Student Support Specialist

Virginia Beach City Public Schools; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid sick/annual leave

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Virginia Retirement System

Job summary

Virginia Beach City Public Schools in Virginia Beach is seeking a Student Support Specialist to build pro-social skills and maintain proactive parent partnerships.

The role mentors at-risk students, supports transitions between alternative education centers and traditional schools, and coordinates community resources. Strong crisis intervention and record-keeping are required; experience with asset-building is preferred. Start date for 2026-2027 school year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or certificate in a related field and experience with at-risk youth preferred.
• Crisis intervention knowledge and ability to deescalate potentially dangerous situations.
• Understanding of 40 Developmental Assets and asset-building in students.

Responsibilities

• Mentor identified students to develop self-esteem for pro-social options.
• Collaborate with staff to transition students between programs and schools.
• Guide students to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes for academic success.
• Provide information workshops to parents.
• Facilitate small group instruction and conduct after-school interventions.

Skills

Verbal communication

Nonverbal communication

Record keeping

Microsoft Office

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in counseling, social work, psychology, sociology or related field

Collegiate Professional Certificate or Postgraduate Professional Certificate

Job description

General Responsibilities

The position is responsible for establishing a rapport with students in alternative settings that is conducive to learning pro-social skills. Must be able to maintain frequent, meaningful parental communication and develop proactive partnerships between the student/parent and the Virginia Beach City Public Schools to support academic achievement and pro-social behaviors. Act as a positive role model for students and model professional and ethical standards. Work in a collegial and collaborative manner with peers, school personnel and the school community to promote and support the mission and goals of the school division and abide by all school division policies and procedures.

• Mentor identified students to develop the skills and self-esteem necessary for them to exercise meaningful options in the areas of school, leisure, and inter/intra personal relationships.
• Work in a collegial and collaborative manner with peers and school personnel to ensure successful and efficient transitioning of students between alternative education programs/centers and comprehensive middle and high schools.
• Guide students as they develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for success in an academic system.
• Provide assistance to middle and high school Student Support Teams.
• Identify and implement appropriate interventions for students identified as being at-risk.
• Present professional development for administrators and teachers on substance abuse and anger management topics.
• Coordinate community resources to support student in crisis.
• Provide informational workshops to parents.
• Facilitate small group instruction when indicated.
• Conduct Choices after-school intervention program for students who consistently demonstrate inappropriate behaviors (excluding truancy) that interfere with learning.
• Use appropriate resources and technology to promote the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and pro-social behavior in students.
• Monitor student behaviors and make appropriate instructional modifications to develop responsible thinking/decision-making skills in students.
• Manage students effectively who may display impulsive behaviors, low self-esteem, and impaired social skills.
• Maintain accurate records of student progress and attendance.
• Participate in meaningful and continuous professional development that promotes student learning.
• Perform related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Possess knowledge of the local, state, and national support services and agencies available to at-risk youth; ability to establish a collaborative innovative learning environment that is responsive to at-risk students' need to belong and to develop self-esteem and personal and social responsibility; recognize multicultural perspectives in all areas of the curriculum and emphasize the value of cultural diversity; demonstrate an ability to work as part of a collaborative team; demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques to foster positive interactions with students; maintain accurate and confidential records and demonstrate computer proficiency, especially with Microsoft office software programs.

Education And Experience

Bachelor's Degree in counseling, social work, psychology, sociology or a related field or hold a Collegiate Professional Certificate or Postgraduate Professional Certificate. Background in working with students in alternative or at-risk settings, instructional knowledge of crisis intervention strategies, ability to apply a gradually progressive system of verbal and non-verbal strategies to effectively deescalate potentially dangerous situations and understanding of 40 Developmental Assets and support of intentional asset building in students preferred. A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

Reports To Director/Designee

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Job Posting Link https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1675176749/vbschoolscom/vahuvu3jo52wgtfqahf5/StudentSupportSpecialist.pdf

Salary Range: From/To

Salary range: $55,269-$80,619 (11 Months)

Salary will be based on job-related creditable years of full-time, verified work experience. Entry-level salary will be awarded at the time of hire. Upon the return of employment verification forms from the candidate's current and previous employers, the salary will be adjusted if creditable full-time experience is confirmed.

VBCPS offers a full range of benefits including health insurance, paid life insurance, paid sick/annual leave, tuition reimbursement, professional development and membership in the Virginia Retirement System.

Unified Experience Based Step Pay Scale: U17

FTE 1.000

Start Date 2026-2027 School Yr