CAVA - McKinney Vento & Foster Specialist

Salary Range: $24.25 To $24.25 Hourly Application Deadline: Wednesday, August 19th, 2026 at 4:00pm ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA VIRTUAL ACADEMIES AND THE MCKINNEY VENTO AND FOSTER SPECIALIST POSITION: The California Virtual Academies (a network of 9 public charter schools) delivers online/virtual home based instruction to students in grades TK-12 in California. We use K12, inc. as our curriculum provider for the basis of instruction and teachers provide live instruction via the Engageli platform. While our schools do offer some scheduling flexibility, students are still required to log into the online school daily, complete coursework, and attend instructional sessions. The McKinney-Vento and Foster Specialist supports the development and implementation of supplemental programs and strategies designed to remove barriers to school access, increase student participation, strengthen school connections, and improve academic success for homeless and foster youth. This position utilizes data and referral information to identify support needs for homeless and foster students and collaborates with teachers, staff, administrators, students, and families to reduce barriers to participation and connect students with supplemental resources and supports that promote success in the educational program. Through outreach, communication, data analysis, family support, and engagement activities, this role helps ensure homeless and foster students have access to opportunities and support systems that promote positive academic outcomes. HOURS AND SALARY INFORMATION: Monday-Friday work hours between 8:00am-5:00pm. You are not allowed to have another job during these contracted hours. Hourly Rate: $24.25 All new hires are offered the first year/base salary amount. Salary is non-negotiable. We do participate in CalPERS. Please contact your CalPERS counselor about how employment with California Virtual Academies may affect your personal PERS account. Only full time employees are offered health, dental, and vision benefits. Benefits information is only given out upon offer. We do provide training for all programs and we have a great staff to serve as your support system. Job Description Job Title: McKinney Vento and Foster Specialist Reports To: Assistant Director, Engagement and Community; Lead McKinney Vento and Foster Specialist FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Department: Compass Overview: The McKinney Vento and Foster Specialist supports the development and implementation of supplemental programs and strategies designed to remove barriers to school access, increase student participation, strengthen school connections, and improve academic success for homeless and foster youth. This position utilizes data and referral information to identify support needs for homeless and foster students and collaborates with teachers, staff, administrators, students, and families to reduce barriers to participation and connect students with supplemental resources and supports that promote success in the educational program. Through outreach, communication, data analysis, family support, and engagement activities, this role helps ensure homeless and foster students have access to opportunities and support systems that promote positive academic outcomes. This Title I, Part A-funded position supports the Title I, Part A program and is aligned to the school’s approved Local Control Accountability Plan. The position addresses identified academic and/or family engagement needs, is intended to improve student academic achievement, and carries out duties consistent with Title I program requirements. Responsibilities for this position align with the school’s Title I schoolwide program and support the delivery of supplemental services within the virtual school setting. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Use enrollment, student engagement, attendance, participation, and academic data to identify needs, guide support strategies, monitor progress, and adjust interventions. Coordinate with the McKinney-Vento Liaison, state and county educational agencies, members of the Compass team, teachers, staff, and administrators to identify students with unstable housing and implement supplemental student support strategies to mitigate academic risk factors, disengagement, or barriers to participation. Develop and maintain program resources and websites to support homeless and foster student engagement, organization, access to instruction, and successful participation in the educational program. Develop and distribute email, newsletter, and outreach materials to keep homeless and foster students and families informed of their educational rights, available supports, and strategies for improving student participation and academic success. Provide families and students with supplemental community, social service, social-emotional, and school engagement information and resources that help reduce barriers interfering with school participation and learning. Provide supplemental onboarding support to newly enrolled homeless and foster students to reinforce the transition process led by teachers. Maintain detailed and accurate documentation of services provided, interventions implemented, family contacts, student participation, and follow-up actions. Attend meetings and training, as assigned, that support the implementation of the program, identify student needs, and the allowable uses of funds for the position. Support the coordination and administration of assessments, including make-up testing, in alignment with the Title I schoolwide program and to support student achievement. Participate in schoolwide activities, as assigned, when those activities support the approved program plan and the goals of the Title I schoolwide program. Perform other program-related duties, as assigned, that are consistent with the funding source, approved program plan, and allowable and intended uses of Title I, Part A funds. This position is fully funded through grant funds and is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds. Requirements/Experience: Must reside in the state of California. Previous experience working with at-risk populations. Preferred experience working with homeless and/or foster youth. Knowledgeable about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Assistance Act. Strong organizational skills. Detail-oriented. Ability to balance and complete multiple projects accurately and on time. Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and oral). Self-directed, but comfortable working as part of a team. Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Google Suite. Ability to attend virtual and in-person training, as needed. Ability to travel to events, as needed. Certificates and Licenses : Bachelor’s Degree (desired) Competencies: Adaptability: Accepts criticism and feedback; Adapts to changes in the work environment; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Manages competing demands; Inspires the trust of others; Keeps commitments; Treats people with respect; Upholds organizational values; Works with integrity and ethically. Communications: Exhibits good listening and comprehension; Expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; Keeps others adequately informed; Selects and uses appropriate communication methods. Dependability: Commits to doing the best job possible; Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Keeps commitments; Meets attendance and punctuality guidelines; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Takes responsibility for own actions. Job Knowledge: Competent in required job skills and knowledge; Displays understanding of how job relates to others; Exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; Keeps abreast of current developments; Requires minimal supervision; Uses resources effectively. Planning & Organization: Integrates changes smoothly; Plans for additional resources; Prioritizes and plans work activities; Sets goals and objectives; Uses time efficiently; Works in an organized manner. Quality: Applies feedback to improve performance; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Displays commitment to excellence; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Monitors own work to ensure quality. Use of Technology: Adapts to new technologies; Demonstrates required skills; Keeps technical skills up to date; Troubleshoots technological problems; Uses technology to increase productivity. Computer Skills : To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; and experience using a student information system and/or other types of database software. Experience moderating web meetings for small and large groups. Supervisory Responsibilities : This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Work Environment : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is a virtual position working from a home office. Must have ability to travel throughout the school year within and between assigned geographic areas to support students, attend regularly scheduled meetings, proctor state exams and participate in school activities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. Restrictions on Time Off : Professional Development : No days off during assigned professional development days. Launch: No more than two days off per calendar week during fall and spring launch (August; January/February). Testing : No more than two consecutive days off during weeks of make-up testing (mid-May to the end of the school year). End of Year: Dates between June 10 th and June 15 th are approved based on completion of end-of-year tasks. * Use of sick time under the California Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 may be approved during the above restricted dates The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor. Attachments (1) Classified Hourly Salary Schedule 25-26.pdf