Social-Emotional Learning Specialist

Boone Community School District's mission is to foster academic and extracurricular excellence through the Portrait of a Graduate pillars. We are committed to providing every student with rigorous and enriching educational opportunities within a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment. Our goal is to nurture the development of productive, caring, and engaged citizens who are equipped to thrive in a dynamic world. We are not only committed to being an equal opportunity employer, but also actively strives to create a diverse workforce that reflects the demographics of its students and community, prioritizing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills within its teams. Expect the BEST...Achieve SUCCESS!
 

Title:  Social-Emotional Learning Specialist
Reports To:  Building Principal
Work Year:  187 Days, 8 hours per day

FLSA Exempt Status: Non-Exempt

(Hourly Position)

Pay Rate: $25.00 per hour
Pay Period:  Direct Deposit on the last day of the month

Position Summary

We are looking for a patient, high-energy, and empathetic SEL Specialist to join our PreK–1st grade team. In this role, you will help at-risk students towards achievement of successful classroom participation.

Your mission is to facilitate, model, teach, and reinforce the foundational social skills that allow students to thrive.

Key Responsibilities

1. Targeted Small-Group Intervention

• Identify and facilitate small-group sessions for students with "lagging skills," focusing on conflict resolution, confidence-building, and cooperative play.
• Coach students on practical "in-the-moment" strategies, such as how to take an appropriate break, join a peer group, or share materials.

2. Collaboration & Support

• Collaboration: Support student success and consistent systems for behavior intervention.
• Team Participation: Actively participate in school-based support teams (e.g., MTSS) to identify and address student needs.
• Intentional Co-regulation: Serve as a calm, grounded presence for students navigating "big emotions" or the fallout of significant life events, helping them return to a state of safety and readiness.
• Skilled Response: Apply trauma-informed techniques to de-escalate crises, ensuring safety and dignity.

3. Whole-Group SEL Instruction

• Co-design and deliver engaging, age-appropriate lessons to PreK, Kindergarten, and 1st-grade classrooms. Working closely with instructional and behavioral coaches to design instruction and response to students.
• Teach core competencies, including self-awareness, self-control, and emotional regulation through storytelling, role-playing, and hands-on activities.
• Support the implementation and integration of the CharacterStrong curriculum.

4. Modeling & Integration

• Push into classrooms to model SEL techniques for both students and staff, demonstrating how to de-escalate "big emotions" in real-time.
• Promote a school-wide culture of positive self-talk and a growth mindset.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Child, Adult, and Family Services, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field. (Transcripts required for evaluation)
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in word processing and digital record-keeping; strong oral and written communication skills.
• Expertise: Preferred experience
  • teaching co-regulation strategies
  • working with at-risk youth or early childhood populations in a behavioral or educational capacity
  • coordinating with outside agencies to connect students and families to resources. 

Soft Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills, ability to maintain confidentiality, and the capacity to manage volatile or stressful situations with professional composure.

Why This Role Matters: For many of our students, school is the first place they learn that they are capable of managing their world. You are the person who gives them the tools to do it!

District Values

Our staff work daily to:

• Value the Uniqueness of All
• Give a Fresh Start Each Day
• Partner with Families
• Develop Positive Character
• Ensure Learning

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Listed below are the essential tasks required for this job.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Boone Community School District is an equal opportunity employer. If you have questions or a grievance, contact the BCSD Equity Coordinator Mrs. Jill Janes, jjanes@boone.k12.ia.us, at BCSD, 500 7th Street, Boone, Iowa 50036; (515) 433-0750.