Student Support Specialist

Student Support Specialist

EFFECTIVE: 2026-2027 school year New Employee: 191 days/year Position Type: Exempt 1.0 FTE Benefits Eligible: Yes This position is grant-funded through the 2028-2029 school year, with the opportunity for extension pending future funding.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Student Support Specialist works to maximize student success by identifying and addressing social, emotional, behavioral, and environmental barriers to learning. Acting as a bridge between the classroom, the home, and the community, this professional provides targeted interventions, crisis de-escalation, and systemic support to foster a safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed school climate. This position requires collaboration with teachers, active involvement with school staff, and engagement with parents/guardians regarding steps to support and improve students' development as they move toward adulthood. Candidates must be able to design and implement research-based programs and interventions to ensure that students receive the most up-to-date, proven techniques. Additional responsibilities include: acting as a liaison between students, teachers, and parents/guardians; advocating for at-risk youth and families; and developing and promoting strong community relations among stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Design and implement social/emotional programming as a core component of a comprehensive school counseling program with identified, research-based strategies to increase graduation rates. Assist elementary school students and families in the areas of academic achievement, school success (attendance, behavior, personal, and social issues), and life-skills (e.g., organization skills, time management, individual and social responsibility, and work ethic) that impact school performance. Design and implement individualized intervention plans with specific strategies (including advising, counseling, and mentoring programs and services) to address the needs of targeted students and their families/caregivers. Design and implement instructional activities, materials, and strategies in classrooms, workshops, summer programs, and other appropriate settings. Monitor students' progress toward completion of course requirements and keep appropriate school personnel, parents, and guardians informed of any problems or special conditions. Administer surveys and data collection procedures to targeted students and interpret and record results. Deliver a wide range of direct teacher and parent activities and services. Identify and process student/family referrals to appropriate educational, social, and other support services in the school, district, and community for students and their parents and families. Maintain accurate data, records, and case management files to document all activities conducted and services provided. Actively participate in all staff meetings, PLCs, and other required events. Apply and implement knowledge, skills, and new understandings to improve instructional programming. Advocate for and lead initiatives that will enhance student success in and out of school. Use the professional Code of Ethics and standards of practice to guide ethical decision-making in practice. Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF AND EXPERIENCE WITH: Proven experience developing and implementing a comprehensive Social/Emotional program. Experience providing mental health support in an educational setting. Ability to work and collaborate effectively with teachers and other school-based personnel. Ability to develop positive working relationships, build rapport, and motivate both co-workers and students. Cultural competency: appreciation, embracing, and valuing of diversity Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and independent decision-making skills. Ability to function as a team player and to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a shared-decision-making environment. Capability to function as an independent, self-motivated, and self-reliant self-starter who initiates appropriate actions and strategies and can work successfully without constant direction and close supervision. Ability to function effectively in hectic and fast-paced work environments through prioritization of multiple, and sometimes conflicting, demands in order to meet established deadlines. Knowledge about Englewood, Englewood Public Schools, and the target population.

SUPERVISION/TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES: None BUDGET AND/OR RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITIES: Prioritize and schedule work tasks independently. Create and implement effective, efficient process-management strategies (e.g., procedures, instructional groups, transition materials, and supplies). Maintain accurate records in accordance with professional standards, state guidelines, and school system policy. Review processes for opportunities for improvement and make changes as needed to ensure instructional quality.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE: Master's degree Bilingual (preferred). English fluency will be determined through the interview process. LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Currently hold a CDE license and endorsement in Counseling, Social Work, or School Psychologist. Valid Colorado Driver's License required. Current First Aid and CPR (or obtained within the first six months of employment). GENERAL EXPECTATIONS: Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in response to change. Possesses computer and technology skills. Effectively works with students from diverse backgrounds and abilities. Collaborates well with supervisors and co-workers. Capable of understanding and following both complex oral and written instructions. Able to perform duties independently with minimal supervision. Communicates effectively with the School District community. Skilled in analysis, instruction, negotiation, coordination, communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal interactions. Proficient in comparing, computing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. Meets attendance standards and works the necessary hours to fulfill essential responsibilities. Maintains confidentiality. Upholds a generally positive attitude. Complies with all District policies and procedures. Adheres to federal and state laws, regulations, and policies. ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Occasional jogging/running. Frequent lifting of ten (10) to twenty (20) pounds. Frequent sitting, bending, walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, squatting, and reaching. Following employment offer/acceptance: Ongoing employment is conditional upon successful clearance of an employer-paid, job-related, pre-employment physical.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Mostly clean and comfortable. REPORTS TO: Principal or designee LOCATION: Clayton Elementary School SALARY: Salary placement ranges from $60,522 to $105,191 and is determined based on education, years of experience, and the Negotiated Agreement. The most current Licensed Salary Schedule is posted on the Englewood Schools Career webpage. Englewood Schools accepts up to 19 years of verified experience. Per the Negotiated Agreement, Special Service Providers will be granted outside experience for state, agency, or private clinical or hospital employment only if they were appropriately licensed and half or more of their primary responsibilities involved pre-kindergarten through 12th grade-aged students or other relevant work that specifically translates to a connection with the serviced student population in the District. In addition, Special Service Providers will receive an annual stipend in the amount of $1000 paid in the last paycheck of the school year for obtaining and maintaining certification as outlined in Article 7.6 of the Negotiated Agreement.

BENEFITS: At Englewood Schools, we provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance employee well-being and satisfaction. Our offerings include Paid Time Off (PTO), medical, dental, and vision insurance, and pre-tax savings options through Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), with monthly District contributions for HSA. The costs for short and long-term disability programs are 100% covered, which provide financial protection in the event of illness or injury. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides counseling and support services, and our wellness programs are designed to promote a healthy lifestyle. In addition to these benefits, we offer a comprehensive retirement plan through the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA), as well as additional retirement savings options including 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans. Optional voluntary plans are also available for life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, cancer, and accidents, offering additional layers of security. For more details about benefits at Englewood Schools, please refer to the Benefit Guide available on the District's website.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: New hires or rehires will be responsible for the fingerprint processing fee required for background checks through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Per the negotiated agreement, all teachers who start after the student's first day are temporary. CLOSING DATE: This position will close 6/28/2026. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: All interested and qualified applicants must complete an online application. Incomplete applications and resumes received in lieu of applications will not be considered. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview. This job description is not intended to create any express or implied contract of employment or expectancy of continued employment for any definite term. In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 and Colorado law, Englewood Schools does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, family composition, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related