Young lives need to be nurtured and challenged as they lay a foundation for a lifetime of learning. Do you feel called to help our youngest citizens grow in their Christian faith while they acquire a well-rounded, excellent education? Apply to join the Portland Christian team and make a difference for your students, for our world, and for the Kingdom! Portland Christian Schools is currently seeking just the right person to fill our opening for a Student Support Specialist for our Elementary program.
Position: Student Support Specialist (Elementary School)
Primary Responsibilities:
- Communicate the goals of the comprehensive student support program to Christian school staff, parents, and students in appropriate venues such as meetings, newsletters, memos, and web pages.
- Conduct parent and teacher trainings as needed.
- Consult with and serve as a resource for teachers, staff, and parents regarding the needs of students in the areas of development, health, and wellness.
- Implement developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented group activities to meet student needs and school goals.
- Work closely with the Principal to develop and maintain a family mentoring program that provides for connections for new families to our Portland Christian School events.
- Assist the Principal as needed in writing student academic & behavioral plans and manage the plans and processes between students, parents, and teachers.
- Develop with the Principal a comprehensive support program that will serve both high functioning and struggling students.
- Direct and train teachers in facilitating student accommodations.
- Establish a behavioral program for students.
- Act as a liaison between teachers, parents, and administrators.
- Monitor student academic performance, behavior, and attendance and assist with appropriate interventions. Facilitate all CARE team meetings.
- Respond to crises, such as altercations, illness/death, and suspected child abuse and mandatory reporting of abuse.
- Be available to meet with parents as requested or as the need is identified.
- Refer parents and students to ministry programs, community agencies, or specialists as appropriate.
- Maintain records to document interactions, interventions, and decisions.
- Meet regularly with the Principal in order to provide feedback, discuss programs, confer about and pray for individual students, and receive direction.
- Adhere to policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
- As needed, supervise and coordinate the standardized group testing of ability. When requested, interpret standardized test results for faculty, students, and parents.
- Work closely with the Principal to develop and maintain a teacher mentor program.
- Be available to students in a variety of settings such as the office, classroom, and playground. Spend time in the regular classrooms in order to observe students as requested and build rapport with the teachers.
All PCS employees are expected to fully engage in the stated mission of the school, "In partnership with the home and church, Portland Christian Schools equips the next generation to grow in faith, excel in learning, and impact the world for Christ."
Must be willing to sign the PCS Statement of Faith and Lifestyle Statement. A background check will be run after a preliminary offer of employment is made.
Areas of Additional Training / Knowledge Preferred:
- ADHD
- Learning differences
- Restorative practice
Work Week and Hours:
This is a half time position of 20 hours per week during the school year.
Work hours are school days with possible occasional evening and/or weekend responsibilities, or as determined by the Principal.
Contract Term:
2026-27 Academic year
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Master's degree in an education, psychology, counseling, or sociology field of study preferred
- Professional license preferred
- State School Counselor Certificate or ACSI Guidance Counselor Credential preferred
- Minimum of two years counseling, teaching, or ministry work with children preferred
Pay:
Commensurate with education, experience, and credentials.
Range from $18.55/hr - $25,176/annually.
Benefits:
Partial tuition discount, early childhood - grade 12