Student Support Specialist - (2026-2027) Check and Connect (2 positions)

Job Summary

Under general supervision, administers a variety of student support programs to provide special services and assist students with health, behavioral, lifestyle, and community interaction issues.

Essential Functions

• Actively Participate in IEP and team meetings where implementation of IEP goal and objectives are discussed, behavior interventions plans and tiered interventions are designed; and skills instruction is planned.
• Work with individual teachers, groups of teachers and/or the entire staff on topics such as: crisis support & intervention, collaborative Instruction, and evidence based interventions and other factors that will positively impact the development and implementation of interventions.
• Experience with Functional Behavioral Assessments and crafting individualized Behavior Intervention Plans that focus on building pro-social skills and increase student engagement.
• Demonstrate ability to implement and evaluate strategies for improving student engagement.
• Create and/or conduct in-service programs to inform teachers and support staff of the goals, objectives and interventions specific to students and strategies to achieving them in school.
• Collaborate with the staff concerning any student educational needs, as Provide others with instructional ideas and/or behavioral strategies that are appropriate for students within the school.
• Create individualized systems of process monitoring student outcomes.
• Develop a repertoire of assessment strategies consistent with instructional goals, teaching methods, and individual student needs to more accurately assess student behavior skills and understandings.
• Model good assessment processes that assist students in assessing their own work and behavior.
• Implement recognition systems school wide to acknowledge student accomplishments and positive behaviors.
• Promotes and supports student achievement by providing social supports, student/family supports and wellness supports to meet the social, emotional and health needs of students.
• Aids students in learning processes; reinforces positive behavior, provides individual instruction, encourages socialization and good communications.
• Makes sure students are supervised during activities; promotes respect, supports diversity, pre-teaches and reinforces social norms and re-teaching.
• Aids students to achieve learning objectives with individual assistance and small group sessions.
• Uses Active Supervision to monitor students while recording data for academic and behavioral Interventions; keeps records of student progress and activities; assures all required written reports are completed and submitted on a daily basis.
• Mediates conflicts using restorative practices to create positive outcomes and build new skills in students.
• Works with all teachers to implement interventions to prevent and diminish behaviors of concern.
• Communicates with parents, students and staff to convey pertinent information while maintaining confidentiality of personal information.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with students, parents, visitors, and MPS staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education or related field; AND two (2) years of experience working with public education support programs; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.
• Knowledge of techniques needed to successfully support special education students IEP’s and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP).
• Knowledge in the use of technology to support instruction.
• Applicable policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment.
• Rules and regulations of the Minnesota Department of Health Services, and Department of Health and Family Support.
• Principles of child psychology, engagement and behavior management techniques.
• Classroom policies, procedures and processes.
• Evidence Based practices for working with students with special needs.
• Specialized MPS and state agency software applications and procedures.
• Local community resources and regional community services programs.
• Principles of record keeping and records management.
• Personal computers utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Safety rules and regulations.

Skills

• Effective data-based decision making & problem-solving to support inclusion with teams.
• Facilitating targeted social skills instruction to improve student behavior and learning skills.
• Re-teach and reinforce intervention instruction with children who receive special education services.
• Collecting individualized data for progress monitoring.
• Maintaining composure, and working effectively under stressful conditions.
• Administering educational and school support programs.
• Communicating effectively with children.
• Collaborating as a team member, with colleagues, staff and community representatives.
• Following verbal and written instructions.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, clients and community agencies.
• Effective verbal and written communication.