Student Navigator

A Little About Us:

Potomac Community Services has been serving individuals with mental health needs in person and in community for more than 25 years! Literally meeting people where they are and working alongside them, has developed our passion for true, client led community work helping people achieve their goals and achieve sustainable independence.

Job Description:

The role of a Student Navigator is to work with students, families, school staff, and community partners to help students stay connected, supported, and engaged in their education. Areas of focus include but are not limited to school attendance, student engagement, academic progress, caregiver involvement, access to community resources, and long-term family support.

Student Navigators help identify barriers that may be affecting attendance or engagement and work to connect students and families with practical, sustainable supports. This role strengthens communication between the home, school, and community so students are not navigating challenges alone and caregivers feel more confident accessing available resources.

It is meaningful and challenging work for sure, but helping students re-engage in school, strengthen family support, reduce barriers, and improve long-term outcomes makes this role deeply rewarding.

Essential Duties – Student Navigator

• Respond promptly and appropriately to requests from school staff, students, caregivers, and community partners.
• Maintain strong, professional working relationships with Washington County Public Schools staff, PCS team members, Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) -funded providers, and other community partners.
• Serve as a liaison between PCS, Washington County Public Schools, families, and community agencies to support coordinated communication and service delivery.
• Coordinate with school-based teams and community providers to ensure role clarity, continuity of care, and alignment with existing school and community supports.
• Connect eligible students and families to appropriate long-term, sustainable supports and services.
• Motivate and support students in attending school regularly, arriving on time, and remaining engaged in their academic progress.
• Implement strategies designed to improve school attendance, student engagement, and academic performance, particularly for students experiencing or at risk of chronic absenteeism.
• Support timely referrals and connections to appropriate levels of intervention and support within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework.
• Deliver services that are coordinated, integrated, and aligned with school, family, and community resources to reduce fragmentation and strengthen outcomes for students and families.
• Learn and implement required evidence-based programs and models with fidelity.
• Use evidence-based approaches that intentionally center caregiver engagement and promote consistency across home and school environments.
• Apply culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices that recognize diverse family experiences, promote inclusion, and support meaningful participation.
• Adapt engagement strategies to meet families where they are and encourage sustained caregiver involvement.
• Support increased caregiver engagement, capacity, and confidence in navigating school and community resources.
• Maintain flexibility in scheduling, including early morning and evening availability as needed, to accommodate school schedules, caregiver availability, and program needs.

Our Commitment to Diversity:

At Potomac Community Services, we embrace workplace diversity. We believe that diversity drives richer insights, fuels innovation, and creates better outcomes. We are committed to attracting and developing an engaged and inclusive workforce. Team members from diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives are crucial to the Potomac Community Services mission of influencing generations. Individuals seeking career opportunities at Potomac Community Services are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under all applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.

Our Commitment to Staff Development:

• 12-week comprehensive mentor-based training period
• Ongoing, scheduled supervisor and clinical support/ feedback sessions
• Internal job growth opportunities in leadership and diverse programming
• Both annual in-service and paid outside training opportunities
• Tuition re-imbursement and intern opportunities for related degrees

Our Intentional Culture:

• Core value focused team
• Genuinely strength-based approach (both with clients and staff)
• Fun and positive team energy through shared collaboration and activities
• Commitment to authentic opportunities for individual success
• Long term, big picture career interest in staff growth
• Outcome focused approach in helping others
• Compassionate dedication to team health and resilience

Job Type: Full-time

• Minimum of 4-year degree (related human service degree preferred but not required)
• Minimum of 1 year youth (working directly with youth under 18) REQUIRED.
• Volunteer/internship experience may be counted.
• Valid Driver's License

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Hagerstown, MD 21740: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Schedule:

• Day Shift - but will require some early evenings: 5-7 p.m. (at least 3 times a week), especially during school seasons.

Work Location:

• In person

Other requirements:

• Creative and compassionate attitude
• Empathy resilience and open mindedness
• Interest in working both with children and their parents
• Strong communication and collaborative skills
• Eagerness to learn and grow professionally