Education & Employment Specialist

All Covenant House Alaska program staff work as advocates and allies for youth experiencing homelessness and human trafficking.

The Education & Employment Specialist will provide a comprehensive range of support services to assist students in planning their careers, achieving academic success, and maximizing their overall experiential learning. This includes academic and career-focused goal setting, retention support, soft skills development, and interagency referrals. Additionally, the Education & Employment Specialist connects youth to resources and supports that help them overcome challenges and achieve success in pursuing their goals.

The Education & Employment Specialist will provide and ensure high-quality trauma-informed service delivery in their work and all aspects of youth care.

• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the Covenant House mission, philosophy, history, tradition(s) and the underlying values upon which the Agency is founded to the staff, students and the community we serve.
• Assist students with enrollment, admissions, and registration functions.
• Develop, update, and implement career development activities that expose students to various career pathways.
• Offer mock interview support and training to build resumes, complete employment applications, and job search.
• Connect students with appropriate internship, apprenticeship, or employment opportunities.
• Provide mentoring and coaching to help students achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals.
• Monitor student progress through check-ins, scheduled meetings, and proactive communication.
• Intervene and provide support for students facing academic problems or other issues, developing next steps as needed.
• Arrange accommodation to meet students' needs and ensure successful course and program completion.
• Maintain and nurture partnerships with businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders to support youth workforce development.
• Foster positive relationships within the Anchorage community to create opportunities for students to connect with employment experiences.
• Ensure compliance with documentation requirements, manage databases, and accurately report participant outcomes.
• Track onsite youth, documenting attendance, progress, and services provided.
• Act as an advocate for students, supporting their interactions with staff, partners, and other students.
• Provide support for the building and surrounding areas, ensuring cleanliness, safety, and proper maintenance, and reporting any concerns as needed.
• Actively participate in staff meetings, development activities, and attend conferences as requested.
• Maintain database management and assist in implementing data protocols.
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of data entry by residence staff for grant reporting.
• Maintain dialogue with the Data Manager to improve data design, quality, and processes.
• Analyze data to track outcomes to inform program design and decisions.
• Maintain a positive and professional working relationship with the general public, including placement agencies and families of the students.
• Demonstrate an enthusiastic commitment to the job and the students served.
• Maintain a high level of ethical standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Associate degree in Education, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field. Experience can substitute for post‑secondary education on a year‑for‑year basis.

Experience working with adolescent or disadvantaged populations preferred; experience in youth workforce and internship experience preferred.

Experience working in student services and/or in a community agency that provides services to young adults from diverse backgrounds. Experience in education with student conduct, emergency response, and crisis management preferred.

• Understanding of and compliance with all Agency policies and procedures, including Child Protection Policies.
• Approachable, relatable, and able to build rapport with individuals from varied cultural backgrounds.
• Knowledge of community social service resources for housing, employment, education, and social‑emotional well‑being.
• Cris…