What are the responsibilities and job description for the Student Support Specialist position at Minnesota Service Cooperatives?

Position Type :

Other Non-Licensed Positions / Student Support Specialist

Date Posted : 3 / 4 / 2025

Location : Area Learning Center

Closing Date : 03 / 10 / 2025

District :

Independent School District 196 Description :

Student Support Specialist

8 hrs / day , 10 month calendar

7 : 15 a.m. - 3 : 15 p.m.

Office hours and evenings and weekends as necessary

Effective Dates of Employment :

Beginning of the 2025-26 school year

Application Deadlines :

March 10, 2025 - 4 : 00 p.m.

Application Procedures :

All Candidates : Apply on-line at www.district196.org as an External applicant.

The Area Learning Center (ALC) is an alternative high school serving 14-21 year old students in District 196. The ALC opened its doors in the Fall of 1987. The small size of the school (approximately 160 students and 16 staff) allows staff to develop strong working relationships with students and provide a positive educational experience. Transportation is available for students who live in District 196 school boundaries.

Overview : District 196 is seeking a culturally competent Student Support Specialist to provide SEL and mental health support for our students. This specialist will work closely with students, teachers, and administrators to provide social-emotional learning (SEL) support and promote mental health awareness and resources throughout the school community. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of adolescent development, excellent communication skills, and a passion for helping students navigate challenges and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The Student Support Specialist works under the supervision of the Building Principal / Administrative Team and in collaboration with the Student Services Office.

Responsibilities : Schoolwide Support

Promote a positive school climate by fostering a culture of empathy, respect, and support among students and staff.
Collaborate with administrators and staff to develop and implement school-wide SEL initiatives and programs, including social and emotional learning (SEL) workshops, group counseling sessions, and peer support groups to promote positive social interactions, emotional regulation, and resilience.
Work within the school community to create a common understanding and language around the normalcy of mental health symptoms, how to effectively communicate our needs, and pathways to support at Eastview and beyond
Partner with staff in our Special Education program; provide specific support for students in our Achieve and other center-based programs.
Develop and implement student workshops addressing topics such as stress management, conflict resolution, and self-esteem building.

Group and Individual Student Support

Empower students to identify, manage and develop social-emotional skills and behavior growth, resolve conflicts, build positive relationships, and develop problem-solving skills; employ restorative practices when needed.

Develop and implement both individual and small-group interventions that help students build relationships, school connectedness, and the confidence to overcome challenges.

Maintain accurate records of student interactions, progress, and interventions in accordance with school policies and confidentiality guidelines.

Partner w / administration on student suspensions, treatment / hospitalization and re-entry to Eastview.

Implement positive behavior interventions w / identified caseload of students.

Partner w / Counseling Team for student targeted student group coordination / facilitation (anxiety, school avoidance / attendance), mental health, grief / loss, etc.)

Family Engagement

Engage with parents and families, counselors, and teachers to support consistent social and emotional learning and development at home and in the classroom.

Parent and family consultation regarding their child's development, growth, and needs

Connect students and families with appropriate resources and outside agencies as needed.

Organize and lead educational sessions for parents and families on topics related to mental health awareness, stigma reduction, and self-care practices.

Staff support and development

Prepare reports and data analysis to assess the effectiveness of support services and inform decision-making.

Collaborate with teachers, counselors, and parents / guardians to implement support strategies and monitor student progress.

Involvement in staff professional development

Qualifications :

Four-year degree (or near completion), with relevant coursework and experience in Education, Counseling, Restorative Justice, Social Work and / or Youth Development.

Ability to work in a non-judgmental, culturally sensitive, and empowering manner with students from diverse backgrounds.

Experience with trauma-informed practices.

Bi-lingual preferred; Spanish and / or Somali.

Strong organizational skills with good attention to detail and time management.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Ability to work with minimal supervision and handle stressful situations.

Driver's license, clean driving record, insurance and vehicle for work purposes.

Demonstrated experience and proficiency working with a culturally, ethnically, racially and socioeconomically diverse school community is preferred.

Responsible To : School Principal

Compensation / Benefits :

Non-Licensed Specialist - Salary in the range of $52,386 - $58,206 (2025-26 salary range), based on 185 days @ 8 hrs. / day

If benefit eligible, benefits are available to new employees effective the first day of active employment. Benefits include medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long term disability insurance, sick-leave, state pension plan, tax-deferred retirement savings account, and flexible spending account. Some employee groups also receive vacation, holidays or personal leave. Benefit information is available at Employee Benefits - Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan ISD 196

Our team of dedicated educators is committed to the mission of Educating, developing, and inspiring our students for lifelong success. Our core values are student-centered, based in empathy and integrity to support the wellbeing of the whole person, and learning with high expectations for all. Our culture of collaboration fosters an environment of inclusivity, engagement and belonging for all students, and inspires a love of learning for all ages. Our vision is to provide the experiences that our students, families and employees desire by developing the whole student and honoring diverse needs and cultures; engaging students with opportunities in academics, arts and athletics (Triple A philosophy), and living our mission to prepare students for lifelong success.

District 196 is a Minnesota public school district of choice, serving more than 29,000 students and 160,000 residents in the cities of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Coates, Empire, Inver Grove Heights and Lakeville, and Vermillion Township. District 196 is the third largest school district in Minnesota and among the largest employers in Dakota County, with more than 4,000 full- and part-time employees. District 196 has been named to Forbes' list of America's Best-in-State Employers multiple times based on a survey asking employees to rate their employers and how likely they would be to recommend them to others.

District 196 has 19 elementary schools (grades K-5); six middle schools (grades 6-8); four high schools (grades 9-12); an optional School of Environmental Studies for juniors and seniors; an Area Learning Center high school program; a K-12 special education school, and a special education program serving young adults ages 18-2.2 The district also operates three learning centers that provide early childhood and Adult Basic Education services, and offers extensive community education programs and classes for learners of all ages.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As required by Title IX and other state and federal nondiscrimination laws, District 196 does not discriminate in employment or in any of its education programs and activities, including vocational opportunities, on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, familial status,

disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, membership or activity in a local human rights commission,

age or genetic information.

District 196 provides equal access to designated youth groups.

The Director of Human Resources, Shelly Monson (651-423-7859 -shelly.monson@district196.org) is the designated Title IX Coordinator and has also been designated to respond to employment-related inquiries regarding the district's non-discrimination policies. The Director of Elementary Education, Jeremy Sorenson (651-423-7782 - jeremy.sorenson@district196.org) and the Director of Secondary Education, Eric Hansen (651-423-7712 - eric.hansen@district196.org) have been designated to respond to student-related inquiries regarding the district's non-discrimination policies. The Director of Special Education, Janet Fimmen (651-423-7629 - janet.fimmen@district196.org) has been designated to respond to inquiries concerning the rights of a student with a disability. The mailing address for all directors is 3455 153rd Street W, Rosemount, MN 55068. Title IX inquiries may also be referred to the Assistant Secretary of the US Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Asterisked categories are limited to employment-related discrimination and harassment.

Salary : $52,386 - $58,206

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