School Liaison

McKinley; San Dimas (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off

Sick Time

Paid Holidays

403(b) retirement plan with company 3%

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Rewards Program

Credit Union Membership

Training Opportunities to Further Grow

Job summary

McKinley in Southern California is seeking a School Liaison to bridge foster youth, schools, and residential programs. You will advocate for educational rights, coordinate with administrators, teachers, and counselors, and help youth access academic accommodations.

The role emphasizes tracking progress, ensuring transitions between schools, and supporting families. Travel to multiple sites is expected. Bachelor’s degree required; Spanish preferred; 2–3 years’ experience with foster youth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• 2–3 years of experience in education advocacy, school counseling, or with foster youth.
• Understanding of IEPs and 504 plans for foster youth.
• Experience collaborating with schools and administrators.
• Spanish bilingual skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as a liaison between foster youth, schools, and the residential program.
• Advocate for educational rights and accommodations for foster youth.
• Coordinate with school staff to facilitate transitions between schools.
• Monitor progress and attendance; address learning barriers proactively.
• Help youth understand the school system and develop self-advocacy.
• Collaborate with schools to implement IEPs and 504 Plans as needed.
• Maintain detailed records of progress and communications per standards.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to align educational goals.

Skills

Communication

Bilingual (Spanish) preferred

Collaboration

Advocacy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

School district/agency software

Job description

McKinley:

Youth, Family, and Community are what we are all about! We offer a great working environment and benefits package! McKinley encourages growth so that you can Be your Best H.U.M.A.N.

At McKinley employees share a set of guiding principles: We embrace a culture that is Hopeful, Understanding, Moral, Awesome, Nurturing. - H.U.M.A.N.

The Company:

McKinley is a highly respected welfare organization with a comprehensive array of programs and services – which touch nearly 1,800 lives annually – including short term residential treatment program (STRTP), Foster Care, Adoptions, Mental Health Services, and Special Education. McKinley has 5 locations throughout southern California with our main campus located in San Dimas. We embrace a culture that is H.U.M.A.N.- Hopeful, Understanding, Moral, Awesome, Nurturing. McKinley has created a Hopeful environment, in which we choose optimism in finding the motivation to achieve our greatest dreams. We are a team dedicated to Understanding individual needs and do so by listening and embracing each individual’s stories. We strongly embrace our agency’s Morals by treating everyone with kindness and respect. At McKinley, we acknowledge our team member’s and clients’ Awesome qualities by celebrating what makes each individual unique. We are dedicated to Nurturing a Trauma-Informed Integrated Care approach that has created a unique culture within the organization. We celebrate diversity by our commitment to cultivating an inclusive and affirming environment for all.

The Position:

The School Liaison acts as a crucial bridge connecting foster youth, their schools, and the residential program. This role ensures that foster youth have the advocacy and support needed to navigate educational systems effectively. By collaborating with school staff, including administrators, teachers, and counselors, the liaison will help facilitate smooth transitions, track academic progress, and address obstacles that impact learning. Through consistent communication and tailored support, the liaison will foster educational stability, enabling foster youth to access resources, build confidence, and thrive academically.

Compensation And Benefits

The pay range we’re offering is $25.00-$30.00 hourly depending (Based) on experience.

Our people are the heart of our organization, which is why we offer robust benefits to support your health and wellness as well as your personal and financial well-being.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Time Off
• Sick Time
• Paid Holidays
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match up to 3%
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Rewards Program
• Credit Union Membership
• Training Opportunities to Further Personal and Professional Growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in education advocacy, school counseling, or working with foster youth in educational settings.
• Strong understanding of the unique educational needs and challenges faced by foster youth.
• Experience in collaborating with schools, administrators, and other educational professionals is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of federal and state education laws related to foster youth, including Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred to support diverse populations.
• Google suites; Microsoft Office; general keyboarding skills
• Ability to learn and use school district and agency-specific software for tracking and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination
• Must have the ability to commute to various sites, including off-campus and have the ability to physically restrain children if needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a liaison between foster youth, schools, and the residential program to support educational integration and success.
• Advocate for the educational rights and needs of foster youth, ensuring they receive appropriate academic accommodations and support services.
• Coordinate with school administrators, teachers, and counselors to facilitate smooth transitions for foster youth between schools or grade levels.
• Monitor academic progress and attendance, addressing challenges or barriers to learning through proactive interventions.
• Provide support to youth in understanding and navigating the school system, helping them develop self-advocacy skills.
• Collaborate with schools to implement and monitor Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans for foster youth as needed.
• Serve as a resource for residential staff and school personnel, providing education on the specific needs of foster youth.
• Foster positive relationships with educational institutions to ensure consistent communication and collaboration.
• Maintain detailed records of academic progress, interventions, and communication with schools, ensuring compliance with agency and educational standards.
• Be a part of the staffing ratio supporting youth in transitioning to school in the mornings and supporting their transportation if needed.
• Support youth through their morning and afternoon routines on non school days to provide additional structure and support.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to align educational strategies with therapeutic and residential goals.
• Stay informed on current educational laws and best practices related to foster youth to provide informed advocacy and recommendations.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Why Should You Apply?

• Our Mission- work for an organization that makes a real difference in people’s lives
• Competitive pay
• Several benefit options
• Employee tuition reimbursement
• Great training for staff

Join McKinley to Be Your Best H.U.M.A.N.