DEFINITION The Student Specialist, in consultation and cooperation with school and community professionals, assesses and defines problems that interfere with a student’s ability and potential to succeed at school, and plans and develops appropriate strategies and support services to assist the student. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Student Specialist works with elementary students and functions as a personal advocate and an intermediary in seeking prevention and solutions to problems that get in the way of learning and personal growth. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Works under the general supervision of the school principal. May train and deploy yard supervisors to meet the needs of students. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS • Monitors student attendance. •Develops and promotes incentive plans to improve actual attendance of all students. •Meets with appropriate school personnel study team to discuss and exchange strategies for intervention and preventative measures for children having attendance and/or dysfunctional behavior problems. •Provides advice to students experiencing emotional or health related crisis situations and communicates with parents/guardians, crisis intervention services, and other appropriate agencies to bring about solutions. •Assists in the development of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) and 504 plans. •Monitors the implementation of the BIP’s and 504 . •Contacts parents/guardians to resolve attendance, behavior, or health problems; makes home visits and schedules student/parent/teacher conferences as needed. •Explains community resources, programs, and services to families in need and assists with linking parents to appropriate services/programs. •Consults and collaborates with school personnel to promote a school environment responsive to the special problems and needs of students, including but not limited to peer pressure, social/ethnic/cultural differences. •Composes written correspondence and reports related to duties. •Uses computer to enter, store, and retrieve student data and work-related communications. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Knowledge of: •social and health services and community resources and service delivery systems; •individual and group behavior and effects of social and economic forces on students; •social-economic, cultural, and ethnic profile and differences of students at school to which assigned; •strategies for improving attendance; •strategies for improving home-school relations; •factors affecting “at risk” students; •correct English usage, orally and in writing; •basic computer operations. Ability to: •gather information through observation and interviewing, and identify from it student problems and needs; •listen to students with patience and develop rapport to encourage free communication and acceptance of positive intervention; •communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in both Spanish and English with students, parents, teachers and school/District officials, and with social and health services agents; •analyze facts and information and draw accurate conclusions; •develop constructive solutions to problems, including applicable resources and strategies; •coordinate in collaboration with others as needed, plans and activities to foster a better understanding of juvenile problems and ways to resolve them; •keep accurate records and prepare clear and concise correspondence and narrative reports using personal computer; •maintain confidentiality of student/family information. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be: Education: Equivalent to Associate Degree in child development or a related field. Experience:Two (2) years of related experience. Evidence of working successfully with students and families. LICENSE/AUTOMOBILE Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license Possession of personal automobile for work. WORKING CONDITIONS Environment:Office/school environment; subject to working irregular hours, including occasional evening or weekend work. Physical Abilities:Hearing and speaking to exchange oral information and make verbal presentations; vision to read and to observe students; sitting for prolonged periods of time; driving a vehicle to conduct home visits. Hazards:Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals. Adopted: 05/02/01