Special Education Therapeutic Support Specialist

About the role

The Special Education Therapeutic Support Specialist provides direct therapeutic and counseling-related support services to students receiving special education services whose social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs impact educational access, participation, and progress.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct therapeutic and counseling-related support services to students receiving special education services.
• Deliver services aligned to student IEP goals, accommodations, and related service minutes.
• Support students in developing: emotional regulation skills, coping strategies, self-advocacy skills, executive functioning skills, problem-solving strategies, social-emotional competencies, behavioral replacement skills.
• Utilize evidence-based and developmentally appropriate therapeutic practices within the school setting.
• Work collaboratively with special education teachers, related service providers, families, administrators, and school support staff to help students successfully access and participate in their educational program in the least restrictive environment.

Requirements

• Required licensure: Licensed or eligible for licensure in Minnesota in one or more of the following areas: School Social Work, School Counseling, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or other qualifying mental health or counseling-related licensure.
• Experience providing counseling, therapeutic intervention, or social-emotional support services to children or adolescents.
• Knowledge of child development, social-emotional learning, and mental health interventions within educational settings.
• Significant experience in child welfare, education or juvenile justice system (5 or more years) required.
• Experience with youth and/or family-based services preferred.
• Experience working within special education settings.
• Knowledge of IDEA and special education related services.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups.
• Experience supporting students with ASD, EBD, anxiety, trauma-related needs, or significant emotional/behavioral needs.
• Experience implementing trauma-informed and relationship-centered practices within schools.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work effectively and relate comfortably with parents, children and youth with special needs and their families, while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Demonstrated skill in accurate and timely documentation for social work practice.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize community resources, including multicultural resources.
• Ability to build individual relationships and facilitate group interaction.
• Excellent public relations skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing with diverse individuals, and demonstrate cultural competency.
• Strong organizational, planning and coordination skills.
• Able to differentiate instruction and support diverse learners.
• Data-driven approach to instruction and decision-making.
• Able to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Cultural responsiveness and sensitivity.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Professionalism, reliability, and strong ethical judgment.
• Commitment to professional growth and continuous improvement.
• Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with students and families.

Qualifications

• Required Licensure: Licensed or eligible for licensure in Minnesota in one or more of the following areas: School Social Work, School Counseling, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or other qualifying mental health or counseling-related licensure.
• Experience: Experience providing counseling, therapeutic intervention, or social-emotional support services to children or adolescents.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of child development, social-emotional learning, and mental health interventions within educational settings.
• Experience: Significant experience in child welfare, education or juvenile justice system (5 or more years) required.
• Experience: Experience with youth and/or family-based services preferred.
• Experience: Experience working within special education settings.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of IDEA and special education related services.
• Experience: Experience facilitating therapeutic groups.
• Experience: Experience supporting students with ASD, EBD, anxiety, trauma-related needs, or significant emotional/behavioral needs.
• Experience: Experience implementing trauma-informed and relationship-centered practices within schools.
• Skills: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work effectively and relate comfortably with parents, children and youth with special needs and their families, while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Documentation: Demonstrated skill in accurate and timely documentation for social work practice.
• Work Style: Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Community Resources: Knowledge of and ability to utilize community resources, including multicultural resources.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build individual relationships and facilitate group interaction.
• Communication: Excellent public relations skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing with diverse individuals, and demonstrate cultural competency.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational, planning and coordination skills.
• Differentiation: Able to differentiate instruction and support diverse learners.
• Data-Driven Approach: Data-driven approach to instruction and decision-making.
• Multitasking: Able to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Cultural Responsiveness: Cultural responsiveness and sensitivity.
• Time Management: Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Professionalism: Professionalism, reliability, and strong ethical judgment.
• Relationship Building: Commitment to building positive, trusting relationships with students and families.

Skills

• Licensure: Required licensure in Minnesota in one or more of the following areas: School Social Work, School Counseling, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or other qualifying mental health or counseling-related licensure.
• Experience: Experience providing counseling, therapeutic intervention, or social-emotional support services to children or adolescents.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of child development, social-emotional learning, and mental health interventions within educational settings.
• Experience: Significant experience in child welfare, education or juvenile justice system (5 or more years) required.
• Experience: Experience with youth and/or family-based services preferred.
• Experience: Experience working within special education settings.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of IDEA and special education related services.
• Experience: Experience facilitating therapeutic groups.
• Experience: Experience supporting students with ASD, EBD, anxiety, trauma-related needs, or significant emotional/behavioral needs.
• Experience: Experience implementing trauma-informed and relationship-centered practices within schools.
• Skills: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work effectively and relate comfortably with parents, children and youth with special needs and their families, while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Documentation: Demonstrated skill in accurate and timely documentation for social work practice.
• Work Style: Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Community Resources: Knowledge of and ability to utilize community resources, including multicultural resources.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build individual relationships and facilitate group interaction.
• Communication: Excellent public relations skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing with diverse individuals, and demonstrate cultural competency.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational, planning and coordination skills.
• Differentiation: Able to differentiate instruction and support diverse learners.
• Data-Driven Approach: Data-driven approach to instruction and decision-making.
• Multitasking: Able to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Cultural Responsiveness: Cultural responsiveness and sensitivity.
• Time Management: Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Professionalism: Professionalism, reliability, and strong ethical judgment.
• Relationship Building: Commitment to building positive, trusting relationships with students and families.

Benefits

This position offers comprehensive healthcare options (Medical, Dental, and Vision), retirement planning through Teacher's Retirement Association (TRA)/Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) and optional 403B plans, generous Paid time off, federal holidays, and academic breaks throughout the school year. Leadership Development Opportunities include Grade Team Leadership, Instructional Coach, Data Team Leadership, and Extracurricular Coaching.

Pay

Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience, educational background, and academic outcomes.

Schedule

N/A