About this role
POSITION: Student Support Specialist
SCHEDULE: 7 hours per day; 7:20 a.m.-2:50 p.m. (start/end times may be adjusted based on student/building need); Monday-Friday; 180 days (school year)
LOCATION: Westwood Middle School
SUPERVISOR: Building Principal(s)
POSITION TYPE: Classified, Ongoing
COMPENSATION: $23.68-$28.52/hour depending on comparable experience; Pay is annualized over 12 months (if hired after start of school year, spread over remaining months of fiscal year (Sept-Aug)) ***Degrees eligible for a salary enhancement as follows, regardless of degree program or position with the district (cannot be stacked in the case of multiple degrees (highest degree stipend will be applied)) · AA, BA, MA degree, or PhD, adds $0.50/hour, $1.00/hour, $1.50/hour, $2.00/hour, respectively***
BENEFITS: Medical, dental, vision, and basic life and AD&D insurance; retirement plan; deferred compensation (DRS and TSA); paid holidays; paid leave
QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor's Degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related field required; Previous experience as a teacher, counselor, child psychologist, social worker, or related field preferred; Training and/or experience in Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) preferred; Must have access to reliable transportation; Ability to use proper grammar, spelling, and language in both oral and written communication, as well as basic math skills; Basic computer knowledge and skills, including Google Workspace, MS Windows and Word; WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance
POSITION: Student Support Specialist GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Student Support Specialist provides instruction, interventions, and supervision to students as necessary. The Student Support Specialist assists with de-escalating students, facilitates restorative conferences, and helps students address issues that must be resolved for them to successfully return to their normal school routine. The Student Support Specialist also serves as an important part of the building student response/crisis team. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES An employee hired for this assignment may perform all or some of the responsibilities defined below:
• Lead restorative conferences between students and students/staff
• Advise students individually or in small groups regarding behavior related issues
• Work with individual and small groups of students
• Provide interventions designed to help students change behaviors, improve relationships, and repair damage resulting from misbehaviors
• Act as part of the building response/crisis team, supporting the de-escalation of student behavior
• Support and implement a positive school climate based on the principles of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
• Support school-wide systems, including but not limited to: In-School Intervention (ISI), After-School Detention (ASD), etc.
• Assist with the implementation of district-adopted de-escalation and restraint strategies
• Implement individual and school wide behavior support plans and positive interventions
• Implement clear expectations set forth for successful building safety procedures
• Promote students' best interests through positive role modeling and student advocacy
• Maintain a safe and orderly learning environment by implementing effective and positive methods of student discipline in compliance with state laws and district policies
• Support implementation of teacher-designed instructional activities and classroom environment
• Communicate with teachers, counselors, and parents regarding students assigned to In-School Intervention (ISI), After-School Detention (ASD), etc.
• Create action plans students and staff can take together to support a building environment centered on student safety and belonging
• Listen attentively to concerns expressed by staff, students, and patrons
• Provide thoughtful collaboration for decisions that require school-wide commitment for implementation
• Supervise, model, and teach expected behaviors across educational settings, including classrooms, lunchroom, hallways, fields, gyms, etc.
• Foster student development through activities and active engagement with students
• Administer assessment materials as trained or delegated
• Assist in preparation of instructional materials and perform clerical duties associated with general instruction and behavior programs
• Consistently and respectfully respond to student needs while maintaining confidentiality
• Perform first aid
The preceding list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Each of the positions at the specific school serves as one unit of the whole team, and as such, is subject to assignment to tasks in other areas within the classification. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: student safety and participation in activities which contribute to a positive school climate; positive and corrective behavior management techniques; Washington state and district safety and discipline laws and policies; school-related law and accommodation procedures for students with special needs; use technology to enhance effective record keeping and communication of safety and access plans; computer skills, including the ability to create and modify documents and to adapt to new technologies, e-mail, internet, etc.; district student information system Ability to: work in a team setting and take direction; balance firm and consistent discipline with positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS); learn and apply both positive and corrective behavior management techniques; promote students' best interests through positive role modeling and student advocacy; remain calm in times of high stress; move quickly to meet student needs; maintain safety and respond to crisis; maintain confidentiality; supervise unstructured activities, including ability to respond quickly to an emergency or student need; demonstrate enthusiasm for student safety and wellbeing at school; possess organizational skills; demonstrate a strong work ethic; know when to lead specific actions for successful implementation; be trained in district-approved de-escalation and restraint procedures as required; learn and operate a variety of educational/office equipment; read and follow written and verbal instructions, as well as communicate clearly in both verbal and written communications; use proper grammar, spelling, and language in both oral and written communication, as well as basic math skills; work variable hours as requested/needed; work alone or in a team setting; collaborate effectively with administrators and teachers; maintain positive relationships with students, parents, co-workers, and community members MENTAL DEMANDS
• Required to deal with a wide range of student, staff and public behaviors and needs in a positive and service-oriented manner
• May experience shifts in work schedule and/or work site according to district needs
• Sustain mental awareness while also maintaining attention to details and safety requirements
• May frequently deal with distraught or difficult students or parents
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Amount of sitting, standing and walking may vary depending on the age of students and classroom assignments. Generally, the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing.
• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: the employee frequently will stand and walk and use hands for repetitive grasping and significant fine finger dexterity. The employee is occasionally required to sit, bend at neck and back, use hands to push/pull and lift/carry; squat, kneel, climb stairs or ladders, reach overhead, lift overhead, and knee stand.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related field required
• Previous experience as a teacher, counselor, child psychologist, social worker, or related field preferred
• Training and/or experience in Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) preferred
• Must have access to reliable transportation
• Ability to use proper grammar, spelling, and language in both oral and written communication, as well as basic math skills
• Basic computer knowledge and skills, including Google Workspace, MS Windows and Word
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
• Specialist Classification on Public School Employees of Cheney Salary Schedule
• School year position: 180 days; 7 hours per day, Monday-Friday
CLEARANCES WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance EVALUATION The employee shall be evaluated per the terms of the Public School Employees (PSE) Collective Bargaining Agreement by the building principal, department director, or designee. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee's performance of the above Duties and Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING
• Must complete school safety training within thirty (30) calendar days from hire date and annually thereafter
• Must acquire and maintain CPR/First Aid card within sixty (60) calendar days from hire date and as scheduled thereafter
• Attend designated trainings as specified by supervisor and/or department director in order to maintain knowledge/skills
HISTORY Job description and format updated: February 2026 CLASSIFICATION: Specialist LOCATION: WMS
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: Position is supervised and evaluated by the building principal(s). COMPENSATION: Placement on the PSEC Salary Schedule
REPRESENTATION: Public School Employees of Cheney (PSEC) a local chapter of Public School Employees Union (PSE) SEIU Local 1948
Cheney Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions: Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ADA Coordinator - Brett Hale, Assistant Superintendent, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd. Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4550; Section 504 Coordinator - Franklin Day, Director of Student Support Services, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4507. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER