JOB DESCRIPTION STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST Job Purpose: To provide academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and general support to high school students, promoting a safe, inclusive, and positive school environment. The Student Support Specialist collaborates with staff, families, and community partners to help remove barriers to student success and ensure every student feels supported and empowered. Education-Based Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, social work, counseling, or related field (required) • Prior experience working with youth in a school or community-based setting (preferred) • CPR/First Aid Certification (preferred) • Bilingual skills (preferred) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The ideal candidate must demonstrate the following: • Ability to build rapport and maintain positive relationships with diverse students and families • Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills • Understanding of adolescent development and trauma-informed practices • Capacity to support positive behavior interventions and restorative practices • Ability to work effectively in a team and independently in a fast-paced school environment • Ability to maintain confidentiality and act with discretion • Familiarity with school-based support systems, student data tracking, and basic case management Job Duties and Responsibilities: • Provide academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support to students through individual and group check-ins • Monitor and support students with academic plans, attendance concerns, or behavioral goals • Collaborate with teachers, counselors, and administrators to identify students in need of additional support • Participate in intervention and support meetings to develop student-centered strategies • Support restorative conversations, mediation, and conflict resolution as needed • Assist with supervision of students during non-instructional times (e.g., lunch, passing periods, arrival/dismissal) • Maintain records of student interactions and document progress toward support goals • Communicate with families to build partnerships and share updates on student progress • Serve as a liaison between the school, students, families, and community resources • Support a positive school culture through mentoring, modeling expectations, and proactive engagement • Provide crisis support in collaboration with counseling and administrative teams Other Functions of the Job Include but Are Not Limited To: • Promote equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices in all student interactions • Attend staff meetings, professional development, and school events as required • Participate in wellness, attendance, and behavior support initiatives • Perform other related duties as assigned by school leadership Working Conditions (Physical Requirements and Environment): Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move items.