Position Title: Student and Family Support Specialist

Bargaining Unit: Grand Rapids Educational Officers Association (GREOA)

Pay: Determined by the collective bargaining agreement

Earning Days: Determined by the negotiated calendar

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.  

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The primary focus of the Student and Family Support Specialist is to provide intervention for identified students, assist those students in reaching proficiency, and empower families to support their children's success in school.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS - Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Work with all identified students in need of support with academics, attendance, and behavior.  
• Assist with team approach (students, family, teacher, specialist, principal) to assess individual student’s needs and initiate appropriate intervention plan.
• Consult with the school's Student Support Team regarding identified students.
• Assist identified students and their families in developing problem-solving skills.
• Develop positive relationships with students, staff and parents.
• Work on special afterschool projects for students.
• Participate in conferences with identified students and parents.
• Visit with identified students referred by principals for assistance and help resolve problems.
• Other duties as assigned.

This description is intended to describe the type and level of work performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required to be performed in the position.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate degree required, preferably in education, criminal justice, social work, or human services.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

• Experience working with students and families, required.
• Ability to effectively function as a professional team member.
• Strong organizational skills and aptitude for detail work.
• Possess a high level of communication skills (written and oral).
• Ability to deal with the diversity of an urban community population.
• Ability to transport students and families when needed.
• Must have reliable transportation and valid driver's license.

ADA REQUIREMENTS:       

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate.  Work is performed indoors although there will be required outdoor activities.  The employee is directly responsible for the safety and well-being of students.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:

Grand Rapids Public Schools manages employment applications online.  Applications must be completed online at https://grps.tedk12.com/hire. No hardcopy applications/resumes will be accepted for this position.  Computer terminals are available in the GRPS Franklin Campus lobby from 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday-Friday, for applicant use (Monday – Thursday during the summer).

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at 616 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org