Student Support Specialist

Englewood Schools • Denver, CO

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Student Support Specialist works to maximize student success by identifying and addressing social, emotional, behavioral, and environmental barriers to learning. Acting as a bridge between the classroom, the home, and the community, this professional provides targeted interventions, crisis de-escalation, and systemic support to foster a safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed school climate. This position requires collaboration with teachers, active involvement with school staff, and engagement with parents/guardians regarding steps to support and improve students' development as they move toward adulthood. Candidates must be able to design and implement research-based programs and interventions to ensure that students receive the most up-to-date, proven techniques. Additional responsibilities include: acting as a liaison between students, teachers, and parents/guardians; advocating for at-risk youth and families; and developing and promoting strong community relations among stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master's degree
• Currently hold a CDE license and endorsement in Counseling, Social Work, or School Psychologist.
• Valid Colorado Driver's License required.
• Current First Aid and CPR (or obtained within the first six months of employment).
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in response to change.
• Possesses computer and technology skills.
• Effectively works with students from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Collaborates well with supervisors and co-workers.
• Capable of understanding and following both complex oral and written instructions.
• Able to perform duties independently with minimal supervision.
• Communicates effectively with the School District community.
• Skilled in analysis, instruction, negotiation, coordination, communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal interactions.
• Proficient in comparing, computing, synthesizing, and evaluating information.
• Meets attendance standards and works the necessary hours to fulfill essential responsibilities.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Upholds a generally positive attitude.
• Complies with all District policies and procedures.
• Adheres to federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.
• Occasional jogging/running.
• Frequent lifting of ten (10) to twenty (20) pounds.
• Frequent sitting, bending, walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, squatting, and reaching.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual (preferred).
• Proven experience developing and implementing a comprehensive Social/Emotional program.
• Experience providing mental health support in an educational setting.
• Ability to develop positive working relationships, build rapport, and motivate both co-workers and students.
• Cultural competency: appreciation, embracing, and valuing of diversity
• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and independent decision-making skills.
• Ability to function as a team player and to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a shared-decision-making environment.
• Capability to function as an independent, self-motivated, and self-reliant self-starter who initiates appropriate actions and strategies and can work successfully without constant direction and close supervision.
• Ability to function effectively in hectic and fast-paced work environments through prioritization of multiple, and sometimes conflicting, demands in order to meet established deadlines.
• Knowledge about Englewood, Englewood Public Schools, and the target population.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement social/emotional programming as a core component of a comprehensive school counseling program with identified, research-based strategies to increase graduation rates.
• Assist elementary school students and families in the areas of academic achievement, school success (attendance, behavior, personal, and social issues), and life-skills (e.g., organization skills, time management, individual and social responsibility, and work ethic) that impact school performance.
• Design and implement individualized intervention plans with specific strategies (including advising, counseling, and mentoring programs and services) to address the needs of targeted students and their families/caregivers.
• Design and implement instructional activities, materials, and strategies in classrooms, workshops, summer programs, and other appropriate settings.
• Monitor students' progress toward completion of course requirements and keep appropriate school personnel, parents, and guardians informed of any problems or special conditions.
• Administer surveys and data collection procedures to targeted students and interpret and record results.
• Deliver a wide range of direct teacher and parent activities and services.
• Identify and process student/family referrals to appropriate educational, social, and other support services in the school, district, and community for students and their parents and families.
• Maintain accurate data, records, and case management files to document all activities conducted and services provided.
• Actively participate in all staff meetings, PLCs, and other required events.
• Apply and implement knowledge, skills, and new understandings to improve instructional programming.
• Advocate for and lead initiatives that will enhance student success in and out of school.
• Use the professional Code of Ethics and standards of practice to guide ethical decision-making in practice.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• medical, dental, and vision insurance
• pre-tax savings options through Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), with monthly District contributions for HSA.
• short and long-term disability programs are 100% covered
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides counseling and support services
• wellness programs are designed to promote a healthy lifestyle.
• comprehensive retirement plan through the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA)
• additional retirement savings options including 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans.
• Optional voluntary plans are also available for life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, cancer, and accidents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level