Summary

Work with us to get out of the classroom and into the world at this teacher-led school located in Buffalo MN on over 17 acres of land. As a small, project-based school we serve a total of 115 students in grades 6 – 12. Terra Nova has a focus on the environmental sciences in addition to core subject areas. We offer the opportunity to share in the development of a truly unique and individualized educational model.

Description

Reports to:  Personnel Committee, Operations Committee,  Board of Directors

Supervised by:  Indirect supervision Personnel Committee

Classification: 1.0 FTE

Terms of Employment: To be established by the Personnel Team and Board of Directors annually.

Evaluation: Performance in this position will be evaluated annually by the personnel team in accordance with board policy.

Compensation: Reviewed and established annually by the Personnel Team and Board of Directors. Salary or Hourly wage based on experience and increases will be based on years, certifications and other qualifications. Competitive benefits package included through EdVisions Cooperative. 

Job Summary: 

Under general supervision, provide assistance in the implementation of student success and retention and student equity programs in the assigned area/program, including the delivery of core student success and support services and student follow-up services; perform support duties requiring expertise in data gathering and reporting, office management, fiscal management, customer relations, or other specialized services; coordinate with faculty, staff, and administrators in programs related to student success and support. The Student Success Specialist coordinates the daily support activities and operations in a student services area in order to support student success; provides student follow-up services; organizes and compiles reports related to student success, documents accordingly.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
(Other duties may be assigned)

  • Interprets and implements district policies and procedures related to student success and equity and student services programs, including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and maintains confidentiality

  • Performs support services for student success and support programs

  • May support multiple areas/departments including but not limited to Counseling, Special Education and Child Find

  • Collaborate to develop and deliver behavioral interventions to individuals and small/large groups

  • Be knowledgeable in social behavior management interventions and techniques

  • Coordinates, implement and monitor positive behavior interventions/behavior intervention plans for identified students 

  • Monitor student’s progress through recording, tracking and analyzing student data 

  • Prepares reports and other documents; maintains statistical records and confidential files 

  • Participate in meetings as requested (IEP, conferences, parent/guardian meetings, in-services, etc.) for the purpose of developing plans and/or providing information regarding student’s goals/outcomes

  • Demonstrate and model appropriate developmental and behavioral skills for students

  • Assists in educational settings to meet individual and group needs as prioritized by special education and 504 team members

  • Monitors retention programs and referral services and coordinates follow up services for students.  

  • Supports students and families with coordination and access to resources around food/housing/financial insecurities and attendance (including but not limited to McKinney Vento and truancy coordination)

  • Coordinates Mental Health support with school based therapists and serves ROI point of contact for outside providers

  • Works with students, staff, faculty, and the public to implement goals and objectives of assigned areas/programs; resolves issues and recommends solutions related to student success. 

  • May present information and participate in community outreach activities. 

  • Provide a flexible and quick-thinking response when dealing with students that are dysregulated/stressed

  • Be able to maintain a safe environment through interpersonal and physical interaction techniques. 

  • Implement restorative practices and support investigations related to policy violations

Terra Nova Duties and Responsibilities

  • Design activities for all students which promotes student’s behavioral goals

  • Follow direction of EdVisions Cooperative and the Board of Directors

  • Chaperone events and field trips, and supervise outside PE and outdoor/indoor recreation, as needed

  • Attend graduation & prom unless pre-approved absence by personnel 

  • Refer to letter of employment for work schedule

  • Complete and follow yearly Professional Development Plan

  • Participate in Staff Evaluation Process and Self Evaluation Process

  • Follow established procedures for school purchases

  • Coordinate Summer Hours (time between Staff Retreat and Staff Work Days in August) with rest of staff

  • Attend staff meetings and scheduled staff training and retreats, request personal days with personnel team

Supervisory Responsibilities:

May assist with supervising office substitutes, educational support staff, and volunteers in school settings

Qualification and requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications/Abilities:

  • Four-year degree (or near completion), with relevant coursework and experience in Education, Counseling, Restorative Justice, Social Work or Youth Development

  • Ability to work in a non-judgmental, culturally sensitive, and empowering manner with students from diverse backgrounds

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

  • Ability to work with minimal supervision and handle stressful situations

  • Ability to find resources on the Internet and in the community

  • Strength in flexibility, adaptability, and problem solving skills

  • Must have a cheerful disposition and ability to collaborate.

  • Ability to problem solve without getting flustered.

  • Organized, effective long-term systems management & development

  • Management ability to supervise transportation and staff driving vans, as well as school lunch staff.

  • Ability to follow advisors’ direction and written plan

  • Ability to maintain high levels of student confidentiality

  • Ability to self motivate and self direct

  • Ability to work with and meet individual needs of the student as directed by advisors or other staff

  • Excellent computer skills

Preferred: 

  • Preferred knowledge of MDE terms and systems

  • Preferred knowledge of JMC, school information system (SIS) software

  • Preferred knowledge of Headrush/PBL management software

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Psychology, Behavior Analysis, Counseling or related field

  • Experience with restorative practices

  • Knowledge around school policy and Title IX

Communication Skills:

  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. 

  • Ability to write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals consistent with the duties of this position.

  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators, staff, & the general public.

Mathematical skills:

  • Ability to apply concepts such as basic arithmetic calculations, fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations that are directly related to the duties of this position.

  • Ability to gather and graph data related to school data and reports. 

Reasoning Ability:

  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

  • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule formats.

Other Skills and Abilities: 

  • Demonstrates patience, respect, and understanding for students, staff and families. 

  • Demonstrates a sense of professional responsibility.

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.

  • Ability to perform duties in full compliance with EdVisions Cooperative, ISD 4229 requirements and school board policy.

  • Demonstrates persistence in overcoming and removing obstacles to goal achievement.

  • Implements and monitors relevant work procedures in line with defined standards.

  • Proactively approaches others with a view to engaging in dialogue and building strong working relationships.

  • Requests input from others to work towards a more effective outcome.

  • Holds employees/colleagues accountable for achieving results and publicly acknowledges effective performance.

  • Demonstrates good judgment; approachable and professional; solid problem solving skills; self motivated; well organized.

  • Ability to work with students with challenging emotional/behavioral needs, and social concerns.

  • Ability to form strong and positive relationships with students and staff.  

  • Knowledge of behavior management and CPI/de-escalation techniques.

  • Ability to observe, chart, and specifically describe student behaviors.

  • Ability to work collaboratively as a team member and serve as a school resource.

  • Excellent listening, written, and oral communication skills necessary.  

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand and talk or hear, as well as walk and sit.  While performing the duties of this job the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 pounds such as boxes of books, desks, chairs, etc. The employee may be required to complete crisis intervention training for the physical restraint of students. The employee is directly responsible for safety, well-being, or work output of other people. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff.

Work environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending on the activities of the day.  Duties are performed indoors and outdoors. Duties may also include working with students in public settings.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A. D. A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may also be assigned.