Program Specialist III, Prof Trainee II, I (Community Homeless Concerns Liaison) -Central Dist Admin

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 56,994 - 69,426; Full time

Job summary

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education seeks a Program Specialist III to support the Leeward District‑Homeless Concerns Office in ensuring uninterrupted access to education for homeless children and youth under the McKinney‑Vento Act. You will assist the Complex Area Superintendent in developing, implementing, and evaluating program operations and services.

You will facilitate communication between schools, families, and community agencies; coordinate services with community organizations;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university.
• Experience: 1.5 years of specialized experience for Program Specialist III.
• Ability to write clear reports and interpret complex material.

Responsibilities

• Engage, administer, and bridge networks of communities such as SCC, CCC, and PCNC.
• Negotiate and maintain professional relationships with community members, partner agencies and school personnel.
• Conduct research into changes in State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Provide direct instructional services and deliver training workshops.
• Assist with volunteer organizations.
• Conduct studies and analyses of major, unprecedented or controversial issues regarding the agency services and operations.
• Formulate and recommend major new policies, program goals or objectives.
• Support collection of communication materials in partnership with the Communication Office about strong parent, family, and community engagement.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Description

This position is located in the Leeward District‑Homeless Concerns Office. The office’s function is to ensure that homeless children and youth receive uninterrupted access to education and related services as authorized under the McKinney‑Vento Act (MVA). The candidate will assist the Complex Area Superintendent in the development, implementation, and evaluation of program operations, services, and activities to ensure compliance with the MVA. The role also includes liaison, coordinative, and advisory work such as facilitating communication between schools, families, and community agencies, coordinating services with various community organizations, and providing technical assistance and training.

Salary

Authorized Level: Program Specialist III.
Applications are being accepted down to Professional Trainee I in the event of recruiting difficulties.

Salary Range: All new external applicants will be placed on the initial step of the salary range. Placement above the initial step will be based on special characteristics and critical needs of the position, exceptional qualifications, fund availability and other relevant factors. Such appointments require prior approval. Hawaii State Department of Education employees will be placed on the salary range in accordance with Department regulations.

Professional Trainee I, SR-16: $4,368.00 - $5,314.00 per month

Professional Trainee II, SR-18: $4,725.00 - $5,753.00 per month

Program Specialist III, SR-20: $5,107.00 - $6,221.00 per month

Responsibilities

• Engage, administer, and bridge networks of communities such as SCC, CCC, and PCNC.
• Negotiate and maintain professional relationships with community members, partner agencies and school personnel.
• Conduct research into changes in State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Provide direct instructional services and deliver training workshops.
• Assist with volunteer organizations.
• Conduct studies and analyses of major, unprecedented or controversial issues regarding the agency services and operations.
• Formulate and recommend major new policies, program goals or objectives.
• Support collection of communication materials in partnership with the Communication Office about strong parent, family, and community engagement.

Minimum Qualifications

Basic Education Requirement: Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree.

The education or experience background must also demonstrate the ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents; read and interpret complex written material; and solve complex problems logically and systematically.

Experience Requirements

• Professional Trainee I – 0 years of special experience.
• Professional Trainee II – 1/2 year of special experience.
• Program Specialist III – 1½ years of special experience.

Specialized Experience

• Progressively responsible professional experience that demonstrates ability to conduct studies and analyses of programs or projects through active participation in planning, coordination, development, and/or evaluation of programs and/or program activities. The experience must involve professional work concerning program interrelationships, effectiveness or intra‑program integration, with high analytical skill for identifying information needs, collecting and analyzing data, identifying problems and alternative solutions, and developing logical recommendations.
• Progressively responsible professional work experience that involved providing assistance and support to individuals and families in need of social services or other related community resources. The experience must demonstrate knowledge of the McKinney‑Vento Act (MVA) and a high degree of cultural awareness and sensitivity to issues facing homeless children and families.

Substitutions Allowed

Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration or a field pertinent to the agency’s programs and activities may be substituted for one year of specialized experience.

Required Licenses

Applicant must have a current, valid driver’s license.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must meet all the requirements for the position they are seeking as of the date of the application. Calculation of experience is based on full‑time, 40‑hour workweeks. Part‑time experience is pro‑rated.

Equal Opportunity

The Hawaii State Department of Education does not discriminate in its educational policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. The Department does not discriminate in its employment policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sexual orientation, arrest and court record, National Guard participation, or any other protected characteristic, in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991, Equal Pay Act of 1963, and Chapter 378, Part I, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Payday

New employees can expect their first paycheck within the first three pay periods of their start date. Payday is on the 5th and 20th (or previous business day) of each month.

Benefits

• Holidays: 13 paid holidays each year (14 during an election year).
• Vacation: 21 days per year for employees of Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 13.
• Sick Leave: 21 days per year for the same Bargaining Units; unused credits may be used toward computing retirement benefits.
• Health Insurance: If eligible, the State pays part of the premium for each employee’s enrollment in a State‑sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plan.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for employees and retirees.
• Premium Conversion Plan: Employees may increase take‑home pay by having the State deduct health‑care premium costs before payroll taxes are withheld.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Eligible employees can reduce federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax‑savings benefit program called Island Flex.
• Retirement Plan: The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Employees with at least 10 years of represented service and who have reached 62 years of age or 30 years of service and are 55 years old may retire and receive benefits.
• Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA): Eligible Department employees may participate in a tax‑shelter annuity program.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a tax‑deferred retirement investment program with multiple investment options.
• Temporary Disability Insurance: Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for disability caused by a non‑work‑related injury or illness.
• Social Security: The State contributes to an employee’s social security account.
• Workers’ Compensation: Benefits covering medical expenses and partial wage support may be available for employees injured while on the job.
• Union & Collective Bargaining: Employees may join a union for collective bargaining, with optional union service fee payment unless the job is excluded from collective bargaining.