Role Overview
Trillium Academy is seeking a flexible, student-centered Full-Time Student Support Specialist to support our community of neurodivergent and twice-exceptional students in grades 5–12.
The primary focus of this position is providing direct student support throughout the school day. This may include academic and executive functioning support, social-emotional and behavioral support, individual and small-group assistance, and classroom support based on student needs.
Flexibility is an important part of this role. When a teacher is absent, the Student Support Specialist may shift from their regular student support responsibilities to provide substitute classroom coverage for the day. The ideal candidate will be comfortable adapting to changing needs while providing consistent, thoughtful support to students across a variety of settings.
Responsibilities
- Support students with organization, planning, task initiation, time management, self-advocacy, and other executive functioning skills.
- Help students access classroom learning, navigate challenges, and engage successfully in the school day while encouraging increasing independence.
- Provide calm, responsive support to students experiencing frustration, dysregulation, anxiety, or other barriers to participation.
- Build positive, respectful relationships with students while maintaining clear and consistent expectations and boundaries.
- Implement student accommodations, support strategies, and plans in collaboration with teachers and other members of the student support team.
- Provide support within classrooms, during transitions, and in other school settings based on student and program needs.
- Communicate relevant student observations, needs, and concerns with appropriate faculty and staff.
- Provide substitute classroom coverage when teachers are absent or coverage is otherwise needed, following provided lesson plans and maintaining classroom routines and expectations.
- Collaborate with teachers, student support staff, and school leadership to respond flexibly to changing student and school needs.
- Support school activities, events, and community functions as needed.
Minimum Requirements
- Experience working with neurodivergent learners, including students with diverse learning, executive functioning, social-emotional, and/or behavioral needs.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships with students and collaborate effectively with adults.
- Ability to be flexible and adapt responsibilities based on changing student and school needs, including providing substitute classroom coverage as needed.
- Ability to remain calm, responsive, and solution-oriented when supporting students through challenging situations.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and creating a supportive educational environment for diverse learners.
- Ability to work well both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- Ability to pass a criminal background check.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with twice-exceptional (2e) students.
- Experience working with middle and/or high school-aged students.
- Experience in education, special education, behavioral support, mental health, youth development, tutoring, coaching, or a related setting.
- Experience supporting executive functioning and/or social-emotional skill development.
- Teaching or classroom experience.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Knowledge of the developmental needs of students in grades 5–12.
Position Details
This is a full-time position. The Student Support Specialist will have specific responsibilities shifting based on student and school needs. The hours will be 8:00am to 3:30pm. Student support will be the primary focus of the position; however, when substitute coverage is needed, the employee may be assigned to provide classroom coverage.
Compensation: $23.00–$25.00 per hour, depending on experience. Trillium Academy offers acompetitive compensation and benefits package including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% employer match
- Life insurance
- 7 sick days and 3 floating holidays
- Paid school breaks: Thanksgiving, Winter, Mid-Winter, and Spring
How to Apply
If you are interested in working with an amazing community and making a meaningful impact at a unique private school, please send your resume and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications to careers@trilliumacademy.org. Applications submitted through job-posting platforms and not received via email will not be reviewed.
About Trillium Academy
The mission of Trillium Academy is to break away from conventional schooling and celebrate the incredible capabilities of twice-exceptional (2e) students, providing them with a learning environment that discovers and develops their talents and passions to live successful and enriching lives.
Trillium Academy was founded by a dedicated group of parents with a vision to create a nurturing environment for 2e students in Seattle. Here, students are celebrated for their unique skills and interests and seen as capable individuals with much to contribute to the school community andthe world. We value authenticity, positive self-awareness, open and honest communication, and trust built on the belief that everyone has the students' best interest at the heart of what we do.
Our school is designed to meet the needs of our students, recognizing their exceptional talents alongside their learning differences. With teacher-student ratios lower than typical private andpublic schools and a focus on fostering positive relationships, we create an environment wherestudents can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. This is a place for students to learn how to be productive, independent, civic-minded adults.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Trillium Academy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive community. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, Washington State, or local law. We value the diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds that individuals bring to our school community and encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
This job description describes the general nature and scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities or duties. Responsibilities may evolve over time as Trillium Academy grows and organizational needs change.
