Student Support Specialist

2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR

ANTICIPATED START DATE: AUGUST 20, 2024

POSITION:

Student Support Specialist

SCHEDULE:

8 hours per day; 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (start/end times may be adjusted based on student/building need); Monday-Friday; School Year

LOCATION:

Westwood Middle School

SUPERVISOR:

Building Principal(s)

POSITION TYPE:

Classified, Ongoing

COMPENSATION:

$22.77-$27.43/hour depending on comparable experience; Pay is annualized over 12 months (if hired after start of school year, spread over remaining months of fiscal year (Sept-Aug))

• Degrees eligible for a salary enhancement as follows, regardless of degree program or position with the district (cannot be stacked in the case of multiple degrees (highest degree stipend will be applied))
• AA, BA, MA degree, or PhD, adds $0.50/hour, $1.00/hour, $1.50/hour, $2.00/hour, respectively*

BENEFITS:

Medical, dental, vision, and basic life and AD&D insurance; retirement plan; deferred compensation (DRS and TSA); paid holidays; paid leave

QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelors Degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related field; Current first aid/CPR card (training may be provided by District); WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

Documentation will be required upon hire

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Student Support Specialists are an integral part of the learning and teaching team. The Student Support Specialist provides instruction, interventions, and supervision to students who have been removed from the regular classroom. The Student Support Specialist assists with de-escalating students, facilitates restorative conferences, and helps students address issues that must be resolved for them to successfully return to the classroom. The specialist also serves as an important part of the building student response/crisis team.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The person in this assignment may perform all or some of the responsibilities defined below:

• Lead restorative conferences between students and students/staff.

• Advise students individually or in small groups regarding behavior related issues.

• Provide interventions designed to help students change behaviors, improve relationships, and repair damage resulting from misbehaviors.

• Act as part of the building response/crisis team, de-escalating

• Implement school wide and individual behavior support plans.

• Support implementation of teacher designed instructional activities and classroom routines.

• Communicate with teachers, counselors, and parents regarding students assigned to the In-School Intervention (ISI) program.

• Conduct teacher/therapist-designed instructional experiences.

• Work with individual and small groups of students.

• Supervise, model, and teach expected behaviors across educational settings, including ISI room, classrooms, cafeteria, grounds, office, hallways, etc.

• Foster student development through activities and active engagement with students.

• Promote students' best interests through positive role modeling and student advocacy.

• Administer assessment materials as trained or delegated.

• Assist in preparation of instructional materials and perform clerical duties associated with general instruction program.

• May administer medications pursuant to Board policy and pursuant to state and federal law.

• Perform first aid.

Each of the positions at the specific school serves as one unit of the whole team, and as such, is subject to assignment to tasks in other areas within the classification.

QUALIFICATIONS/ABILITIES:

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field required.

• Previous experience as a teacher, counselor, child psychologist, social worker, or related field.

• Demonstrated ability to provide behavioral, academic, and emotional intervention and support for students.

• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, and co-workers.

• Ability to remain calm in times of high stress.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Commitment to finding ways to keep students in school environment.

• Must possess or willingness to obtain certification in district de-escalation and restraint program.

• Knowledge of and/or experience with restorative practices.

• Knowledge of and/or experience with a variety of both positive and corrective behavior management techniques.

• Must be able to become proficient with district student information system.

• Must be able to work in a team setting and take direction.

• Ability to use proper grammar, spelling, and language in both oral and written communication, as well as basic math skills.

• Must possess organizational skills and the ability to work independently.

• Demonstrate basic computer skills, including the ability to create and modify documents and to adapt to new technologies.

• Ability to learn and operate a variety of educational/office equipment.

• Must have or obtain first aid certification.

• Must have access to reliable transportation.

• Ability to supervise recess/unstructured activities, including the ability to respond quickly to an emergency or student need anywhere on the grounds.

Testing to be used to determine knowledge of pertinent skills.

Cheney Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions: Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ADA Coordinator

• Tom Arlt, Assistant Superintendent, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd. Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4550; Section 504 Coordinator

• Franklin Day, Director of Student Support Services, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4530.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER