Program Support Specialist

Are you passionate about working for an organization that serves to empower and uplift students through the education system by removing barriers and helping students realize their fullest potential? Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. We achieve our mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who demonstrate a passion for what they do.

If this is you, are you All In For Kids?

Communities In Schools is hiring a Program Support Specialist who will support our campuses in nine different school districts in the surrounding suburbs of Austin, TX. The Program Support Specialist is responsible for the continuity of CIS program leadership and services during vacancies or working alongside CIS staff to provide additional support. This position may support more than one campus at a time and frequent travel between assigned campuses in multiple Central Texas school districts will be a requirement due to the nature of this work. The Campus Program Support Specialist must be adaptable and have the ability to readily shift focus areas and priorities when directed.

Who we are:

Rooted in community for over 40 years, Communities In Schools of Central Texas is a sophisticated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Austin, Texas. Communities In Schools (CIS) is a national organization that ensures every student has what they need to realize their full potential in school and beyond.

Who you are:

First and foremost, we are looking for amazing people who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission, and are highly motivated to change children's lives through education. You will be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, and the people around you to the next level.

What we offer:

The starting salary for this position is $3,750/mo.

Some of our benefits & perks:

• Generous paid time off: 4+ weeks of holidays, 3 weeks of summer break, 2 weeks of vacation time, personal days and sick days
• Financial stipends for qualified staff::
  • Spanish proficiency
  • Active Texas Mental Health License (LMSW, LCSW, LMFT-A, LPC, or LPC-A)
  • Supervisory roles
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% employer-paid employee medical plan available, plus family subsidies, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Professional growth: Ongoing development opportunities
• Community-centered culture focused on impact, growth, and connection

What you’ll bring:

• Experience working with youth and vulnerable populations
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive and productive relationships to effectively collaborate with CIS staff, school personnel and community partners
• Demonstrated cultural competence when engaging diverse audiences including students and families, team members, school personnel, volunteers, and community partners
• Highly self-motivated and able to work both autonomously and collaboratively
• Demonstrated ability to identify and manage priorities in a dynamic environment
• Reliable transportation is required
• Strong interpersonal skills with a focus on strength-based leadership
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• English/Spanish speaking ability
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, human services, or related field

What you’ll do:

• Provide outreach and short-term support to students and families to honor continuity of services, layering in additional extensive support if necessary for identified students
• Support CIS students and families through staff transition, ensuring that they stay connected to CIS as needed
• Receive and maintain record of new referrals
• Obtain guardian consent forms though phone calls, emails, outdoor home visits when appropriate
• Assess student needs and complete necessary agency documentation
• Provide case management check-ins to assess progress and effectiveness of services
• Collaborate with school/district staff and other community support services on how to best support higher needs students
• Coordinate referrals to outside providers when appropriate
• Manage and support existing campus partnerships
• Provide crisis intervention support to students enrolled in CIS as needed
• Attend critical campus meetings, which may include School Support Team meetings, campus staff meetings, or others
• Communicate regularly with school administration, submitting all required reports
• Provide regular updates to Program Director with oversight for the designated campus(es)
• Document all services in accordance with CIS and professional standards
• Participate in the CIS team approach to service delivery and problem solving
• Promote and maintain agency culture, standards, and systems
• Perform other activities and duties as directed by the Program Director or Program Officer

Reporting structure: The Program Support Specialist is supervised by the Regional Director of Programs unless otherwise designated by the Regional Director of Programs or Chief Executive Officer.

Location: Frequent travel between assigned campuses in multiple Central Texas school districts will be a requirement for this position.

Applications for this position will remain open until filled.

Communities In Schools of Central Texas is an equal-opportunity employer.