Anticipated Student Assistance Program (SAP) Coordinator

Merrimack School District; Merrimack (NH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Merrimack School District is seeking a Student Assistance Program (SAP) Coordinator to support students in grades 7-12 at Merrimack High School and Merrimack Middle School. The role involves prevention, early identification, intervention, and referrals related to substance misuse and behavioral health needs.

The SAP Coordinator will be based primarily at Merrimack High School with a consistent presence at Merrimack Middle School, working with school teams, families, and community partners to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Health, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support students in grades 7-12 through prevention, early identification, intervention, referral, and follow-up services related to substance misuse and behavioral health needs.
• Collaborate with student support teams, families, staff, and community partners to strengthen prevention and early intervention services.
• Coordinate referrals to community-based behavioral health, prevention, treatment, and other youth- and family-serving resources.
• Provide information and resources to families regarding prevention, behavioral health, and available supports.
• Monitor referrals, participation, services, and program outcomes to inform continuous improvement.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Student Assistance Program (SAP) Coordinator

• Position Type: Student Support Services
• Date Posted: 8/25/2026
• Location: Merrimack High School
• Date Available: 08/26/2024

Primary Location: Merrimack High School
Schools Served: Merrimack High School and Merrimack Middle School
Grades Served: 7-12

Overview

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) Coordinator will support students in grades 7-12 at Merrimack High School and Merrimack Middle School through prevention, early identification, intervention, referral, and follow-up services related to substance misuse and behavioral health needs.

The SAP Coordinator will be primarily based at Merrimack High School while maintaining an active and consistent presence at Merrimack Middle School. The Coordinator will work collaboratively with existing student support teams, families, staff, and community partners to strengthen prevention and early intervention services and connect students with appropriate school and community-based supports.

Key Responsibilities

1. Prevention Education and Schoolwide Awareness

• Coordinate and provide evidence-based substance misuse prevention and behavioral health education for students in grades 7-12.
• Support schoolwide prevention and awareness activities at Merrimack High School and Merrimack Middle School.
• Provide classroom-based prevention education and other developmentally appropriate learning opportunities.
• Promote protective factors, healthy decision-making, resilience, and school connectedness.

2. Student Identification, Intervention, and Support

• Collaborate with student support teams to identify students who may benefit from SAP services.
• Provide confidential student assessment, brief intervention, individual and group skill-building opportunities, and follow-up support within the scope of the SAP model.
• Develop appropriate intervention and support plans in collaboration with students, families, and school-based professionals.
• Connect students requiring additional or more intensive services with appropriate school and community-based providers.

3. Family Engagement, Referral, and Care Coordination

• Engage parents and caregivers in prevention, education, and student support when appropriate.
• Provide information and resources to families regarding substance misuse prevention, behavioral health, and available community supports.
• Coordinate referrals to appropriate community-based behavioral health, prevention, treatment, and other youth- and family-serving resources.
• Support continuity and follow-up between students, families, school teams, and community providers as appropriate.

4. Staff Consultation and Professional Learning

• Serve as a resource to staff regarding substance misuse prevention, risk and protective factors, early identification, and referral pathways.
• Provide consultation and professional learning to strengthen staff understanding of SAP services and appropriate referral processes.
• Collaborate with counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, administrators, teachers, special education personnel, and other staff at both secondary schools.
• Participate in appropriate student support and multi-tiered support structures at Merrimack High School and Merrimack Middle School.

5. Partnership Development and Collaboration

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community prevention organizations, behavioral health providers, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and other youth- and family-serving organizations.
• Strengthen coordination between school-based supports and community resources.
• Support a coordinated continuum of prevention, early intervention, referral, and follow-up for students and families.
• Build visibility and relationships within both school communities to promote awareness of and access to SAP services.

6. Program Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain appropriate program data and documentation consistent with SAP requirements and applicable confidentiality requirements.
• Monitor referrals, participation, services, and program outcomes to inform continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with district and school leadership to evaluate implementation and identify emerging student and school needs.
• Use program data to help determine the effective allocation of SAP services between Merrimack High School and Merrimack Middle School.
• Complete required SAP training, reporting, and program implementation activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by administration consistent with the purpose of the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Health, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Experience working with adolescents in a school, behavioral health, prevention, counseling, or student support setting preferred.
• Knowledge of substance misuse prevention, behavioral health promotion, early intervention, and youth development.
• Knowledge of evidence-based prevention and intervention practices.
• Ability to develop positive and trusting relationships with adolescents and families.
• Strong communication, collaboration, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of multidisciplinary school teams and with community partners.
• Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to collect, review, and use program data to support continuous improvement.
• Commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive practices.
• Ability to work independently and manage responsibilities across two school settings.

Position Structure

The SAP Coordinator will be primarily based at Merrimack High School and will provide services to both Merrimack High School and Merrimack Middle School. The allocation of services between schools will be responsive to student need, referral patterns, prevention priorities, and program implementation data while maintaining an active connection with both secondary school communities.