Student Support Specialist

Student Support Specialist

Provide school based support to Special Education Teacher and students with behavioral and emotional needs. Observe and assess students to provide classroom support and interventions to increase student academic and behavioral achievements.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, First Shift

Location: Warwick, RI

Salary: Starts at $25 per hour

Did you know… studies have shown that the number one reason a person chooses not to apply for a role is because they do not think they'll be hired if they don't meet 100% of the qualifications? Thrive understands that while certain criteria are requirements of the job, other skills can be taught to the right person. Please consider applying anyway.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Work in conjunction with special education teachers to monitor appropriate classroom behavior and support students in their efforts to complete class assignments and to achieve their annual and long-term academic goals;
• Work directly with students to provide behavioral support and follow established behavior management plans to help them develop appropriate behaviors and conflict resolution skills;
• Maintain a daily record of students behavioral points and collect data as needed to monitor efficacy of individual behavioral programs;
• Teach academic lessons as assigned;
• Provide crisis intervention as needed and appropriate;
• Provide support to staff and students in the event of a safety-related incident, including, when necessary, the use of appropriate physical intervention. Completing all appropriate documentation per Department of Education regulations;
• Attend and participate in daily multidisciplinary team meetings (debrief) and weekly staff meetings, communicating observations and student outcomes to team members;
• Other duties as assigned by the Site Administrator or the Director of Special Education; Review e-mail account daily for new messages.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Attend all agency/department required training and meetings within the prescribed period.
• Attend all Safety Training programs and be able to describe his/her responsibilities related to the general safety, department safety, and specific job-related hazards and responsibilities.
• Demonstrate respect and regard for the dignity of all clients, families, visitors and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible and courteous environment.
• Embrace Thrive's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mission Statement and Definitions.
• Present a neat appearance in proper attire and identification as required by the position, department and agency policies and procedures.
• Work the hours and/or shifts assigned, and begin and end on time.
• Carry and enliven a positive Thrive image consistent with the Thrive's Guiding Principles and professional code of ethics.
• Function, as member of a team, i.e., be a "Team Player".

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Psychology, the human services or a related field with an equivalent combination of related experience with behaviorally disordered/emotionally disturbed children and/or adolescents.
• Previous work with behaviorally disordered/emotionally disturbed children and/or adolescents preferred.

• Orientation including CPR, first aid, and Safety Care certification completion required.
• Valid driver's license and automobile insurance which meets Rhode Island minimum standards required, or the ability to obtain necessary transportation in order to perform the responsibilities/tasks of the job.

Physical Demands

• 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to assist individuals with disabilities in meeting the expectations of the position.

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