Federal Programs Specialist (Temporary) at StrongMind, Inc. – Chandler, Arizona

Job Title: Federal Programs Specialist
Location: Hybrid
Reports to: Dena Morgan, Director of Graduation and Student Success
Employment Type: Full-Time

About Primavera Online School

Primavera Online School is an accredited, tuition-free public charter school serving students across Arizona for more than 25 years. We specialize in flexible, student-centered online education designed to meet learners where they are—academically, emotionally, and socially.

We believe every student deserves access to an education that adapts to their life, not the other way around. At Primavera, we support diverse learners, empower families, and partner closely with educators to create personalized learning experiences that drive real outcomes. Our work is grounded in care, accountability, and a deep commitment to helping students succeed—both in school and beyond.

As a fully remote organization, we value clear communication, collaboration, and ownership. You’ll find a mission-driven team that takes its responsibility to students seriously while supporting one another as professionals and humans.

The Team You Will Join

As a Federal Programs Specialist, you’ll be part of the Graduation and Student Success team, working closely with school counselors, social workers, and school leadership to support student success. You will serve as a liaison between federal program requirements and student support initiatives, helping ensure students and families have access to the resources they need.

You’ll collaborate with counseling and student support teams to coordinate services for students who may qualify for additional support, including those experiencing homelessness under McKinney-Vento, students in foster care, migrant students, and students connected to military families. Together, the team works to remove barriers to learning and provide timely support services.

The Difference You Will Make

As a Federal Programs Specialist, you will ensure that students and families have access to critical supports and resources that remove barriers to learning. Your work will directly impact students experiencing homelessness, foster care, migrant circumstances, or military-connected transitions by coordinating services and connecting them with the help they need. By bridging federal programs with counseling and student support services, you help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

A Typical Day Looks Like

While no two days are exactly the same, you can expect to:

• Review federal program data and student eligibility lists to identify students in need of additional supports (e.g., homelessness, foster care, migrant students, military-connected students).
• Collaborate with school counselors, social workers, and administrators to plan and coordinate student support services.
• Communicate with families to provide guidance and connect them to resources.
• Track program documentation and ensure compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Prepare reports for federal and state monitoring and program evaluation.
• Participate in team meetings to align services, review progress, and troubleshoot student needs.
• Balance direct problem-solving with strategic planning to ensure federal programs support student success.

This role balances independent work, collaboration, problem-solving, and execution and is well-suited for someone who enjoys supporting students, managing details, communicating clearly, and contributing to systems that improve student outcomes.

Your Expertise Includes

We are seeking a candidate who can combine knowledge of federal programs with a strong commitment to supporting students and families. The ideal person:

• Education:
• • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Public Administration, Social Work, or a related field (required)
• Experience:
• • Experience in K–12 education, student support services, or program administration
  • Familiarity with federal programs, including compliance, reporting, and program evaluation
  • Experience coordinating with school counselors, social workers, or community agencies
• Skills and Knowledge:
• • Understanding of federal regulations, such as McKinney-Vento, migrant education, foster care, and military-connected student services
  • Strong organizational, communication, and data management skills
  • Ability to analyze data and prepare compliance reports
  • Experience with family engagement and resource coordination

Bonus points if you also have:

• Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Counseling, or related field
• Experience supporting students in homelessness, foster care, migrant, or military-connected situations
• Knowledge of federal programs and compliance requirements
• Background in all K–12 or online education
• Strong skills in data tracking, reporting, and cross-team collaboration

Our Commitment to Inclusion & Belonging

At Primavera Online School, we serve a richly diverse student population—and we believe our team should reflect that same diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful workplace where all team members feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best work. Diverse ideas strengthen our school, improve outcomes for students, and help us better serve the families and communities who rely on us.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply, and we strive to create an environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging and purpose.

How We’ll Take Care of You

We believe that supporting our team members is essential to supporting our students. At Primavera, care, balance, and well-being are part of how we operate—not extras.

Our commitment to you includes:

• A competitive total compensation package, including medical, dental, vision, and voluntary benefits
• Well-being support that fits real life—from virtual wellness programs and wellness coaching to flexible work options for select roles
• Generous PTO options, including unlimited PTO for exempt roles and “life happens” days when flexibility is needed
• A fully paid holiday week off at Christmas to rest, reset, and recharge
• Recognition and rewards that celebrate birthdays, meaningful milestones, and the important work you do for students and families
• Quarterly Town Halls to keep communication transparent, aligned, and human
• Annual events and traditions that help us stay connected as a remote school community

We’re intentional about creating a workplace where people feel supported, respected, and proud of the impact they make—every day.