Student Support Specialist (Middle & High School)

It takes a team to educate a student.  PCS faculty and staff work together to help our students grow to their full potential. If you value the impact Christian education can have on our next generation of leaders and influencers and want to be part of the team that makes it happen, apply to join the Portland Christian staff.  We are currently seeking just the right person to fill our opening for a Student Support Specialist at our Middle & High School campus.  

Position: Student Support Specialist  (MS/HS)

Work Week and Hours:

This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week, 10 months per year.

Hours of work are Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm with possible occasional evening and/or weekend responsibilities, or as determined by the Principal.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Communicate the goals of the comprehensive school student support program to Christian school staff, parents, and students in appropriate venues such as meetings, newsletters, memos, and web pages.
• Conduct orientation activities for new students.
• Consult with and serve as a resource for teachers, staff, and parents regarding the needs of students in the areas of development, health, and wellness.
• Implement developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented group activities to meet student needs and school goals.
• Supervise the peer mentoring program.
• Support the Dean as needed to facilitate the Dean’s primary responsibilities and as directed by the Principal.
• Organize and maintain a Family Mentoring program that provides for connections for new families to our Portland Christian School events.
• In coordination with the Dean, write the Student Academic & Behavioral Plans and manage the plans’ processes between students, parents, and teachers.
• Support Learning Labs that will serve both high functioning and struggling students. 
• Establish a Behavioral program for students.
• Act as a liaison between teachers, parents, and administrators.
• Liaison with other school districts to coordinate student support services.
• Monitor student academic performance, behavior, and attendance and assist with appropriate interventions.
• Lead small groups of students in discussions pertaining to relevant social/emotional matters.
• Lead parent education/training workshops throughout the school year.
• In response to identified needs of individuals and groups of students, conduct individual guidance, crisis intervention, and the formation and facilitation of group discussions.
• Consult on various student issues such as poor academic performance, mediation of teacher-student differences, and personal problems and concerns in such areas as family issues, abuse, pregnancy, depression, substance abuse, relationships, and peer-group issues.
• Respond to crises, such as altercations, illness/death, and suspected child abuse and mandatory reporting of abuse.
• Maintain a list of church, community, and professional resources. Refer parents and students to ministry programs, community agencies, or specialists as appropriate.
• Be available to meet with parents as requested or as the need is identified.
• Maintain records to document interactions, interventions, and decisions.
• Meet regularly with the Principal in order to provide feedback, discuss programs, confer about and pray for individual students, and receive direction.
• Adhere to policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school.
• Be available to students in a variety of settings such as the office, lunchroom, and student common areas. Spend time in the classrooms in order to observe students as requested and build rapport with the teachers.
• Recognize the need for good public relations and represent the school in a favorable and professional manner to the school’s constituency and the general public.
• Under the direction of the Principal, the Principal may reassign primary responsibilities between the Dean and the Student Support Specialist.

All PCS employees are expected to fully engage in the stated mission of the school, "to educate students in the truth of God's word in every area of instruction and activity, so that their lives may be transformed by the renewing of their minds." Must pass a background check and be willing to sign the PCS Statement of Faith and Declaration of Moral Integrity. 

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors’ degree required 
• Masters’ degree in an education, psychology, counseling, or sociology field of study preferred
• Professional license preferred
• State School Counselor Certificate or ACSI Guidance Counselor Credential preferred
• Minimum of two years of counseling, teaching, or ministry work with teens preferred
• ACSI certification required within 30 days of hire

Areas of Additional Training / Knowledge Preferred:

• NSSI/SI training in suicide prevention practices
• ADHD
• Eating disorders
• Learning differences
• Executive function
• Trauma informed care
• Restorative practice
• Bullying prevention
• Multi-cultural competency

Pay: Commensurate with education, experience, and credentials.  
Range from $17.57/hr - $40,806/annually

Benefits:

Employee Health, Dental, Life, Vision, LTD
Retirement Benefit
Tuition Discount Early Childhood – grade 12

Salary : $40,806