MS Student Support Specialist

Location: Bulverde

Primary

Purpose:

Provide comprehensive support services to assist the student, families and the school with implementation of research-based strategies known to reduce barriers that limit a student from receiving full benefit from their educational experience and improve student achievement.

Education / Certification:

* Master's degree in Social Work or Counseling.

Special Knowledge /

Skills:

* Knowledge of best practices in trauma informed care, crisis response, substance abuse, truancy and the effects on student achievement.

* Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

* Clinical assessment skills and ability to assist and/or make appropriate referrals to support physical and psychological safety efforts campus and district wide.

Experience / Other Requirements:

* Three years of experience providing social work or counseling services in an educational setting.

* Experience developing student support plans.

* Experience presenting training to large and small groups.

* Personal cell phone is required to handle District related business, including after hours, or when away from the office on District business.

Major

Responsibilities and Duties:

Social Work/Counseling

* Provide direct individual and group counseling or crisis intervention services based on identified student needs which impact student performance.

* Advocate and provide direct support in coordination with the academic program to meet needs of at-risk students who are struggling to succeed in school or who desire to return to school to complete an academic program

* Provide leadership to a multidisciplinary committee to develop support plans to address academic, behavioral and social and emotional needs of At-Risk students

* Remove barriers to academic success by providing case management services, connecting students with community mental and behavioral health services, and resources that provide related supportive services.

Consultation

* Provide training for staff, parents, community and students in evidence-based methods of supporting the social and emotional needs of students.

* Maintain a communication system that effectively collects and disseminates information to other professionals as appropriate.

* Develop and maintain positive working relationships with other school professionals and representatives of community resources.

Administration

* Complies with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and board policy in the guidance and counseling area.

* Complies with all District routines and regulations.

* Maintains a positive and effective relationship with supervisors.

* Communicates effectively with colleagues, students, and parents.

* May supervise persons completing practicum or internship through a college or university program.

Professional

* Adheres to ethical and legal standards and models of behavior that is professional, and responsible.

* Participates in professional development to improve skills related to job assignment.

* Responsible for properly maintaining District records, adhering to all policies set forth by the District for records maintenance and learning the records retention schedule for department records.

* Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

* Maintains emotional control under stress.

* Prolonged use of computer.

* Works outside the normal work week.

* Regular district-wide travel to student homes and multiple work locations as assigned.

* Transport students in district vehicles to critical appointments, to access basic needs, college visits, career related field trips, etc.