Program Specialist III (Community Homeless Concerns Liaison) - CA Nanakuli-Waianae Leeward District

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education; California; On-site; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education seeks a Program Specialist III to support homeless education initiatives under the McKinney-Vento Act. The role coordinates services across schools, families, and community agencies, and assists in evaluating and improving program operations and compliance.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree and 1½ years of related professional experience, including work with social services and legislative processes. A valid driver's license is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
• 1½ years of progressively responsible professional experience in program planning, coordination, development, or evaluation, including analysis of program interrelationships and effectiveness; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• One year of experience in providing assistance and support to individuals and families in need of social services with knowledge of the McKinney-Vento Act (MVA).
• Substitutions: a master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience (Type 1) but not for Type 2.

Responsibilities

• Assist a higher-level specialist in conducting segments of major studies or special projects.
• Conduct analyses of programs, their operations, and activities, and make recommendations of findings to a higher-level specialist or program supervisor.
• Research changes in state and federal laws, rules and regulations, community concerns, etc.
• Interpret and explain new or existing program policies and procedures, rules and regulations, program standards, etc.
• Provide information to, and communicate with, various committees, other agencies, and community groups and organizations concerned with the agency’s program.
• Assist in the development of contracts and grants.
• Monitor and evaluate program operations and activities to ensure program objectives meet state and federal requirements.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans to address program deficiencies.
• Develop training programs to implement new or revised program policies, procedures, activities, functions, etc.
• Assist a higher-level specialist in the preparation of the agency’s state plan.
• Participate in developing legislative proposals and testimonies.
• Speak before groups to promote or provide information or coordinate program activities and objectives.
• Assist in the development of budget requests.
• Provide technical assistance, consultation, and interpretation of program rules and procedures to agency staff, other public, private, and community agencies.
• Develop, recommend, and coordinate implementation plans for specific program areas.
• Advise and explain program requirements to data processing personnel.

Skills

Program planning

Coordination

Communication

Research

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Overview

This position is located in the Leeward District‑Homeless Concerns Office. The office’s mission is to ensure that homeless children and youth receive uninterrupted access to education and related services under the McKinney‑Vento Act (MVA). The role assists the Complex Area Superintendent in developing, implementing, and evaluating program operations and services to ensure MVA compliance. The position also performs liaison, coordination, and advisory tasks, facilitates communication among schools, families, and community agencies, coordinates services with external partners, and provides technical assistance and training.

Salary

Program Specialist III, SR‑20: $5,107.00 – $6,221.00 per month.

Responsibilities

• Assist a higher‑level specialist in conducting segments of major studies or special projects.
• Conduct analyses of programs, their operations, and activities, and make recommendations of findings to a higher‑level specialist or program supervisor.
• Research changes in state and federal laws, rules and regulations, community concerns, etc.
• Interpret and explain new or existing program policies and procedures, rules and regulations, program standards, etc.
• Provide information to, and communicate with, various committees, other agencies, and community groups and organizations concerned with the agency’s program.
• Assist in the development of contracts and grants.
• Monitor and evaluate program operations and activities to ensure program objectives meet state and federal requirements.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans to address program deficiencies.
• Develop training programs to implement new or revised program policies, procedures, activities, functions, etc.
• Assist a higher‑level specialist in the preparation of the agency’s state plan.
• Participate in developing legislative proposals and testimonies.
• Speak before groups to promote or provide information or coordinate program activities and objectives.
• Assist in the development of budget requests.
• Provide technical assistance, consultation, and interpretation of program rules and procedures to agency staff, other public, private, and community agencies.
• Develop, recommend, and coordinate implementation plans for specific program areas.
• Advise and explain program requirements to data processing personnel.

Qualifications

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university.

Experience: 1½ years of progressively responsible professional experience in program planning, coordination, development, or evaluation, including analysis of program interrelationships and effectiveness; or equivalent combination of training and experience. One year of experience in providing assistance and support to individuals and families in need of social services with knowledge of the McKinney‑Vento Act (MVA) is required.

Specialized Experience:

• Proven ability to conduct studies and analyses of programs or projects, identify information needs, collect and analyze data, propose solutions, and draft comprehensive reports.
• Professional experience supporting families and individuals requiring social services, demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivity to issues facing homeless children and families.

Driver’s License: Current, valid driver's license required.

Substitutions: A master’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field may be substituted for one year of the specialized experience (Type 1), but not for the specialized experience (Type 2).

Equal Opportunity Statement

Hawaii State Department of Education provides equal employment opportunity without discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, arrest and court record, National Guard participation, and other protected categories in accordance with federal and state laws.