Student Support Specialist

STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

A Day in the Life:

The Student Support Specialist collaborates with students to help them become well-rounded, informed citizens who can live independent and self-sufficient lives as well as navigate the community. The specialist may work simultaneously in multiple functional areas depending upon center requirements and individual development goals. As such, the Student Support Specialist will familiarize themselves with handbooks and other relevant job content for additional functions as they are given assignments there. The Student Support Specialist is an onsite full-time non-exempt position located in Melbourne, FL who reports to the Life Skills and Wellness Coordinator.

This position operates in a highly scheduled environment but may require longer hours and occasional weekend work and minimal travel as job duties demand. The Student Support Specialist position involves a moderate physical demand. 

The College Internship Program (CIP) is a full-year private young adult transition program for individuals 18-26 with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences offering comprehensive and specialized services. CIP's programs uniquely address the needs of adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism, ADHD, and other learning differences by providing a comprehensive curriculum, expert staffing, and a structured weekly schedule. We believe that a learning disability is a learning difference, and our expert staff understand and meet our young adults enrolled in the program where they are at. Our programs focus on the generalization of specialized skills specifically for autism and learning differences. CIP students live with a close-knit community of peers within a supported apartment living setting and fully access the community around them. Each student's unique needs are met individually as they prepare for success in independent living, college, and employment. CIP is the result of strategies we have developed over 40 years working with hundreds of young people who learn differently and have exceptionalities, helping develop the self-knowledge and skills to live happy and productive lives.

All the Responsibilities We'll Trust You With:

• Assist students in transition and adjustment to independent living through the delivery of Life Skills curriculum.

• Collaborate closely with program staff to deliver services in other key functional areas as dictated by student needs (e.g., academic, career, social, etc.).

• Assist with Person Centered Planning and Semi-Annual Progress reports.

• Respond to problems, policy violations, and other issues that might arise and escalate as appropriate.

• Assist students in building independent living skills and other functional competencies and routines to help them achieve their goals.

• Engage students in productively exploring and connecting within the CIP and external community.

• Track coordination of student goals through their achievement in CIP programming.

• Administrative duties associated with the position include, but are not limited to:

  • Communication with fellow staff

  • Regular monitoring of student progress

  • Writing or updating student reports

  • Recording student attendance

  • Completing weekly student assessment form

  • Supporting students with schedule planning and goal-setting

• *Other Duties as Assigned

Qualities You Possess:

• The Student Support Specialist will possess exceptional communication skills, precise attention to detail, superior organization and prioritization skills, and self-motivation in managing tasks to completion. They will have genuine empathy and awareness of the needs and sensitivities of prospective families, students, and staff.

Your Areas of Knowledge and Expertise:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution in a related field is required.

• At least two years of related experience and/or training is required.

• A strong special education background, particularly at the higher education level is required.

• Experience in the field of autism and/or learning differences is highly preferred.

• Proficient with computer software for office tasks and in learning new company computer software programs is required.

• An active Driver's License is required.

Why Join CIP?

• Vacation Time - 15 days full time only

• Paid Holidays - 13 days full time only;Holiday premium pay for part time only

• Paid Sick Days and Personal Days accrued

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Voluntary Benefits: Short and Long-term Disability, Additional Life, Child Life and Spousal Life 

• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• 401(K) - We offer a Traditional 401(K) and a Roth 401(K) employer match up to 4%

  • Financial Wellness Advisor Services  

• Tuition and continued education reimbursement up to $3,000 annually for full time and up to $1,000 for part time

• Wellness reimbursement of $200 per year for full time and $100 per year for part time

• Employee Assistance Program: child care and parenting, senior care and aging, emotional health, health and wellness, legal and financial, access to discounts 

• A health advocate to assist with our insurance & healthcare challenges

• Ongoing monthly training and professional development opportunities

• Supportive and Collaborative Culture

*Please note that the benefits listed may change based on business needs, regulatory requirements or other factors

This role may also be of interest to candidates searching for positions or skills related to case management, student success, behavioral health, mental health counseling, disability services, special education, autism support, vocational counseling, higher education, social work, peer mentor, human services, therapy, school counseling, internship support, college readiness, residential life, crisis response, student engagement, transition services, behavior technician, substitute teacher, college advising, working with people with autism, wraparound services, camp counselor, marriage and family therapy, executive functioning, peer coach, emotional regulation, resource specialist, neurodiversity support, crisis intervention, working with people with developmental disabilities, student involvement, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma informed care, campus life, paraprofessionals, clinical therapist, psychologist, coping skills, alternative education, youth services, private practice, individual/group counseling, inclusion workforce development, student affairs, student assistant, school experience, instructional assistant, IEP, social-emotional learning, autism advocacy, working with high schoolers, holistic wellness, career services, student life, academic planning, peer support, crisis prevention intervention, student services, working with people with disabilities, first year experience, college success, postsecondary support, inclusive teaching, mental health advocacy, college transition, academic advising, adaptive learning, paraeducators, psychology, individualized support, mindfulness, learning disabilities, accessibility services, disability studies, cognitive science, sociology, social and behavioral sciences, and education. 

Accommodations Disabilities Act Statement

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job position.

Affirmative Action Plan (AAP)/Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

College Internship Program (CIP) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications associated with this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required. Team members may be assigned additional responsibilities as necessary.