Job Description

Position / Title: Project Access SpecialistBargaining Unit: NON-UNIONDepartment/Location: Department of Diversity, Equity, & InclusionCalendar Days: 261Reports To: Family & Community Engagement CoordinatorJD Revision Date: 05/09/2025Supervises: N/A

Function / Position Summary

The Project Access Specialist acts as a bridge between McKinney-Vento families, the school district, and community agencies, ensuring that eligible students receive the educational services they are entitled to, as well as referrals to medical, mental health, dental, tutoring, and other essential support services.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

1. Support comprehensive needs of McKinney-Vento children and enroll them in appropriate school programs.
2. Collaborate with other school/community personnel to ensure that McKinney-Vento families and children receive education services for which they are eligible.
3. Coordinate transportation arrangements to ensure students can attend appropriate school programs.
4. Facilitate the acquisition of health services and other services appropriate for the McKinney-Vento children.
5. Communicate internally with departments to ensure proper transition of students into school curricular or co-curricular programs.
6. Advocate for the McKinney-Vento families and children, informing them and others of their rights under the Illinois Education for Homeless Children Act.
7. Maintain paperwork, track expenses as indicated by the grant and work with Grants Coordinator to ensure the necessary documents are kept for audit purposes.
8. Conduct training and professional development to enhance awareness and understanding of McKinney-Vento program requirements and best practices.
9. Represent unaccompanied youth to help them secure necessary benefits and services.
10. Other duties as assigned

Education

• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Bilingual - English and Spanish (written/verbal) preferred.

Experience / Knowledge

1. Knowledge of laws and policies
2. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
3. State and District policies and regulations
4. Ability to maintain accurate records of services provided to ensure District compliance with the McKinney-Vento Act and state regulations.
5. Strong written and verbal communication for engaging with students, families, school staff, and community partners.
6. Capacity to work respectfully and effectively with families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
7. Knowledge of challenges such as frequent school moves, lack of transportation, and limited

Physical Demands

1. Indoors in a busy environment with exposure to constant communication.
2. Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
3. May be required to leave the main work site to attend meetings.
4. Potential for being asked to travel in order to maintain the skills necessary to perform the job functions effectively.
5. Ability to work in a very fast paced and stressful environment.

Terms of Employment

• This is a 12-month position. Salary and benefits as established by the Board of Education.
• The salary range for this position is $49,787.00 - $74,680.00. Our typical practice is to hire in between the minimum and midpoint ($62,234.00).