Job Details

Position Title: Homeless and Foster Care Education Specialist

Location: Anchorage School District

Position Type: Other/ Specialist Homeless Education Title I

Date Posted: 7/3/2025

Closing Date: 07/21/2025

Salary: ACE 7, step A - P ($45,514 - $65,643), DOE

Work Schedule: 188 days per year, 8 hours per day, full-time (1.0 FTE)

Benefits: Retirement through PERS

Job Summary

The Homeless and Foster Care Education Specialist serves as a liaison for homeless students, their families, and students in foster care, providing advocacy and access to services in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act under ESSA.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, education, or a related field.
• Familiarity with educational and community resources supporting homeless students and families.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with families in highly mobile and stressful situations.
• Personal transportation for family visits, meetings, outreach, and agency coordination.
• Computer and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, education, or related field.
• Three or more years of experience coordinating services for homeless youth and families.
• Knowledge of family homelessness dynamics and experience with families and children in crisis.
• Knowledge of Alaska's Child Welfare system.
• Ability to perform outreach and coordinate with district staff and community agencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive relationships.
• Ability to organize data and compile reports.

Essential Job Functions

• Determine homeless eligibility and assess family needs.
• Maintain contact with families to advocate and implement services and referrals.
• Coordinate with district staff, OCS, and community agencies to deliver services.
• Advocate for homeless families and foster care students by collaborating with various agencies.
• Facilitate communication among families, schools, OCS, and community agencies.
• Monitor student attendance bi-monthly.
• Design transportation plans for students.
• Maintain knowledge of community housing resources.
• Serve as a liaison to agencies as delegated.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports in CIT database.

Physical and Mental Demands

Frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking, and hearing. Visual acuity required. Ability to lift items less than 40 lbs. Effective communication and cognitive skills to handle instructions, recall facts, resolve conflicts, and make decisions under pressure. Ability to manage stress working with diverse populations.

Work Environment

Professional setting with diverse individuals. Exposure to outdoor weather conditions and moderate noise levels. Possible exposure to video displays.

Additional Information

This description is not exhaustive. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned. Employment contingent upon background check. May work on JBER military installations. The district is an Equal Opportunity Employer.