Student Advocacy Specialist

Central Office; Rome (GA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Rome City Schools in Rome, GA seeks a Student Advocacy Specialist to coordinate behavioral and mental health supports for students. The role focuses on data-driven identification, referrals to telehealth and community providers, and managing tiered training programs to improve outcomes.

The specialist will document outcomes, participate in state trainings, and align health resources with district safety plans while engaging families for wraparound services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related behavioral health field.
• Alternative PSC certification required if degree differs.
• Data coursework in statistics or data analysis preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop systems to identify students at risk for mental/behavioral health concerns.
• Analyze attendance, discipline, and performance data to spot early signs.
• Facilitate referrals to school-based counseling, telehealth, and community providers.
• Coordinate case management and wraparound plans for students returning from psychiatric care or detention.
• Maintain a current directory of local partners and contacts for access to services.
• Engage families and coordinate resources and guidance on available supports.
• Coordinate training on trauma-informed practices and suicide prevention.
• Collaborate with community agencies to connect students with small-group support.
• Ensure documentation and reporting of program outcomes to leadership and state agencies.
• Integrate health supports into school safety plans with safety teams.

Skills

Communication

Problem identification

Resource navigation

Program management

Collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, psychology

PSC certification (alternative degree)

Data coursework (statistics or data analysis)

Job description

Student Advocacy Specialist

Rome City Schools Central Office - Rome, Georgia Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Rome City Schools

Job Details

Job ID: 5501237

Application Deadline: Dec 31, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Posted: Jan 16, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Welcome, and thank you for considering joining theRome City Schools family!

We are thrilled that you are exploring the opportunity to be a part of our community, where we are committed to the philosophy of"TEACH ROME for a Better YOU."

At Rome City Schools, we believe teaching is not just a profession—it’s a pathway to personal and professional growth. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Feel Inspired: Empower students and make a lasting impact.
• Work with Purpose: Collaborate with dedicated educators and leaders.
• Move Forward: Advance your skills with innovative professional development.
• Eat Well: Enjoy our vibrant community with diverse local dining options.
• Sleep Peacefully: Experience a safe and welcoming environment to call home.
• Play Often: Explore the culture, parks, and recreation opportunities unique to Rome.
• Grow Together: Thrive in a supportive environment that values your success.

POSITION TITLE: Student Advocacy Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Student Services

WORK DAYS: 210 Days

REPORTS TO: Superintendent or designee

JOB SUMMARY: The Student Advocacy Specialist is a state-prioritized role established under the Official Code of Georgia 20-2-779.1 to coordinate behavioral and mental health interventions for students. The position is responsible for identifying at-risk students through data analysis, facilitating access to a continuum of supports such as telehealth and community providers, and managing tiered behavioral health training programs. Additionally, the specialist ensures compliance by documenting program outcomes, attending mandatory state-level training, and integrating mental health supports into official school safety plans. This role is supported by state grants to reimburse districts for salaries and benefits, with the number of specialists per district determined by student enrollment size.

Major Responsibilities

• Develop and implement systems with school teams to proactively identify students at risk for mental and behavioral health concerns.
• Analyze attendance, discipline, academic performance, and screening tools to identify early warning signs.
• Facilitate referrals to a continuum of supports, including school-based counseling, telehealth services, and community-based providers.
• Coordinate case management and support plans for students returning to school from restrictive settings, such as psychiatric care or detention centers.
• Build and maintain a current resource directory of local partners and points of contact for all school partners to access.
• Engage families as partners in the intervention process and offer guidance on available resources.
• Coordinate initiatives promoting mental health awareness and a positive school climate, including mandatory staff training on trauma-informed practices and suicide prevention.
• Partner with community agencies to ensure students with emerging concerns have access to small-group support and targeted services.
• Facilitate individualized plans and wraparound services for students with severe behavioral health needs.
• Document and evaluate the outcomes of all behavioral health programs and report progress to district leadership and state agencies.
• Collaborate with school-level safety and threat assessment teams to integrate health supports into official school safety plans.
• Attend mandatory training and information meetings facilitated by GEMA/HS, DBHDD, and the Georgia Department of Education.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by the Superintendent.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Required in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field.
• Alternative Certification: If you have a different degree but comparable experience, you must have a Professional Standards Commission (PSC) certification.
• Data Coursework (Preferred): Completion of classes in statistics or data analysis.

Experience:

• Behavioral Health: Professional background in social work, counseling, or psychology.
• Student Support Systems: Experience working with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
• Case Management: Experience coordinating services for students, especially those returning from psychiatric care or detention centers.
• Data Usage (Preferred): Experience using data and school metrics to make decisions or evaluate programs.

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:

• Communication: Ability to talk effectively with students, parents, teachers, and state agency leaders.
• Problem Identification: Ability to look at attendance and discipline data to spot students who may be at risk.
• Resource Navigation: Knowledge of how to connect families with telehealth, community providers, and insurance coordinators.
• Program Management: Ability to track, document, and report on the success of mental health programs.
• Collaboration: Ability to work with school safety teams to include mental health support in official safety plans.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with state-mandated training for trauma-informed practices and suicide prevention.

The Board of Education and the Superintendent may accept alternatives to some of the above requirements.

Position Type: Full-Time

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Phone: [phone]