Student Support Specialist

FLSA Status: Exempt
Calendar Days: 11 Mo
Workplace Location: On-Site
Job Family: 103 Specialist I

Job Title: Student Support Specialist

Division / Department: Head Start

Supervisor: Bridget McCaslin

Date Revised: 4/2/2025

Job Summary: Responsible for early intervention and comprehensive student support services promoting School Readiness for all Head Start children. To participate as part of a multi-disciplinary team to support children experiencing challenging behavior or other social, emotional, and mental health developmental concerns and support children eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and children suspected of a disability. Provide in-classroom modeling and support for children and appropriate teaching strategies to teaching staff.

Qualifications:

Education/Training:

Master's Degree in a related field

Licensure/ School Psychology/ Licensed Professional Counselor

Experience:

At least five years of related experience.

Classroom experience in a Precision Teaching Classroom, an Adaptive Behavior Classroom, or as a District Behavior Specialist

Understands Executive Functioning

Has Knowledge and an understanding of children with disabilities

Has Knowledge and an understanding of challenging behaviors in early childhood students and working with families with low-income and diverse cultural backgrounds.

Knowledge / Skills:

Ability to build, develop, and inspire teams Task execution (result-oriented)

Build and cultivate relationships Excellent communication

Financial knowledge

Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Knowledge of current laws and regulations Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers and standard applications. Effective interpersonal skills. Strong organizational skills. Ability to plan and lead workshops and/or special projects.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Must be able to maintain emotional control under stress Work with frequent interruptions; irregular hours Frequent regional travel; occasional statewide travel

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Maintain thorough Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards, federal, state, and local public school Special Education laws, and LEA policies and procedures, and understand Child Mental Health and Social and Emotional well-being.
• Be an integral part of the Student Support Services team, working closely with other team members to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to working with student concerns.
• Establish and maintain professional, accurate, timely record-keeping, documentation, and child services tracking system.
• Monitor the ongoing quality of educational services for students suspected of a disability with pending results and eligibility determination.
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date Daily calendar with site, task, and agency vehicle
• Provide comprehensive support, including appropriate strategies and follow-up with teaching staff who work directly with children with concerns.
• Review for understanding and provide individual support for teaching staff about current
• Maintain a cooperative and positive relationship with Head Start staff, families, and District staff
• Assist with the role of the parent as the primary educator of the child and promote the parent's understanding of IDEA and LEA policies.
• Support for ARD committee meetings/504 meetings, as parents or the program
• Assist with the role of the parent as the primary educator of the child and promote the parent's understanding of healthy mental health and social and emotional well-being in young children.
• Assist school districts and the Education Services Center (ESC) in obtaining technical assistance related to serving students with mental health disorders, including students who are identified as high risk for mental health concerns.
• Assist districts in maintaining program compliance with Head Start Performance
• Provides technical support and dissemination of information through on-site visits, professional development sessions, written communication, e-mail, and telephone contact.
• Collaborates and establishes partnerships with community health agencies and/or private practice professionals in mental health and/ or disability.
• Collaborates with parents and staff to identify mental health
• Ensure at least 10% of the total funded enrollment is filled by children eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Ensure the individualized needs of children with disabilities are being met and children have access to and can fully participate in the full range of activities and services in partnership with the school
• Completes timely and effective screeners and follows a specific and timely course of action to address any identified needs based on screening results or other information.
• Work collaboratively with school districts to convene staffing as
• Represent Region 7 ESC Head Start professionally in all
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Assist with the safety and supervision of children.