Direct Student Support Specialist

Job Title: Direct Student Support Specialist

Supervisor: Director of School Achievement and Success

Salary Schedule: Classified Salary Schedule/Grade 24

Terms of Employment: 195 Day

JOB SUMMARY:

The Direct Student Support Specialist is dedicated to identifying specific barriers to student success and implementing targeted interventions to address these needs. This role provides intervention services that focus on academic, attendance, and behavioral challenges, ensuring each student receives tailored support.

ESSENTIAL/PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct Student Support:

• Provide intervention services as necessary, targeting academic, attendance, and behavioral challenges.

• Identify ongoing barriers to student success (academics, attendance, behavior, etc.)

• Coordinating with all stakeholders (teachers, admin, families, external supports) to provide comprehensive support to students.

• Develop, implement, and monitor support plans, conducting regular assessments to adjust interventions as needed.

• Conduct regular check-ins with identified students and families to assess progress and adjust plans as necessary.

• Assists in providing services to students eligible for the McKinney Vento and Migrant programs and coordinates with equity social worker.

OTHER/SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPSONSIBILITIES:

Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to cross-training and potentially filling the following roles if and when necessary:

• Identification and Intake:

• Review student data to identify at-risk students based on various criteria, including chronic absenteeism.

• Conduct McKinney-Vento intake processes.

• Refer students to appropriate interventions and supports, coordinating with various stakeholders.

• Assist in identifying priority for service (PFS).

• Assist in identifying and providing services to our children experiencing homelessness or unaccompanied youth.

• Assist in the coordination with staff to obtain information required for Migrant student evaluation.

• Home Visitation:

• Conduct home visits to engage with families and understand educational barriers.

• Provide families with resources and information to support student/family needs.

• Collaborate with school staff to develop tailored support plans based on home visit insights.

• Follow up with families to monitor progress and offer additional support as needed.

• Community Support and Coordination:

• Complete attendance contracts with students between 10% and 15% chronic absenteeism.

• Complete referrals to JPO for students at or exceeding 20% chronic absenteeism.

• Participate in JPO meetings at school sites district office, and JPO office.

• Build relationships and partnerships with external agencies to support students and families with additional needs.

• Coordinate resources and support services for students/families in need.

• Networks with community and district resources to represent the programs.

• Assist with compliance of McKinney Vento act; coordinate services with other agencies, remove enrollment barriers, referrals to healthcare, dental services, mental health, educational program and other appropriate services, ensures parents of informed of the educational and related opportunities available to their children.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, or related field preferred.

• Bilingual (Spanish speaking and writing) preferred

• Possess valid driver's license and driving record acceptable to the District for insurance purposes.

• Ability to become certified to transport students

• Experience in educational settings, social services, or community engagement.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Family Engagement Strategies

• Educational Systems and Policies

• Community Resources

• Data Analysis

• Microsoft Office Suite

• Knowledgeable about the rules, regulations and laws for McKinney Vento, Migrant and At-Risk grants and programs.

ABILITY TO:

• Think analytically

• Problem Solve

• Engage with technology

• Collaborate with team members

• Communicate with various stakeholders

• Manage and organize projects

• Adaptable

• Maintains and safeguards confidentiality

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, or related field preferred.

• Equivalent to graduation from High School required.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized

Physical Requirements

Walking, standing, sitting, bending, kneeling, and squatting, climbing stairs, speaking and listening, reaching with hands and arms, having full mobility of fingers/hands to finger, handle or feel, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus, carrying, lifting, and moving up to 25 pounds and/or moving light furniture may be required.

Reasonable (ADA) accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions if mutually agreed on and if those accommodations do not create an undue hardship upon the district.

Work Environment

Must be able to work within various degrees of noise and temperature. Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision. After-hours work may be required. May make site visits as needed. May work under stressful conditions on occasion.

Revised April 2024