Student Support Specialist

Location: Manassas Park Elementary School

Salary: Teacher - 220 Scale (220-day, 11-month position, 7.5 hours per day, benefits-eligible)

FLSA Status: Exempt

About the Role

The Student Support Specialist (SSS) supports the behavioral, social-emotional, mental wellness, and overall student support needs of students by providing prevention, intervention, and support services within the school setting. This position works collaboratively with students, families, and staff to promote student well-being, improve school engagement, reduce barriers to learning, and foster a positive, safe, and supportive school climate. The Student Support Specialist supports crisis response, behavioral support practices, and threat assessment teams. The position may also support multidisciplinary teams and provide responsive interventions to address emerging student needs that impact academic, behavioral, social, or emotional success.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in elementary education, special education, or counseling; Master’s degree preferred
• Demonstrated effective knowledge of and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student population
• Ability to develop positive and collaborative relationships with students, teachers, staff, administrators, and parents
• Demonstrated success in supporting positive and safe student behaviors
• Knowledgeable about developing and implementing behavior plans
• Certified (or willing to be certified upon hiring) in Safety-Care Crisis Prevention
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance
• Tuberculosis Screening

Responsibilities

• Assists in creating and maintaining a positive, safe, and inclusive school environment conducive to teaching and learning.
• Provides behavioral prevention, intervention, and support services for students experiencing social-emotional or behavioral challenges that impact academic success and school engagement.
• Coordinates and supports schoolwide behavior management systems, including clearly defined roles and responsibilities, data collection processes, positive reinforcement strategies, and tiered behavioral interventions.
• Collaborates with administrators, counselors, psychologists, teachers, families, and other staff to support student success and promote a positive school climate.
• Serves as the lead support for student conduct by coordinating behavioral interventions, communicating with families, and facilitating successful student reintegration into the classroom following disciplinary or behavioral incidents.
• Analyzes individual student and schoolwide behavioral data to identify trends, develop proactive interventions, evaluate program effectiveness, and support continuous improvement efforts.
• Responds to and helps resolve student behavioral concerns involving students, families, and staff.
• Develops, implements, and monitors individual student behavior intervention plans.
• Conducts Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) in collaboration with the Special Education Chairperson.
• Participates, as appropriate, in IEP and Section 504 meetings to support student behavioral and social-emotional needs.
• Serves as a resource to teachers and staff by providing guidance on evidence-based classroom behavior management strategies and positive behavioral supports.
• Assists with crisis response, threat assessment processes, harassment, intimidation, and bullying investigations, and student re-entry or transition planning, as appropriate.
• Maintains accurate, confidential, and timely records, reports, and program documentation in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and division procedures.
• Demonstrates professionalism, ethical conduct, cultural responsiveness, and sound judgment in all interactions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

This position operates in a professional school environment that includes classrooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias, auditoriums, and outdoor learning or recreational areas. The work environment involves noise levels that may range from low to moderate and requires frequent walking, standing, and movement throughout the school day. Occasional climbing, kneeling, or crouching may also be required. Periods of sitting are common while preparing lessons, grading assignments, or completing administrative tasks. The position may require lifting or moving instructional materials, classroom supplies, or equipment weighing up to 10 pounds on a regular basis and occasionally up to 25 pounds or more. Regular use of computers, interactive whiteboards, projectors, printers, and other instructional technologies is required to support teaching and learning. Clear verbal communication, active listening, and visual attentiveness are essential for delivering instruction and ensuring student safety. The role involves daily interaction with students and regular collaboration with colleagues, administrators, and families. Occasional travel between school sites or participation in supervised field trips may also be required. Teachers must be able to manage multiple responsibilities and adapt to the demands of a dynamic, fast-paced educational environment.