Fall 2026* Upper School Student Support Specialist

Job Title: Upper School Student Support Specialist

Reports To: Special Education Teacher

Supervisory: No

Pay Type: If yes:
Employees Contract Wkrs, Hourly

Compensation:

• Pay range: $17.00-$19.50/hour
• Benefits:
  For employees contracted for 30 hours per week or more, Thomas Mac Laren School pays for 100% of the employee’s base insurance premiums (Health, Dental, Vision, Long-term and Short-term disability, Accidental Death and Disassociation insurance, and Life insurance) for the base level coverages. No benefits are provided to employees contracted for less than 30 hours per week.

General

Purpose:

To provide support to students in special education programs.

• At the direction of the Special Education Coordinator, assist faculty members (general education and Special Education) in working with students who need academic, behavioral, or SEL support.
• Work in small groups or one-on-one with students.
• Assist Special Education team in the implementation of IEP’s.
• Assist students in material organization for academic success.
• Provides research-based, data driven specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) as directed by the Special Education Coordinator.
• Implements self-care programs including direct assistance to students such as toileting, positioning, lifting, etc. as needed based on students’ needs.
• Any other duties as assigned.

This description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities of this job. It is intended only to be an accurate reflection of the principal job elements.

• Education:
  
  High School degree;
  Associate Degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Other knowledge, skills, and abilities:
  • Exceptionally well-organized.
  • Creative in assisting students with organization.
  • Exhibits patience and kindness towards students.
  • Experience with behavior intervention programs encouraged.
  • Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification (or willingness to attend certification training), and the physical ability to apply the necessary CPI techniques.
  • Clear and regular communication with faculty members and Head of School.
  • Love of educating children.
  • Ability to impart a love of learning to children.
  • Ability to administer oral examinations.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with both children and adults.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative environment.
  • Commitment to a diverse population of students and to closing the achievement gap.

• Extreme cold or heat.
• Visual acuity:
  Near/Far.
• Heights.
• Hearing.
• Noise.
• Speech.
• Driving.
• Eye/hand coordination.
• Walking/Uneven surfaces.
• Work alone.
• Local travel.
• Work with others.
• National travel.
• Moving heavy items (several levels: seldom, occasional, frequent).
• Lifting/Lowering: over 30 lb, over 20 lb, 0-20 lb.
• Computer: lifting over shoulder: over 30 lb, over 20 lb, 0-20 lb.
• Copier: reaching over shoulder: over 30 lb, over 20 lb, 0-20 lb.
• Mouse: any weight.
• Carrying: over 30 lb, over 20 lb, 0-20 lb.
• Telephone: any weight.
• Pushing/Pulling: over 30 lb, over 20 lb, 0-20 lb.
• Other: pulling: over 30 lb, over 20 lb, 0-20 lb.