Program Specialist

HOPE Community Academy

Saint Paul, MN

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JOB DETAILS

SALARY

$60,000–$65,000 Per Year

SKILLS

Affordable Housing, Alliance/Partner Management, Cafeteria, Case Management, Coaching, Communication Skills, Community Relations, Community and Social Services, Continuous Improvement, Customer Support/Service, Diversity, Documentation, Financial Literacy, Healthcare, Hmong Languages, Leadership, Multilingual, Needs Assessment, Nonprofit, Organizational Skills, Philosophy, Problem Solving Skills, Program Evaluation, Project/Program Management, Psychiatry and Mental Health, Public Administration, Social Work, Sociology, Strategic Planning, Student Conduct, Student Services, Trend Analysis

LOCATION

Saint Paul, MN

POSTED

5 days ago

Position Type:
Student Support Services

Date Posted:
4/15/2026

Location:
Administration
Program Specialist

This position will be for the 2026/2027 School Year and will start on July 1, 2026.

ABOUT HOPE COMMUNITY ACADEMY

HOPE Community Academy is an accredited, public co-educational charter school comprising primary, intermediate, middle school, and high school levels. The entire school community seeks to provide a safe and trusting learning environment where each student is valued and challenged to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Mission:

To inspire students to achieve high academic success while embracing Hmong language and culture.

Vision:

To be a public school of excellence, with high quality staff, diverse programs, and successful students.

Culture statement reflects who we are:

HOPE is a safe space where all feel valued, empowered, and inspired. Learning at HOPE promotes cultural appreciation, character, and lifelong growth. Our scholars leave ready to lead with purpose and contribute to their community.

HOPE's Values:

High-Impact; Scholar-Focused; Sense of Belonging; Leadership; and Joyful Excellence:

Our work for the next two years is illustrated in our 2026-2028 Strategic plan focused on four priorities - Radical Growth, Stabilizing Operational Systems, Being Data-Centered, and Building Community Impact. All employees are expected to operate with high impact to continue improving the experiences of HOPE's community.

Position Title:

Program Specialist

Salary Range:

$60,000.00 - $65,000.00

Reports To:

Program Manager

Status:

Exempt, Full-Time

40+ hours a week

Contract Type:

11 month contract

One (1) week off in June

One (1) week off in August.

Two (2) weeks off in December

One (1) week off for Spring Break.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

As HOPE continues to build strong relationships with our community and transitions into a Full-Service Community School, partnerships with families and the broader community are essential to this transformation. This framework recognizes that when families' basic needs are met, they are better positioned to actively participate in their children's academic journey. Therefore, HOPE holds a direct responsibility to ensure that families are equipped to navigate culturally responsive, wraparound services that address their needs - such as workforce development, income stability, affordable housing, health and wellness, and mental health support.

The Program Specialist plays a critical role in advancing this work by partnering directly with families to identify their needs and connect them to appropriate community resources. Through this work, the Program Specialist ensures that HOPE families are supported holistically, enabling them to thrive and meaningfully engage in their children's education.

Grounded in HOPE's philosophy of removing barriers to access, the Program Specialist is responsible for minimizing obstacles that may prevent scholars and families from fully engaging in a high-quality education. This role helps position HOPE as a trusted, one-stop hub where families can access essential services, build stability, and strengthen their connection to the school community.

While the School Social Worker primarily supports scholars in navigating their individual needs and often engages families as part of that process, the Program Specialist primarily supports families in navigating their needs, while also engaging scholars when appropriate to ensure alignment and holistic support.

PRIMARY DUTIES

Family Engagement & Support. Build strong, trusting relationships with families to understand their needs, strengths, and goals. Serve as a primary point of contact for families seeking support and guidance, ensuring they feel welcomed, respected, and empowered within the HOPE community.

Needs Assessment & Case Management. Conduct ongoing needs assessments with families to identify barriers related to housing, employment, health, and overall well-being. Develop individualized support plans and provide case management to ensure families receive consistent and effective support.

Community Resource Navigation. Connect families to culturally responsive, community-based resources and services, including workforce development, housing assistance, healthcare, and mental health services. Support families in navigating systems and accessing services effectively.

Partnership Development. Build and maintain strong partnerships with community organizations, service providers, and agencies to expand available resources for HOPE families. Ensure partnerships are aligned with the needs of the school community.

Home Visits. Lead efforts to increase home visits to better understand family dynamics and scholars' experiences beyond the school setting. Use these insights to strengthen relationships, increase engagement, and support scholar success. Conduct home visits not only for students needing additional support, but also to build community, celebrate students, and reinforce positive connections.

Data-Driven Practices. Maintain accurate documentation of family engagement, services provided, and outcomes. Utilize data to monitor trends, assess program effectiveness, and inform continuous improvement efforts.

Program Implementation. Support the planning and execution of family-centered programs, workshops, and events that promote stability, empowerment, and engagement (e.g., financial literacy, job readiness, health awareness).

Barrier Reduction. Identify systemic barriers that impact families' ability to engage in their child's education and proactively develop strategies to remove or reduce those barriers.

Collaboration with School Staff. Work closely with school leadership, teachers, counselors, and support staff to align family support services with student academic and social-emotional needs.

Advocacy. Advocate for families to ensure equitable access to resources and services. Promote culturally responsive practices that affirm and respect the diverse backgrounds of HOPE's community.

REQUIREMENTS

A Bachelors in social work, human services, public administration or sociology is required. Someone with a school social worker, LISW or LSW is highly preferred.
5 years of experience working with families and communities in education, nonprofit, or social service settings.
5 years of experience in a case management position, with detail experience in case noting and followup.
Strong understanding of community resources and social service systems
Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse populations
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
Commitment to equity, cultural responsiveness, and holistic family support
Experience with EDUClimber, FASTBridge, or similar data platforms strongly preferred.
Experience with Hmong language programs, bilingual education, or multilingual learner programming preferred.
Ability to partner with teachers and provide coaching and support to teachers regarding student behavior.
Ability to do home visits and build relationships with families, students, and the community.
Deep commitment to educational equity, cultural responsiveness, and HOPE's mission and strategic priorities.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and community-engagement skills.
Ability to interact effectively with scholars, families, and staff of diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Duties are performed in a school environment; school building is a multi-level building that has an elevator and is accessible. May involve movement throughout the building to support scholars in classrooms, common areas, hallways, and offices. Possible exposure to loud environments (e.g., hallways during passing periods, cafeteria, gymnasium). Some evening hours may be required for school events, family engagement activities, and cultural programs.

Note: Nothing in this job description restricts school's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. It does not alter the "at will" employment relationship between the school and the employee.

EEO Statement: Hope Community Academy is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are valued, respected, and have equal opportunities for advancement. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status

About the Company

HOPE Community Academy

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