Careers

Student Support Specialist – Middle School

NativityMiguel School of Scranton – Scranton, PA 18509

NativityMiguel School of Scranton (NMS) is a tuition-free, Catholic middle school (grades 5–8) proudly serving students and families of greater economic need. Valuing both academic success and character development, we strive to empower our students to reach their full potential.

We are currently seeking a full-time Student Support Specialist. This is a full-time position with benefits and a retirement plan.

Position Summary

The Student Support Specialist supports the social-emotional well-being, personal growth, and overall success of middle school students and graduates. Working collaboratively with the principal, administrators, teachers, and families, the Student Support Specialist provides students & graduates with a trusted adult connection, helps them navigate everyday social and emotional challenges, and promotes a positive, inclusive, and supportive school environment.

This position is not a licensed counseling position and does not provide clinical assessment, diagnosis, therapy, or other services requiring professional licensure. Students requiring counseling, mental health treatment, crisis intervention, or other specialized services will be referred to the appropriate school or outside professional.

Essential Responsibilities

Student/Graduate Support

• Build positive, supportive relationships with middle school students & graduates.
• Meet individually or in small groups with students who need assistance navigating peer relationships, conflict, organization, self-advocacy, emotional regulation, or other age-appropriate challenges.
• Provide students with a safe and supportive space to talk through everyday concerns.
• Help students develop problem-solving, communication, coping, and self-management skills.
• Assist students & graduates with transitions, including adjustment to middle school, high school and college as well as any changes in grade level or peer groups.
• Check in regularly with students identified as benefiting from additional adult connection and encouragement.
• Maintain relationships with the local private high schools to ensure smooth transition for NMS graduates.

Social-Emotional Learning & Student Wellness

• Support the school’s social-emotional learning and wellness initiatives.
• Reinforce strategies related to self-awareness, emotional regulation, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and conflict resolution.
• Develop or facilitate small-group activities, advisory lessons, workshops, or student programs focused on social-emotional growth.
• Work with the Principal to create proactive programming addressing common middle school concerns such as friendships, belonging, stress, communication, and healthy decision-making.
• Promote a school culture in which students and alumni feel known, supported, included, and connected.

Collaboration & Referral

• Collaborate closely with the principal, administrators, teachers, learning support staff, and other members of the student support team.
• Communicate observations and concerns regarding students to appropriate school personnel.
• Participate in student support meetings as appropriate.
• Help identify students who may require additional academic, behavioral, social-emotional, or mental health support.
• Refer concerns beyond the scope of the position to a counselor, psychologist, administrator, nurse, or other appropriate professional.
• Follow all school procedures regarding student safety, mandated reporting, confidentiality, and documentation.

Family & Faculty Partnership

• Serve as an additional point of support for faculty working with students experiencing social-emotional or interpersonal challenges.
• Partner with teachers to identify practical strategies that support students in the classroom and broader school environment.
• Communicate with families as appropriate and in accordance with school policies.
• Help connect families with appropriate school-based resources when additional support is needed.

School Community

• Maintain a visible and approachable presence throughout the school.
• Participate in student activities, advisory programs, assemblies, and community-building initiatives.
• Serve as the coordinator of the NMS After School Program including organizing volunteers and creating meaningful experiences for students.
• Assist with student supervision and other school responsibilities as needed.
• Support restorative conversations and age-appropriate conflict resolution when appropriate.
• Contribute to efforts that strengthen student belonging, connection, and positive school culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in education, psychology, social work, human development, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with middle school-aged students strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting and appropriate relationships with adolescents and community partners.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with educators, families, administrators, and student support professionals.
• Understanding of adolescent development and the social-emotional needs of middle school students.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Sound judgment regarding when student concerns should be referred to licensed or appropriately credentialed professionals.

Ideal Candidate

The successful Student Support Specialist is warm, approachable, perceptive, and skilled at connecting with young adolescents. This individual understands that middle school students often need a trusted adult who will listen, help them work through everyday challenges, and guide them toward healthy choices while recognizing when a concern requires intervention from a counselor or other professional.

The Student Support Specialist should be comfortable balancing proactive relationship-building with responsive student support and should enjoy being an active, visible member of the middle school community.

How to Apply

Reports To: Principal

Submit resume, cover letter, and names and contact information for 3 references to Mhosier@nmscranton.org.