Description

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT

Under the general direction of the Executive Director of Student Services, the Student Services Program Specialist coordinates and implements assigned student support, youth engagement, student leadership, Native Education, migrant education outreach and support, and community partnership initiatives that promote educational access, belonging, and positive youth development. The Program Specialist works in close collaboration with the Student Services Coordinator, who may provide program guidance, identify priorities, and assign work within the scope of department initiatives.

The Specialist works collaboratively with the Student Services Coordinator to support department priorities, coordinate services, and respond to emerging student and family needs. The position independently manages assigned responsibilities and programs while seeking guidance and collaborating with the Student Services Coordinator on complex situations, program implementation, and shared department priorities.

The position serves as the district lead for the Native Education Program, coordinates supports for unaccompanied youth identified under the McKinney-Vento Act, supports outreach and supplemental services for eligible migratory students and youth, coordinates the district's McKinney-Vento Transfer Site, and supports other assigned Student Services initiatives.

The Program Specialist collaborates with schools, families, Tribal partners, community organizations, regional and state partners, and public agencies to strengthen partnerships, reduce barriers to educational access and engagement, and connect students and families with appropriate educational, health, social, and community supports. The position provides technical assistance and resources to school staff, conducts outreach to students and families who may face barriers to participation, monitors program implementation and outcomes, and contributes to continuous improvement of Student Services programs and practices.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Department Collaboration & Program Coordination

• Work collaboratively with the Student Services Coordinator in the implementation and coordination of assigned Student Services programs and initiatives, including shared projects and cross-program supports.
• Carry out assigned work and program priorities identified by the Executive Director and, as appropriate, the Student Services Coordinator in support of department initiatives.
• Independently manage assigned projects, programs, and day-to-day responsibilities within established department expectations.
• Maintain regular collaboration and communication with the Student Services Coordinator regarding program implementation, emerging student and family needs, operational concerns, and shared work priorities.
• Collaborate with and seek guidance from the Student Services Coordinator on complex or sensitive situations that benefit from additional coordination, interpretation, or a broader department response.
• Collaborate with school teams, district departments, and community partners to ensure coordinated support for students and families, including eligible migratory students and youth who may require targeted outreach, referrals, or supplemental services to reduce barriers to participation.
• Provide program updates, data, identified needs, and recommendations to support department planning and continuous improvement.

Youth Development & Student Leadership

• Develop, coordinate, and implement youth engagement, leadership, mentoring, and enrichment opportunities.
• Coordinate student voice initiatives, advisory groups, leadership development opportunities, and recognition activities.
• Collaborate with students, schools, and district staff to identify opportunities to strengthen student voice and engagement.
• Coordinate after-school, summer, extended learning, and other supplemental opportunities that promote belonging, school connectedness, and participation for students who may experience barriers to accessing school or community-based supports.
• Monitor participation and outcomes to inform program development and improvement.

Native Education Program

• Serve as the district lead for implementation of the Native Education Program, including program coordination, grant activities, reporting, and family engagement.
• Facilitate the Native Education Family Council and support meaningful participation of Native students and families.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with Tribal governments, Native families, and community organizations.
• Coordinate culturally responsive programming, student leadership opportunities, family engagement, and grant-funded activities.
• Monitor program participation, requirements, and outcomes and identify opportunities for program improvement.
• Collaborate with the Student Services Coordinator to support alignment of programming with department and district priorities.

McKinney-Vento Unaccompanied Youth

• Coordinate district supports for unaccompanied youth identified under the McKinney-Vento Act.
• Serve as a district resource to school counselors, administrators, registrars, attendance teams, and other staff regarding the identification and support of unaccompanied youth.
• Coordinate resource referrals, educational supports, and required documentation for unaccompanied youth.
• Identify barriers impacting educational access and collaborate with schools and Student Services staff to develop appropriate supports.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to school staff regarding procedures and available resources.
• Collaborate with the Student Services Coordinator regarding complex student circumstances, eligibility concerns, significant barriers, or situations that benefit from additional coordination or guidance.

McKinney-Vento Transfer Site

• Coordinate day-to-day operations and programming for the district's McKinney-Vento Transfer Site, working collaboratively with the Student Service Coordinator on program priorities, needs, and improvements.
• Provide guidance and support to site staff, volunteers, and community partners related to programming, safety, logistics, and student needs.
• Coordinate with district departments and community partners to support effective program operations.
• Monitor participation data, student needs, and program effectiveness.

Community Partnerships & Family Engagement

• Develop and maintain partnerships with youth-serving organizations, Tribal partners, nonprofit agencies, recreation providers, housing agencies, migrant education partners, and other local, regional, and state organizations that support students and families.
• Serve as a district representative on assigned community coalitions and collaborative initiatives.
• Coordinate community outreach, family engagement activities, resource opportunities, and collaborative programming, including targeted outreach to eligible migratory students, families, Out-of-School Youth, and recently disconnected students to increase awareness of and participation in available services.
• Identify community resources and partnership opportunities that address educational, health, social, and basic needs and support referrals to appropriate district, local, regional, and state services.
• Support communication and coordination between schools, families, district departments, and community partners to connect students with educational supports, credit or high school recovery opportunities, and other services that reduce barriers to engagement and participation.

Program Administration & Continuous Improvement

• Collect, analyze, and communicate program participation and outcome data, including outreach, referrals, and engagement in assigned supplemental student support programs.
• Coordinate assigned grant activities, reporting requirements, contracts, communications, program documentation, and service coordination, including activities supported through migrant education and other supplemental funding sources.
• Prepare and share program updates, data, and recommendations with the Executive Director, Student Services Coordinator, and other district stakeholders as appropriate.
• Serve on district committees and perform other duties as assigned.

Professional Learning & Consultation

• Develop and provide training and technical assistance related to Native Education, unaccompanied youth, migrant education outreach and supports, youth engagement, and assigned Student Services initiatives.
• Serve as a resource to administrators and school staff regarding program procedures, available supports, and effective practices.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Human Services, Youth Development, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Family Studies, Recreation, or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in youth development, education, community engagement, family engagement, program coordination, student services, or related work.
• Experience coordinating programs, partnerships, grants, or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.
   

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Youth Development, Native Education, McKinney-Vento requirements related to unaccompanied youth, migrant education student outreach and support, community resources, culturally responsive practices, and FERPA.
• Ability to independently coordinate multiple programs and initiatives involving schools, families, students, and community partners, including targeted outreach and referral efforts for students who may experience barriers to participation.
• Ability to build partnerships, coordinate programs and events, facilitate groups, analyze program data, communicate effectively, and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to organize time and materials effectively.
• Ability to remain flexible and work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, parents and volunteers in a diverse environment.
• Ability to establish trust and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, staff, Tribal governments, and community partners.
• Ability to assess training needs and make recommendations.
• Ability to provide instructive direction in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to be flexible and open to new ideas, to coordinate multiple activities simultaneously, to work effectively under pressure, maintain a high level of productivity, and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to file materials accurately and efficiently.
• Ability to adhere to Clover Park School District policies and procedures, as well as state and federal regulations.
• Ability to multi-task, work in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development, positive youth development principles, and student engagement strategies.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive practices and the unique educational, social, and cultural needs of Native American/Alaska Native students and families.
• Knowledge of data collection, analysis, and reporting methods used to assess program outcomes and support decision-making.
• Skill in facilitating youth leadership programs, student groups, family engagement activities, and community events.
• Knowledge of general office procedures and procedure development.
• Knowledge and ability to use the following office equipment, computer, telephone, copier, fax and calculator.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Ability to exercise sound decision making skills.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and supporting programs, activities, and events.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES

• Valid Washington State Driver's License.
• Proof of automobile insurance.
• Successful completion of district background check and fingerprinting.
• Ability to obtain and maintain access to JBLM in compliance with the REAL ID Act and all applicable installation access requirements.
• First Aid and CPR certification within three (3) months of hire.