RESPECT Specialist

The Student Support Specialist provides leadership and support to schools in implementing trauma-informed practices and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to improve student well-being and academic outcomes. This position collaborates with school staff, families, and community partners to promote evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies that address trauma, social-emotional learning, and behavioral health needs. The role also supports professional learning, data-informed decision-making, and the development of systems that strengthen student support services across school communities while ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.

Please note: This role requires a consistent, in-person presence at the designated workplace in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with no remote, telecommuting, or hybrid options.

Funding Source: This position is funded through the RESPECT West Grant, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The funding for this position will end on December 31, 2029.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Elementary Education, Early Childhood, School Psychology, or closely related field [official transcripts required upon hire];

• An equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of the above-defined professional experience for each year of the required education; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Three (3) years of experience in school-based mental health services, trauma-informed care and multi-tiered system of supports.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship now or in the future;

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check;

• Must possess a valid driver’s license from a U.S. state or territory to perform necessary job-related travel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Training and Professional Development: Provide training and technical assistance on trauma-informed practices, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and other student support initiatives approved by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE).

• Best Practices and Research: Remain knowledgeable of current trends, best practices, and research in counseling, school-based mental health services, and psychology to ensure the implementation of evidence-based practices.

• Communication and Team Support: Support the development of training and communication plans to disseminate information to the school community and assist teams in establishing effective meeting roles, responsibilities, and norms.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Establish or identify a multidisciplinary team reflective of the diverse members of the school community and engage stakeholders in planning, decision-making, and collaboration between schools and community partners.

• Continuous Improvement: Lead and coordinate continuous improvement efforts related to professional learning, staff wellness, and family and community awareness of trauma, adversity, and available support services through a multi-tiered framework.

• Trauma-Informed Practices: Support schools in developing and implementing practices that prevent, teach, reinforce, and respond to student needs using a trauma-informed approach.

• Data Analysis and Action Planning: Monitor and analyze school and community data to identify strengths and needs and support the development of action plans to improve student support services.

• Data Teams and Interventions: Assist data teams and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in reviewing school-wide social-emotional and behavioral data to guide evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies across all three tiers of support. Monitor intervention fidelity in collaboration with school psychologists, counselors, administrators, and other personnel.

• Program Evaluation and Innovation: Stay informed of emerging trends, curricula, and evaluation tools that support effective prevention and intervention practices for trauma-informed school-based services.

• Policy and Procedure Support: Assist schools in updating school-wide handbooks and procedures to reflect practices aligned with multi-tiered supports and trauma-informed approaches.

• Data Collection and Reporting: Collect, maintain, and report data related to student support services and initiatives to inform program effectiveness and support organizational reporting requirements.

• Community Collaboration: Partner with professional associations and organizations, including the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, community mental health providers, and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to support initiatives that promote trauma-informed services within schools.

• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain familiarity with and ensure compliance with relevant state and federal regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Civil Rights Act of 1964, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

• Professional Demeanor: Exhibit a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude. Build relationships, display integrity, and maintain professionalism in communication, behavior, and appearance. Embrace feedback for performance improvement.

• Attendance: Ensure reliable and punctual in-person presence for quality teamwork, productivity, and collaboration. Demonstrate commitment by being engaged, available, and dependable to colleagues and customers.

• Innovation: Identify and address evolving needs and challenges in education. Apply critical thinking, explore new ideas, and embrace innovative approaches to enhance educational outcomes for all students. Utilize creativity, resourcefulness, and forward-thinking to drive positive change and find solutions to complex problems in the field of education.

• Efficiency: Maximize resource utilization and streamline operations. Optimize processes, eliminate redundancies, and leverage technology to enhance productivity and performance. Proactively identify efficiency opportunities and implement best practices for continuous improvement.

• Superior Customer Service: Go above and beyond to deliver exceptional assistance that surpasses expectations. Create positive experiences and build trust-based relationships. Maintain a positive and helpful attitude, using appropriate language, tone, and behavior to consistently reflect the agency positively and leave a favorable impression.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES

• Effective Communication: Communicates clearly, respectfully, and empathetically in verbal and written forms. Tailors messages to diverse audiences, actively listens, and fosters mutual understanding to support collaboration and workplace relationships.

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Analyzes information objectively and thoughtfully to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement practical solutions. Applies logic and creativity to address challenges and contribute to continuous improvement.

• Organizational Awareness: Demonstrates understanding of how individual work supports broader organizational goals. Aligns daily tasks and priorities with the mission and values of the organization to contribute to its overall success.

• Planning & Time Management: Effectively organizes tasks, sets priorities, and manages time to meet deadlines and support team objectives. Adjusts to shifting demands while maintaining productivity and quality of work.

• Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits self-awareness and empathy in interactions with others. Maintains composure under pressure and responds constructively to feedback, conflict, or change to support a respectful, inclusive environment.

• Adaptability: Responds flexibly to new information, changes in direction, or evolving circumstances. Embraces opportunities to learn new skills and demonstrates resilience when facing uncertainty.

• Accountability: Takes responsibility for individual actions, decisions, and deliverables. Follows through on commitments and addresses issues transparently to maintain trust and integrity.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Works effectively with others by building trust, sharing information, and supporting shared goals. Contributes to a positive team culture by being respectful, reliable, and open to diverse perspectives.

• Initiative & Continuous Learning: Demonstrates a proactive approach to tasks and seeks out opportunities to grow professionally. Applies feedback and engages in learning activities to strengthen knowledge, skills, and performance.

• Results Orientation: Maintains focus on goals and delivers high-quality work. Tracks progress, evaluates results, and adapts approaches to ensure successful outcomes in alignment with expectations.

• Technology Fluency: Effectively uses current tools and systems relevant to the role. Learns new technologies quickly and identifies ways to use them to improve efficiency and service delivery.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Location:  Assigned field locations

• Work Environment includes:

  • Field Work: Frequent travel to various locations around Oklahoma, involving outdoor exposure to varied weather conditions, rough or uneven terrain, and potential interaction with diverse environments, facilities, and community sites.

• Physical Demands include:

  • Ability to stand, reach, and bend 50% of the time;

  • Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine/printer, and office telephone 75% of the time;

  • Ascends/descends stairs 25% of the time;

  • Ability to lift to 25 lbs.

• Cognitive Requirements:

  • This role requires clear and accurate communication, strong analytical skills, and the ability to evaluate information and make timely decisions.

  • Sustained focus and attention to detail are essential, along with memory retention of policies, procedures, and facts over various time frames.

  • Adaptability and mental flexibility are also necessary to handle changing information, work conditions, and unexpected challenges.

TRAVEL

50% in-state/out-of-state travel may be required.

EEO STATEMENT

The Oklahoma Department of Education provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, OSDE complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. 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.