Program Specialist V (Re-Engagement Navigator) - Student Support Section

Program Specialist V (SR-24) Salary Range: All new external applicants will be placed on the initial step of the salary range. Placement above the initial step of the salary range is based on special characteristics and critical needs of the position, an applicant’s exceptional qualifications, the availability of funds, 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. Program Specialist V, SR-24: $6,043.00 - $7,351.00 per month. Responsibilities Help identify students who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out, and assist in guidance to available pathways. This includes finding and contacting recent high school dropouts about alternative education placements or pathways and connecting them to support. Work with school staff as appropriate, determine a student’s current credit status and appropriate pathway options. If re-enrollment in HIDOR is not a viable option, connect with other educational institutions including Adult Education, the University of Hawaii System, and local agencies providing education and training alternatives. Locate, purchase and provide access to appropriate online systems that will allow students to earn a diploma, and provide academic support to assist students in accessing and attending those online options. Provide timely and relevant guidance to students, families or caregivers in the pursuit of all available options. Assist in the identification of unaccompanied homeless youth. Assist in the identification of students who are not actively enrolled and attending the Hawaii Department of Education, and want to re‑engage. Develop relationships with alternative education and training programs and high schools for the purpose of referral and systems building with the goal of prevention and diversion from dropping out. Network with existing efforts to reach out to disconnected youth. Document and track critical information on interviewees who have left school without a diploma. Contribute to the development of processes for tracking data, both before placement and after, to monitor students’ progress. Capture the stories and perspectives of dropouts through interviews and focus groups. Participate in the ongoing analysis of the needs of the dropout population and the education options available to help assess whether the current supply of programming matches the need. Organize and maintain data on students who are returning to the Hawaii Department of Education, communicate with colleges and plan communications from specific faculty for re‑engagement. Assist in locating resources/learning pathways available from state, federal, county, and private agencies to meet the needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Minimum Qualifications Prerequisite Knowledge and Abilities Required: In addition to knowledge and abilities required at the IV level, knowledge of effective work organization and staff utilization; and, ability to plan, assign, review and evaluate the work of others; and organize and coordinate operational activities. Basic Education Requirement: Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree. Experience Requirements: Applicants must have progressively responsible experience of the kind and quality described below. Substitutions of experience for education are allowed on a year‑for‑year basis when the experience is of equivalent scope, level, and quality. Specialized Experience: Three and one‑half (3½) years of progressively responsible professional experience in one or a combination of the following: planning, coordination, development and/or evaluation of programs; conducting studies and analyses of programs or projects; and performing professional work concerning program interrelationships, effectiveness, or intra‑program integration. Experience must demonstrate a high degree of analytical skill, the ability to identify information needs, collect and analyze data, and develop logical recommendations for a course of action, as well as the ability to read, comprehend and interpret complex material such as state statutes and/or federal regulations and draft comprehensive reports of findings and conclusions. Applicants must possess experience independently performing the full range of program planning, development and evaluation activities for an agency’s program or program activities. 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, and National Guard participation, as well as on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability, 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. Benefits Holidays: 13 paid holidays each year; 14 holidays during an election year. Vacation: Employees of Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 13 earn 21 days per year. Sick Leave: Employees of Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 13 earn 21 days per year. Accumulated unused credits may be used toward computing retirement benefits. Health Insurance: If eligible, the State pays a portion of the premiums for each employee’s enrollment in a State‑sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plan. Group Life Insurance: The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees and retirees. Premium Conversion Plan: Participating employees may increase their take‑home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld. Flexible Spending Accounts: Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social‑security taxes through a tax‑saving benefit program called Island Flex, which allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out‑of‑pocket health‑care expenses and eligible dependent‑care expenses on a BEFORE‑TAX basis. Retirement Plan: The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees with at least 10 years of credited service and who have reached 62 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and are 55 years old may retire and receive benefits. Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA): If eligible, Department employees are able to participate in a tax shelter annuity program. The TSA plan allows eligible employees to contribute pre‑tax dollars to an employee‑selected investment service provider authorized to provide TSA products. Deferred Compensation: The State offers employees a tax‑deferred (sheltered) retirement investment program. Several investment options are available. Temporary Disability Insurance: Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non‑work related injury or illness under this program. Social Security: As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee’s social security account. Workers’ Compensation: If an employee is injured while on the job, benefits covering medical expenses and partial wage support may be available through workers’ compensation. Union & Collective Bargaining: Employees have the right to join the union for collective bargaining with the State and employee representation. Some employee unions provide discounts, insurance, and other opportunities. Employees may also decide not to join a union, however, employees are required to pay union service fees unless the employee’s job is excluded from collective bargaining. #J-18808-Ljbffr Hawaiʻi State Department of Education