagement strategies for the Tribal ICWA Advocate Online Learning Community.

Administration (20%)

• Oversee core administrative operations, including the class creation and management of training sessions in Access Planit and providing learner support across platforms such as SumTotal and CACWT.
• Oversee the administrative management of the Tribal ICWA Advocates Online Learning Platform, in collaboration with the Systems team to optimize procedures and ensure seamless user experience.
• Coordinate and manage virtual training logistics, including scheduling and hosting Zoom-based sessions and meetings to ensure seamless delivery.
• Administer program communications, maintaining the program’s listserv and ensuring timely, consistent engagement with trainers, participants, and external partners.
• Ensure data integrity and operational accuracy by managing rosters, registration, attendance tracking, archival processes, and calendar maintenance.
• Manage coordination with Tribes and county representatives to secure venues for in-person regional training.
• Maintain meeting records, agendas, and minutes.
• Support the coordination and scheduling of training sessions, meetings, and program activities, ensuring alignment with team availability and organizational priorities.
• Spearhead data collection and synthesis from training evaluations and needs assessments to uncover insights, identify capability gaps, and guide data-driven program enhancements.

Training/Events (10%)

• Plan, coordinate, and support delivery of virtual and in-person training and events.
• Facilitate components of training (e.g., Introduction to ICWA for LW Core) as co trainer, as assigned.

Supervision (10%)

• Supervise Tribal STAR Program Assistant on training coordination, logistics and other administrative duties.
• Monitor performance and conduct ongoing performance evaluation of direct report.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (10%)

• Maintain current knowledge on emerging child welfare initiatives, including best practice for compliance of the Indian Child welfare Act (ICWA).
• Participate in Academy Committees and/or workgroups.
• Perform other duties as assigned which are in the best interest of the Academy for 

Professional Excellence.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Ability to work and communicate effectively with American Indian communities, tribes, and professionals across systems, with a commitment to learning and respecting cultural protocols and communication practices.
• Ability to provide proficient, high-level administrative support with attention to detail, efficiency, and policy compliance.
• Ability to travel on a regular basis to assist with training coordination.
• Ability to perform administrative support covering a variety of subjects, programs, or projects.
• Ability to order supplies and equipment, and maintain organized record keeping.
• Ability to balance multiple projects/responsibilities simultaneously.
• Ability to apply independent judgment, discretion and initiative to address problems and develop solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to foster a relationship that reflects our vision of cultural-responsiveness.
• Ability to effectively handle interpersonal interactions at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to display motivation and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to display organization and meet deadlines.
• Ability to display good judgment and critical thinking skills.
• Competence in understanding, interpreting, and communicating procedures, information, ideas and instructions.
• Fluency in using standard office software packages for work products.
• Highly motivated self-starter, with a high energy level and strong interpersonal skills.
• Well organized, ability to meet deadlines, detail-oriented; possess good judgment and common sense.
• Demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented principles.
• Fundamental written and oral communication skills, including a sound foundation in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

MINIMUM EDUCATION:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree and/or equivalent training and administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs.
  

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

• 5-years of progressively responsible experience performing varied or specialized administrative and analytical duties and/or service as a program administrator.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least two years of experience working directly with American Indian communities and/or American Indian service agencies, demonstrating cultural competence and knowledge of community dynamics.

• Experience delivering training or presentations to diverse audiences, including community members, service providers, or professionals in education or human services.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented principles

• Background in working with human service agencies, preferably in a role involving outreach, coordination, or training.

• Experience working in a training, educational, or academic setting, including coordinating logistics, supporting instructors, or contributing to curriculum development.

• Experience writing professional materials such as journal-level articles, press releases, newsletters, or public information content.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to collaborate with internal teams, community partners, and Tribal Nations.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices, particularly in work involving Indigenous populations.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.