Student Support Specialist

Sylvania; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Manassas Park City School Board in Manassas Park, VA seeks a Student Support Specialist to enhance student wellbeing and school climate. Collaborate with families and staff to deliver prevention, intervention, and support services for behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health needs.

The role emphasizes coordination of schoolwide behavior systems, data-driven interventions, and successful reintegration after incidents, leveraging Crisis Prevention skills and IEP/504 involvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in elementary education, special education or counseling; Master’s degree preferred.
• Must demonstrate effective knowledge of and be sensitive 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.

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.

Skills

Diversity sensitivity

Relationship building

Behavior support experience

Behavior plan development

Crisis prevention certification

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in elementary education, special education or counseling

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

POSITION: STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST - MPES

LOCATION: Manassas Park Elementary School

SALARY: Teacher - 220 Scale

HOURS: Full Time, 7.5 Hours per day (Benefits-Eligible)

POSITION LENGTH: 220 Days (11-Months)

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: School Principal

JOB SUMMARY:

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.

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND SKILLS:

• Must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in elementary education, special education or counseling; Master’s degree preferred
• Must demonstrate effective knowledge of and be sensitive 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 be willing to be certified upon hiring) in Safety-Care Crisis Prevention

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• 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.

CLEARANCES (Conditions for employment):

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance
• Tuberculosis Screening

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Manassas Park City School Board is an equal opportunity employer, committed to nondiscrimination in recruitment, selection, hiring, pay, promotion, retention or and other personnel actions affecting employees or candidates for employment. Therefore, discrimination in employment against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, military status, genetic information or disability is prohibited, as required by federal and state laws and regulations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

This job description is intended to reflect the general nature and level of work performed by the employee. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other responsibilities as necessary.