Student Support Specialist

Student Support Specialist

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Student Support Specialist to join our K–8 school community. This vital role supports the academic, emotional, and social development of our diverse student body through comprehensive school counseling services. The Student Support Specialist will provide individual and group counseling, coordinate school-wide support initiatives, and collaborate with families and educators to promote a safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed learning environment. This position aligns with our commitment to equity, wellness, and whole-child education.

What You'll Do

• Provide short-term individual and group counseling to support students' academic, emotional, and behavioral development.
• Respond to crisis situations with care and professionalism, including coordination of supports for students in distress.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families to design and implement interventions that support student success.
• Promote a positive school climate through school-wide initiatives, social-emotional learning (SEL), and behavioral support strategies.
• Support the development and implementation of 504 Plans, MTSS/RTI strategies, and behavior intervention plans.
• Serve as a liaison with community mental health providers and external service organizations.
• Advocate for student needs with a lens of cultural responsiveness, trauma awareness, and restorative practices.

What You Bring to the Table

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Education, or a related human services field (Master's degree preferred)
• Pennsylvania School Counselor Certification (PK–12), preferred
• Strong foundation in child and adolescent development, school-based counseling practices, and SEL
• Familiarity with evidence-based interventions, mental health screening tools, and referral procedures
• Experience delivering trauma-informed, culturally affirming, and strength-based counseling
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for engaging with students, staff, and families
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in school mental health and education
• Bilingual in Spanish, preferred

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 10 months, exempt
• This position is for in-person work at our location
• 180 instructional days, 191 work days (new staff members work additional days for induction/orientation)
• In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable
• To be eligible to work for Pan American Academy Charter School, you must complete and submit background clearances and paperwork prior to your start date. We can accept clearances that are less than one year old from the date a new employee presents them to Human Resources.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including your spam and junk folders, for these notices.

Please note: Both prior experience and educational degree must go through a verification process for the final salary to be confirmed.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination: Pan American Academy Charter School is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran status, disability, history of disability, or perceived disability. If you require assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io.