Summary Description:

The Student Support Specialist plays a crucial role in assisting with the implementation and management of the student support program at an assigned school(s). The Specialist develops and implements prevention and intervention strategies, assesses student and family needs, provides case management, and monitors student progress to ensure academic and personal success.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required in specialized student support or related fields. 
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Leadership skills preferred.
• Experience with data-driven decision-making and documentation.
• Knowledge of community resources and referral processes for students and families.
• Demonstrated ability to implement interventions to support non-academic barriers to student success.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Positive, relationship-focused attitude.
• Strong work ethic.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills.
• Caring and engaging personality.
• Willingness to participate and provide professional learning in areas necessary to support students and families.
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including students, staff, and external agencies.

Essential Duties:

Essential duties are interpreted as being descriptive and not restrictive in nature.  Other duties may be assigned. 

• Collaborate with administrators, counselors, social workers, teachers, and other building staff to develop intervention and prevention strategies for students and develop student intervention plans to facilitate achievement.
• Support school-wide implementation of Positive Behavior Supports, including Check In-Check-out and Positive Behavior Support Plans.
• Work with outside agencies in the Winchester/Frederick County area as appropriate to support individual student needs.
• Coordinate Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) meetings to support students and families.
• Attend parent meetings with school personnel as scheduled.
• Effectively communicate with students, staff, and parents.
• Use academic, behavioral, and attendance data to prepare schedules and coordinate interventions.
• Assist with implementing the Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) team for the assigned school(s).
• Coordinate individual and group counseling in areas of crisis intervention, family intervention, problem-solving/decision-making, conflict mediation, substance abuse, grief, and anger management.
• Provide families with information related to the needs of their child and act as a resource to parents/guardians by providing family support activities and community-based resources.
• Serve as a liaison between the assigned school(s) and agencies such as social services, court services, community services, and community-based mental health agencies regarding social-emotional concerns affecting a student’s progress in the academic environment.
• Maintain necessary records and reports ensuring confidentiality of students and their families.
• Coordinate with assigned schools’ Bright Futures liaison to support families’ basic needs. 
• Support students and families through the Family Assessment Planning Team (FAPT) process, including presenting cases before the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), Children in Need of Services (CHINS), Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP), and court services.
• Assist schools with obtaining signatures on critical documentation, addressing residency concerns, and managing attendance-related issues.
• Attend court proceedings on behalf of the school administration, working closely with the court system to address compulsory attendance and accountability issues.
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Pay Rate:

Teacher Salary Scale (credit is based on years of full-time experience in a related position)

Contract:
Full time / 11 months / 220 days

Start Date:

These positions are effective immediately