Student Support Specialist

STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Why Join CIP?

• Vacation Time - 15 days full time only
• Paid Holidays - 13 days full time only;Holiday premium pay for part time only
• Paid Sick Days and Personal Days accrued
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits: Short and Long-term Disability, Additional Life, Child Life and Spousal Life
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(K) - We offer a Traditional 401(K) and a Roth 401(K) employer match up to 4%
  
  • Financial Wellness Advisor Services
• Tuition and continued education reimbursement up to $3,000 annually for full time and up to $1,000 for part time
• Wellness reimbursement of $200 per year for full time and $100 per year for part time
• Employee Assistance Program: child care and parenting, senior care and aging, emotional health, health and wellness, legal and financial, access to discounts
• A health advocate to assist with our insurance & healthcare challenges
• Ongoing monthly training and professional development opportunities
• Supportive and Collaborative Culture

*Please note that the benefits listed may change based on business needs, regulatory requirements or other factors

A Day in the Life:

The Student Support Specialist collaborates with students to help them become well-rounded, informed citizens who can live independent and self-sufficient lives as well as navigate the community. The specialist may work simultaneously in multiple functional areas depending upon center requirements and individual development goals. As such, the Student Support Specialist will familiarize themselves with handbooks and other relevant job content for additional functions as they are given assignments there. The Student Support Specialist is an onsite full-time non-exempt position located in Long Beach, CA who reports to the Life Skills and Wellness Coordinator. This position operates in a highly scheduled environment but may require longer hours and weekend work and minimal travel as job duties demand. The Student Support Specialist position involves a moderate physical demand.


The College Internship Program (CIP) is a full-year private young adult transition program for individuals 18-26 with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences offering comprehensive and specialized services. CIP's programs uniquely address the needs of adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism, ADHD, and other learning differences by providing a comprehensive curriculum, expert staffing, and a structured weekly schedule. We believe that a learning disability is a learning difference, and our expert staff understand and meet our young adults enrolled in the program where they are at. Our programs focus on the generalization of specialized skills specifically for autism and learning differences. CIP students live with a close-knit community of peers within a supported apartment living setting and fully access the community around them. Each student's unique needs are met individually as they prepare for success in independent living, college, and employment. CIP is the result of strategies we have developed over 40 years working with hundreds of young people who learn differently and have exceptionalities, helping develop the self-knowledge and skills to live happy and productive lives.

All the Responsibilities We'll Trust You With:

• Support students in achieving plans related to academic goal, majors and degree paths.
• Assists students in navigating and accessing educational institution's services and accommodation.
• Coach students in the practice of executive functions for managing and completing coursework.
• Communicate student academic progress to Academic Coordinator and/or Assistant Program Director.
• Teach related skills that will facilitate overall success in higher education through individual and group sessions.
• Instructs social skills curriculum usually through individual sessions, including aspects of social communication, awareness, behavior, and confidence.
• Instructs and supports program areas of Reframing, PEERS, and Social Mentoring.
• Involve students in everyday, real life experiences, by accompanying them to local venues, college clubs, community activities, and places that match their area of interest in order to practice their social skills.
• Assesses student social skills strengths and challenges and assists in student goal setting.
• Produces and communicates individual social thinking session notes, monthly group notes, and progress reports to Social Skills Coordinator.
• Assists in planning and supervision of weekend activities in collaboration with life skills for all students to participate in to practice social skills.
• Assist students in building independent living skills competencies and routines to develop the ability to live independently after CIP.
• Support students in learning and practicing independent living skills, such as apartment maintenance, cooking, cleaning, and time management.
• Lead grocery shopping outings and provide transportation as needed.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to support students' growth across all areas of the CIP program-academic, career, social, and wellness.
• Engage students in productively exploring and connecting within the community.
• Ensure a high level of health and safety within one's living environment and the community.
• Conducts appropriate Executive Functioning appointments with students based on their needs and coordinates with staff accordingly.
• Assist students in handling challenges and when necessary uses de-escalation techniques and other strategies.
• Passionate about helping individuals with learning disabilities reach their full potential.
• *Other Duties as Assigned

Qualities You Possess:

• The Student Support Specialist will possess exceptional communication skills, precise attention to detail, superior organization and prioritization skills, and self-motivation in managing tasks to completion. They will have genuine empathy and awareness of the needs and sensitivities of prospective families, students, and staff.

Your Areas of Knowledge and Expertise:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution in a related field is highly preferred.
• High School Diploma is required.
• At least two years of related experience and/or training is required.
• A strong special education background, particularly at the higher education level is preferred.
• Experience in the field of autism and/or learning differences is highly required.
• Proficient with computer software for office tasks and in learning new company computer software programs is required.
• An active Driver's License is required.

This role may also be of interest to candidates searching for positions or skills related to case management, student success, behavioral health, mental health counseling, disability services, special education, autism support, vocational counseling, higher education, social work, peer mentor, human services, therapy, school counseling, internship support, college readiness, residential life, crisis response, student engagement, transition services, behavior technician, substitute teacher, college advising, working with people with autism, wraparound services, camp counselor, marriage and family therapy, executive functioning, peer coach, emotional regulation, resource specialist, neurodiversity support, crisis intervention, working with people with developmental disabilities, student involvement, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma informed care, campus life, paraprofessionals, clinical therapist, psychologist, coping skills, alternative education, youth services, private practice, individual/group counseling, inclusion workforce development, student affairs, student assistant, school experience, instructional assistant, IEP, social-emotional learning, autism advocacy, working with high schoolers, holistic wellness, career services, student life, academic planning, peer support, crisis prevention intervention, student services, working with people with disabilities, first year experience, college success, postsecondary support, inclusive teaching, mental health advocacy, college transition, academic advising, adaptive learning, paraeducators, psychology, individualized support, mindfulness, learning disabilities, accessibility services, disability studies, cognitive science, sociology, social and behavioral sciences, and education.


Competency-Based Hiring Philosophy


CIP utilizes a competency-based hiring and development process designed to evaluate candidates on demonstrated skills, experience, leadership capability, and alignment with the responsibilities of the role. Compensation placement within the salary range is determined based on factors including relevant experience, demonstrated competencies, leadership background, industry expertise, and familiarity with CIP's service model and student population. Candidates with direct experience supporting neurodiverse young adults, transition-age programming, residential environments and multidisciplinary educational or support teams may be better positioned for advanced placement within the range. However, the majority of new hires start at the beginning of the salary range. CIP values professional growth and is committed to developing leaders over time through training, mentorship and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Accommodations Disabilities Act Statement

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job position.

Affirmative Action Plan (AAP)/Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

College Internship Program (CIP) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications associated with this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required. Team members may be assigned additional responsibilities as necessary.