Job Title: Student Services Advisor

Reports To: Building Principals & Assistant Principals

Location: Parker Middle School & Highlander Way Middle School

FLSA Status: Exempt

FTE: 1.0

Union Affiliation: HAA

SUMMARY:

The Student Services Advisor will work as a member of the middle school administrative team to facilitate aspects of student services regarding behavioral intervention programs and services, attendance and other duties as assigned. The Student Services Advisor will facilitate and support activities and services to improve the culture and climate of the school, address safety and security, and provide anti-bullying and/or crisis intervention programs. This position will work closely and collaboratively with administration, staff and parents to meet the needs of all students who are dealing with truancy and/or disciplinary issues. The Student Services Advisor will also assist in the coordination, development and implementation of Section 504 plans for students at the secondary level while keeping detailed, organized documentation regarding this process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Behavioral Intervention Services:
• Actively leads anti-bullying initiatives (including OK2SAY) and crisis intervention programs within the school.
• Works with parents, counseling staff and/or community agencies in regard to problems relating to drug and alcohol abuse, truancy, homelessness, mental health and/or social issues causing disciplinary action.
• Facilitates and supports programs and activities that address safety and security in the school.
• Confers with administration and staff to plan programs designed to promote educational, physical and social development that meets the needs of students while improving the culture and climate of the school.
• Section 504:
• Assists principals with Section 504 plans for students including preparation, documentation and creation of 504 plans during meetings with parents and teachers.
• Provides follow-up documentation to staff when 504 plans are completed .
• Maintains log of assigned students and details about contact with parents regarding annual review and/or full re-evaluation of 504 plans.
• Student Discipline & Attendance:
• Recommends, implements and fairly enforces building and District policies and procedures related to discipline.
• Uses positive and proactive techniques for improving student behavior and motivation.
• Keeps detailed documentation regarding student disciplinary investigations, contacts and follow-up with parents, administration, teachers, ancillary and support staff regarding student discipline.
• Maintains student discipline files.
• Provides updates to the Executive Director of Labor Relations & Personnel regarding disciplinary issues requiring Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs) for students and/or Due Process Hearings for disciplinary recommendations beyond ten (10) days.
• Works with students, parents and counseling staff to improve student attendance.
• Assists in organizing and facilitating all testing including NWEA, PSAT, M-STEP and other common assessments.
• Maintains regular predictable attendance.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervision of students as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field required.
• Master’s degree in Educational Administration or an Educational Specialist degree from an accredited institution preferred.
• Possession of a valid Michigan teaching certificate required, administrator certificate preferred.
• Five (5) years experience of successful teaching experience; teaching experience at the secondary level preferred.
• Demonstration of leadership ability in past teaching, administrative assignments and/or building/District level committee work.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certification preferred.
• Direct experience working in a school with a behavior support program.
• Specialized training and experience with implementation of PBIS and data collection/reports, and Capturing Kids Hearts.

LEADERSHIP:

• Demonstrates leadership in the ability to communicate a clear vision and to work cooperatively with others to attain the vision.
• Demonstrates a willingness to take professional risks to improve opportunities for students.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators, students, staff, parents and the general public consistent with the duties of this position.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as grants, journal articles, governmental forms and handbooks and is able to follow instructions.
• Superior ability to express self clearly; both orally and in writing.
• Excellent grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure consistent with the duties of this position.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations consistent with the duties of this position.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to solve complex problems and deal with variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form consistent with the duties of this position.
• Exhibit high level of professionalism with the ability to handle confidential information, use good judgment, plan and handle complex projects, and maintain a flexible attitude.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to see tasks through to successful conclusion.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

• Possess excellent communication skills with a client-centered focus.
• Ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse population.
• Ability to work with individuals and groups of students to support academics and behavior management.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff members, and the school community.
• Ability to take the initiative, work well with others as a collaborative team member, and exhibit good communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to effectively communicate, speak clearly, and communicate thoughts succinctly.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Strong understanding of using data to maximize student learning, prioritize needs, and assess programs.
• Knowledge of Michigan Department of Education rules and regulations pertaining to the discipline of general education and special education students, including appropriate timelines required for action.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all District requirements and Board policies.
• Professional demeanor in appearance and behavior.
• Ability to react well under pressure, handle and balance multiple demands at one time, work with frequent interruptions and perform duties and tasks at expected levels of professionalism with minimal supervision.
• Ability to learn new skills, flexibility and willingness to perform a variety of tasks.
• Proficient in problem solving skills.
• Accurate and detail oriented.
• Ability to work well with others, including administrative and support staff team, and follow written and oral directions.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to use both personal computer (PC) and Macintosh platform devices and applications in a networked environment.
• Strong knowledge of productivity applications such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software), Google platform applications (Classroom, Docs, Sheets) and others are required.
• Ability to create documents that are well organized and display information that is logical and graphically appealing.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and work independently, as well as cooperatively with diverse groups.
• Attention to detail and ability to edit documents to ensure error free communication.
• Excellent organizational skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stoop, reach, stand, walk, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, see, and use repetitive motions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift and/or move at least twenty-five (25) pounds of materials. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public/staff/students.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. Occasionally, the employee may be required to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job. This position does require travel from multiple buildings.

TERMS

Administrative benefit package provided in accordance with the Howell Public Schools and Howell Administrative Association collective bargaining agreement. The work year will include 207.3 days to be scheduled with and approved by the building principal.

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work, and to detail the required knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the duties of employees under supervision. Howell Public Schools retain and reserve any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to, or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment at any time.

This position description is not a contract for employment.

The Howell Public Schools District is a drug-free workplace and District policy requires drug testing for all potential employees. The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substances in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.

The Howell Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

It is the policy and commitment of the Howell Public Schools District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent State and Federal regulations.