Student Support Specialist

Independent School District 196; United States; On-site; USD 53,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Long term disability insurance

Sick-leave

State pension plan

Tax-deferred retirement savings

Flexible spending account

Vacation, holidays or personal leave

Job summary

Independent School District 196 is seeking a culturally competent Student Support Specialist to help students develop social and emotional skills aligned with our values of respect, determination, relationships and student scholarship. You will collaborate with the administrative team to provide academic and behavior support, fostering personal growth and student success.

The role involves supervising students, coordinating individual and group interventions, and partnering with families to

Qualifications

• Four-year degree (or near completion), with relevant coursework and experience in Education, Counseling, Restorative Justice, Social Work or Youth Development.
• Ability to work in a non-judgmental, culturally sensitive, and empowering manner with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Bi-lingual preferred; Spanish and/or Somali.
• Strong organizational skills with good attention to detail and time management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and handle stressful situations.
• Driver's license, clean driving record, insurance and vehicle for work purposes.
• Experience with AVID strategies
• Trauma-informed practices
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency working with a culturally, ethnically, racially and socioeconomically diverse school community is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work under the supervision of the Building Principal and Assistant Administrators.
• Oversee the development of students' social-emotional skills and behavioral growth, manage data collection, analysis, and reporting of progress and outcomes.
• Supervise students and promote a safe, respectful, harmonious environment for all participants.
• Bring people together to reconcile and build relationships when harm has been done.
• Empower students to identify and manage emotions, resolve conflicts, build positive relationships, and develop problem-solving skills.
• Develop and implement both individual and small-group interventions that help students build relationships, school connectedness, and the confidence to overcome challenges.
• Coach students to set, track, and achieve individual and group goals (academic, behavioral, college and career).
• Plan, lead and facilitate active and highly engaging educational, leadership, and enrichment activities for students and staff.
• Collaborate with staff and provide expertise to address and redirect challenging behaviors.
• Engage with parents/guardians, counselors, and teachers to support consistent social and emotional learning and development at home and in the classroom.
• Involvement in training sessions, conferences and workshops as assigned or appropriate

Skills

Social-emotional skills

Data collection and reporting

Culturally competent communication

Conflict resolution

Time management

Stress management

Spanish and/or Somali language

Education

Four-year degree (or near completion) in Education, Counseling, Restorative Justice, Social Work or Youth Development

Tools

AVID strategies

Job description

• Position Type: Other Non-Licensed Positions/ Student Support Specialist
• Date Posted: 10/22/2026
• Location: Parkview Elementary School
• Closing Date: 10/29/2026

Description: Student Support Specialist

8 hrs/day, 10 month calendar

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Office hours and evenings and weekends as necessary

Effective Date of Employment: ASAP

Application Deadline: October 29, 2026 – 4:00 p.m.

Overview: District 196 is seeking a culturally competent Student Support Specialist to support students in developing social and emotional skills that align with district 196 values of respect, determination, relationships and student scholarship. The Student Support Specialist works in collaboration with the administrative team to provide academic and behavior support by developing and maintaining an atmosphere focused on personal growth and achieving success for each student.

Responsibilities:

• Work under the supervision of the Building Principal and Assistant Administrators.
• Oversee the development of students' social-emotional skills and behavioral growth, manage data collection, analysis, and reporting of progress and outcomes.
• Supervise students and promote a safe, respectful, harmonious environment for all participants.
• Bring people together to reconcile and build relationships when harm has been done.
• Empower students to identify and manage emotions, resolve conflicts, build positive relationships, and develop problem-solving skills.
• Develop and implement both individual and small-group interventions that help students build relationships, school connectedness, and the confidence to overcome challenges.
• Coach students to set, track, and achieve individual and group goals (academic, behavioral, college and career).
• Plan, lead and facilitate active and highly engaging educational, leadership, and enrichment activities for students and staff.
• Collaborate with staff and provide expertise to address and redirect challenging behaviors.
• Engage with parents/guardians, counselors, and teachers to support consistent social and emotional learning and development at home and in the classroom.
• Involvement in training sessions, conferences and workshops as assigned or appropriate

Qualifications:

• Four-year degree (or near completion), with relevant coursework and experience in Education, Counseling, Restorative Justice, Social Work or Youth Development.
• Ability to work in a non-judgmental, culturally sensitive, and empowering manner with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Bi-lingual preferred; Spanish and/or Somali.
• Strong organizational skills with good attention to detail and time management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and handle stressful situations.
• Driver's license, clean driving record, insurance and vehicle for work purposes.
• Experience with AVID strategies
• Trauma-informed practices
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency working with a culturally, ethnically, racially and socioeconomically diverse school community is preferred.

Responsible To: School Principal

Compensation / Benefits:

Non-Licensed Specialist - Salary in the range of $53,486 - $59,428 (2026-27 salary range), based on 185 days @ 8 hrs./day

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Long term disability insurance
• Sick-leave
• State pension plan
• Tax-deferred retirement savings account
• Flexible spending account
• Vacation, holidays or personal leave (some employee groups also receive)

Our team of dedicated educators is committed to the mission of Educating, developing, and inspiring our students for lifelong success. Our core values are student-centered, based in empathy and integrity to support the wellbeing of the whole person, and learning with high expectations for all. Our culture of collaboration fosters an environment of inclusivity, engagement and belonging for all students, and inspires a love of learning for all ages. Our vision is to provide the experiences that our students, families and employees desire by developing the whole student and honoring diverse needs and cultures; engaging students with opportunities in academics, arts and athletics (Triple A philosophy), and living our mission to prepare students for lifelong success.

District 196 is a Minnesota public school district of choice, serving more than 29,000 students and 160,000 residents in the cities of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Coates, Empire, Inver Grove Heights and Lakeville, and Vermillion Township. District 196 is the third largest school district in Minnesota and among the largest employers in Dakota County, with more than 4,000 full- and part-time employees. District 196 has been named to Forbes' list of America's Best-in-State Employers multiple times based on a survey asking employees to rate their employers and how likely they would be to recommend them to others.

District 196 has 20elementary schools (grades K-5); six middle schools (grades 6-8); four high schools (grades 9-12); an optional School of Environmental Studies for juniors and seniors; an Area Learning Center high school program; a K-12 special education school, and a special education program serving young adults ages 18-22. The district also operates three learning centers that provide early childhood and Adult Basic Education services, and offers extensive community education programs and classes for learners of all ages.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As required by Title IX and other state and federal nondiscrimination laws, District 196 does not discriminate in employment or in any of its education programs and activities, including vocational opportunities, on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, familial status,* disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, membership or activity in a local human rights commission,* age or genetic information.* District 196 provides equal access to designated youth groups.

The Director of Human Resources, Joel Milteer (651-423-7859 – [e-mail] ) is thedesignated Title IX Coordinator and has also been designated to respond to employment-related inquiries regarding the district's non-discrimination policies. The Director of Elementary Education, Jeremy Sorenson (651-423-7782 – [e-mail]) and the Director of Secondary Education, Eric Hansen (651-423-7712 – [e-mail]) have been designated to respond to student-related inquiries regarding the district's non-discrimination policies. The Director of Special Education, Janet Fimmen (651-423-7629 – [e-mail]) has been designated to respond to inquiries concerning the rights of a student with a disability. The mailing address for all directors is 3455 153rd Street W, Rosemount, MN 55068. Title IX inquiries may also be referred to the Assistant Secretary of the US Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

*Asterisked categories are limited to employment-related discrimination and harassment.