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S5
SAU 58
Student Support Specialist
Career Insights for Academic / Guidance Counselor
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What they do
An Academic or Guidance Counselor provides guidance to students in elementary, middle and high schools to help them succeed academically and socially. Works with school teachers and administrators to address problems that affect student performance, and identifies resources for students and families. Helps high school students to plan academic course work and advises on the college search and application process.
$77,743 / year median in New Hampshire
+7% projected growth
Job Description
Student Support Specialists
Provide direct support and early intervention services for students impacted by alcohol, tobacco, vaping, and other substance use, as well as co-occurring mental health concerns.
Facilitate educational and skill-building support groups (e.g., coping mechanisms, decision-making, refusal skills, stress management) for middle and high school students (grades 6-12).Conduct initial risk assessments, crisis support, and immediate interventions, coordinating appropriate community mental health or addiction treatment referrals when necessary.
Maintain JSI grant compliance, including accurate tracking of student services, progress metrics, and timely reporting to grant monitors.
Help develop, implement, and monitor Tier 1 social emotional and behavioral programming and Tier 2 social-emotional and behavioral intervention plans for students demonstrating academic, attendance, or behavioral challenges.
Provide targeted individual and small-group coaching using evidenced based strategies in executive functioning, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and attendance recovery.
Collaborate with administrators, school counselors and classroom teachers to implement and monitor student success plans across grades 6-12.Utilize multi-source data (attendance, discipline referrals, academic benchmarks, SEL screeners) to identify at-risk students early and evaluate intervention efficacy.
Assist in delivering school-wide wellness campaigns, prevention initiatives, and peer leadership opportunities.
Support restorative practices as constructive alternatives to exclusionary discipline in collaboration with school leadership.
Establish proactive, respectful partnerships with all stakeholders to foster active engagement in student support and intervention plans.
Guidance Department Administrative Support (25% Allocation).Help maintain student cumulative files, counseling records, enrollment/withdrawal paperwork, and official transcript requests in compliance with FERPA.Assist with Student Information System (SIS) data entry, schedule change logistics, and report generation.
Coordinate administrative logistics for standardized testing, college admissions visits, career programming, and scholarship applications.
Regular interaction with students, staff, families, and community service agencies.
REPORTS TO
Building PrincipalPOSITION SUMMARY
The Student Support Specialist serves a dual-focused, vital role in supporting the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral growth of students in grades 6-12 within SAU #58. Funded 75% through the JSI (John Snow, Inc.) Grant, this position expands beyond traditional Student Assistance Program (SAP) functions to lead and support a robust Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. The position provides universal, targeted, and intensive behavioral and social-emotional interventions, substance misuse prevention and early intervention, crisis support, and progress monitoring. Additionally, 25% of the position provides essential administrative and secretarial support to the Guidance Department, maintaining efficient office operations, student records, and counseling department scheduling.CORE PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
JSI Grant & Student Assistance Program (SAP) Core Duties (75% Allocation)Implement evidence-based substance misuse prevention, screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) protocols aligned with JSI grant guidelines.Provide direct support and early intervention services for students impacted by alcohol, tobacco, vaping, and other substance use, as well as co-occurring mental health concerns.
Facilitate educational and skill-building support groups (e.g., coping mechanisms, decision-making, refusal skills, stress management) for middle and high school students (grades 6-12).Conduct initial risk assessments, crisis support, and immediate interventions, coordinating appropriate community mental health or addiction treatment referrals when necessary.
Maintain JSI grant compliance, including accurate tracking of student services, progress metrics, and timely reporting to grant monitors.
MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORTS
(MTSS) & BEHAVIORALINTERVENTIONS
Serve as an active core member of the Grade 6-12 MTSS / Student Support Team / Behavioral Intervention Team.Help develop, implement, and monitor Tier 1 social emotional and behavioral programming and Tier 2 social-emotional and behavioral intervention plans for students demonstrating academic, attendance, or behavioral challenges.
Provide targeted individual and small-group coaching using evidenced based strategies in executive functioning, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and attendance recovery.
Collaborate with administrators, school counselors and classroom teachers to implement and monitor student success plans across grades 6-12.Utilize multi-source data (attendance, discipline referrals, academic benchmarks, SEL screeners) to identify at-risk students early and evaluate intervention efficacy.
STUDENT CULTURE, CLIMATE & SCHOOL-WIDE ENGAGEMENT
Help promote a positive, safe, inclusive, and restorative school culture across the 6-12 building that supports student belonging and resilience.Assist in delivering school-wide wellness campaigns, prevention initiatives, and peer leadership opportunities.
Support restorative practices as constructive alternatives to exclusionary discipline in collaboration with school leadership.
Establish proactive, respectful partnerships with all stakeholders to foster active engagement in student support and intervention plans.
Guidance Department Administrative Support (25% Allocation).Help maintain student cumulative files, counseling records, enrollment/withdrawal paperwork, and official transcript requests in compliance with FERPA.Assist with Student Information System (SIS) data entry, schedule change logistics, and report generation.
Coordinate administrative logistics for standardized testing, college admissions visits, career programming, and scholarship applications.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work Year:
185200 Days, 8 hour work days (Aligned with School Calendar & Summer Programs)Funding Structure:
Position is funded 75% through the JSI Grant and 25% through District Local Funds.Regular interaction with students, staff, families, and community service agencies.