Student Support Specialist

Minimum Requirements

General Specialty

• Master’s degree program from an accredited college or university.
• Five years of full-time paid, professional educational experience, which have included technical consultation, technical assistance, and the implementation of 504 policy and practice at the elementary and secondary levels.

     OR

• Any equivalent combination of training and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Talent.

Brain Injury Specialty

• Master’s degree program from an accredited college or university.
• Five years of full-time paid, professional educational experience, which have included technical consultation, technical assistance, and the implementation of 504 policy and practice at the elementary and secondary levels and has involved working with the technical aspects of brain injuries and related student impact best practices.

     OR

• Any equivalent combination of training and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Talent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Demonstrated knowledge of:

• federal and state laws, regulations, and procedures specific to public elementary and secondary education, including the following: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act of 2008; Chapter 15 of the Pennsylvania School Code; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

• Demonstrated ability to:
  • develop school-based service agreements with accommodations aligned to student needs in compliance with Section 504.
  • communicate complex disability policy to practitioners and facilitate the application and adaptation of policy to practice.
  • design, coordinate, deliver, and adapt (based on needs assessment and continuous improvement) technical consultation and technical assistance to school-based staff on 504 policy and procedure.

• learn and turn-around training on use of an electronic documentation system.
• use an electronic data system to monitor, track, analyze, and report on outcomes. 
• work collaboratively with external partners and agencies, in particular those focused on disability compliance.
• learn District policies and procedures related to disability policy and procedure.
• interpret District policies and apply them to individual circumstances and situations in an appropriate manner.
• work collaboratively across offices and divisions.
• exercise discretion and tact in dealing with sensitive situations.
• maintain necessary records and files.
• use a personal computer.
• express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. 

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Philadelphia provides to all persons equal access to all categories of employment in this District, regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin or handicap/disability, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 104 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.