Homeless Specialist

Pending approval of the SY26 McKinney-Vento by TDOE and HCS Board.

Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits.  We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County. 

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030. 

The purpose of this job is to assist the Homeless Liaison carry out services to homeless children and youth.

• Acts in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner at all times. 
• Creates a customer-focused climate and provides quality services and support to school and other stakeholders.
• Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures. 
• Attends work and arrives to work on time.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
• Help families and youth access education and other ARP services, such as shelter, utilities, housing and rental assistance, childcare, Head Start, unemployment, and tax credits
• Participate in and lead training on the identification of homelessness. 
• Facilitate the organization of required recording keeping throughout the identification and support processes, including, but not limited to, residency forms, investigation documentation, categorizing homeless situations appropriately, maintaining district databases, etc.
• Assist homeless liaisons and school leaders in determining the best interest of the child or youth, to the extent feasible. to keep child or youth in the school of origin, unless it is against the wishes of the parent/guardian.
• Assist homeless liaisons and school leaders in expediting enrollment of homeless children or youth even if the child lacks records normally required for enrollment. 
• Ensure information on each homeless child and youth is entered immediately in the state mandated student database.
• Coordinate community support for resources for identified homeless students under the direction of the LEA homeless liaison 
• Facilitate needs assessments of families living in homelessness under the direction of the LEA homeless liaison. 
• Maintain and fulfill requests from school homeless liaisons for resources or services needed for identified homeless students or families 
• Assist in organizing supply closets, food pantries, hygiene kits, etc., for identified homeless students. 
• Follow LEA financial procedures in obtaining resources needed by identified homeless students under the direction of the LEA homeless liaison. 
• Use effective and professional communication skills when interacting with stakeholders, including families of students living in homelessness 
• Notify child nutrition upon identification of homeless students. 
• Assist homeless liaisons and school leaders in ensuring that transportation is provided, at the request of the parent or guardian or unaccompanied youth to and from the school of origin.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times
• Attends meetings as needed.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence as required.
• The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Knowledge/Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent, Bachelor’s Degree in related fields preferred. 
• 1-2 years proven work experience in conflict resolution and supporting the development of policies and procedures to assist with the district’s mission. Or, any equivalent combination of education, certifications, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position
• Knowledge and ability to plan, organize, control, and direct the programs, activities, and operations of athletic programs and discipline programs.
  
  

Skills/Qualifications:

• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills to deal effectively with students, Board members, educators, parents, and community members.  
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. 
• Demonstrate excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines. 
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances and policies.
  
  

Compensation:
Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.
Minimum Salary - Grade E
Salary Scale