Homeless Education Program Specialist

Provides consultation, direction, and guidance to internal and external stakeholders to support of students experiencing homelessness serving as the federally required coordinator as defined in the Education for Homeless Children and Youth, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act:

• Provides customer-focused specialized program assistance;

• Coordinates and administers the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act grant (for example, develops grant competition process, hosts bidders’ conferences, provides professional development for grantees);

• Collaborate with direct supervisor on fiscal decisions related to grant funding;

• Serves as the main contact for programs and grant-funded opportunities that relate to students experiencing homelessness, including providing regular technical assistance and advanced consultation;

• Applies knowledge of public policy around education, housing, vulnerable youth populations and supports for students experiencing homelessness to establish relationships across systems/agencies;

• Communicates with policy administrators to navigate areas of misalignment throughout the system;

• Carries out goals and objectives established in the ESSA State plan;

• Provides written guidance and other tools regarding law to internal and external stakeholders;

• Collaborates with school personnel, local education agencies (LEAs), and service providers to improve the provision of comprehensive education and related services to homeless children and youths and their families;

• Provides technical assistance to homeless education liaisons, parents and guardians related to provisions of law;

• Provides professional development opportunities to LEAs to assist in identifying and meeting the needs of homeless children and youths;

• Conducts desk and onsite monitoring of LEAs to ensure regulation compliance;

• Serves on projects, work groups, advisory groups, and teams related to housing and involving students experiencing homelessness.

• Establishes and maintains collaboration with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., participate in work groups, facilitate collaboration events, provide feedback).

• Works collaboratively with internal and external customers, other state agencies, and state and local organizations on housing topics, needs, best practices, and policy implementation;

• Uses data to identify needs, resources, and planning to improve results for students experiencing homelessness or similar needs;

• Develops reports as requested;

• Reviews changing state and federal laws and recommends administrative rule changes as needed to direct supervisor;

• Facilitate presentations and other professional development as requested; and

• Performs other duties as assigned.

72 months experience performing any combination of the following:

• Previous employment in an educational setting or youth serving agency
• Coordinating contracts or grantsin an educational setting
• Facilitating or coordinating work groups across multiple department levels
• Project or grant planning and implementation
• Providing supports to students and families in highly mobile populations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal, networking and team-building skills
• Strong communication skills (written, verbal, other)
• Facilitating work groups across multiple department levels
• Strong relationship building skills
• Strong customer service skills

• Experience with development of tools and technical assistance related to program operations.
• General understanding of housing insecurity and related challenges
• Working knowledge of state and federal laws and government