Gila River Indian Community
Sacaton, Arizona, United States
STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Posted 4 days ago
Job Description
ENIPLOYIVIENT OPPORTUNITIESJob Title: Student Support Specialist
Closing Date: 08/12/2025
DEADLINE: Attach any required documents, i.e., Transcripts, Certificates, diploma and Motor Vehicle
Record, to your online application by midnight on the closing date. Late Applications or documents will not
be considered.
Job Number: 25-363-2
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Department: Tribal Education Department/Child Development & Education Support Services
City: Sacaton, AZ
Location: 141 S. Bluebird Road
Area of Interest: Education
Salary/ Hourly Rate: $45,969.60 - $70,969.60 Salary
Tribal Driving Permit Required: YesDISTINGUSIHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:The Student Support Specialist is responsible for performing a variety of student advocacy activities in accordance
with state and tribal laws, and federal regulations for Pre-K thru 12h grade. Serve as a source of special education
support and advocacy to parents/ guardians of enrolled students. Conduct trainings and workshops for
parents/ guardians, community programs, and school staff Provide appropriate mental health education to students
in community schools. Provide crisis intervention and referrals for grief counseling. Monitor IndividualizedEducation Plans for students.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Facilitate referrals to appropriate community agencies to meet the needs of students and their families.Serve on school and district social work committees as directed.Coordinate and conduct classroom social/emotional education to students in community-wide schools
regularly and provide classroom intervention strategies and techniques as requested by classroom staff.
Attend Multi-disciplinary Education Team (MET) meetings for GRIC students in K-12h grade within and
outside of community boundaries as requested.Assist students and their guardians in navigating the special education process to include answering questions,
interpreting IEP goals, data, evaluations, parental rights, home intervention strategies, and providing follow-
up as requested.Attend scheduled Child Find, school, and community events to provide information about special education
resources and program services.Prepare and present monthly activity reports.Attend monthly staff meetings.Monitor and track GRIC students on Individualized Education Plans (IEP) to ensure continuity of special
education services.Assist schools in attaining grief counseling and crisis intervention (i.e. Safe Talk, Trauma Awareness, etc.) as
requested.Perform other related duties as assigned.REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILL AND ABILITY:Considerable knowledge of and sensitivity to the economic, educational and social needs of Native American
children and families, resources available to meet those needs, and of the Gila River Indian Community and
its culture.Must be knowledgeable of Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and Section
504 regarding individuals with disabilities.Must have the ability to maintain strict con?dentiality, making sound decisions, and demonstrate good
judgment.Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.Knowledge and understanding of behavior modi?cation practices, adaptive techniques, personality
development, Safe Talk, ASIST, Trauma, and con?ict management practices.Knowledge of current educational methods, prevention and educational theories, practices, and crisis
intervention management.Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare reports.Ability to work effectively with people of varied economic, educational, cultural backgrounds and other
community agencies; including children and adolescents with disabilities and/or severe social de?cits.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, Community Of?cials, and the
general public.Ability to perform all physical requirements of the position.Agree to maintain a Drug-free workplace.REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Social Work, Special Education,
Psychology, or closely related ?eld and three (3) years responsible experience in counseling, education, mental
health, or closely related experience; or any combination of education, training and/or experience which
demonstrates the ability to perform the functions of the position.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:
Copy of current Fingerprint Clearance Card must be provided when applying for this position and must be
maintained throughout employment.Required to pass a background check and ?ngerprint clearance as a condition of employment and must
continue to maintain throughout duration of employment.Background checks are required for positions that involve regular contact with or control over Community
Children in accordance with The Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, 25 U.S.C.
Sections 3201 through 3210 and C.F.R. Part 63 and positions that have regular contact with the Elderly.
Required mandatory reporter pursuant to Title 7, Chapter 2 (7.205), B.Required to attend Title 7 Mandatory Reporting training on a yearly basis.Required to obtain a Tribal Operators permit. Valid state drivers license with a current proof of driving
record for the past 39 months will be required to qualify for a tribal driving permit. Proof of driving record
must be submitted with application and must not be more than 60 days old from the date of submission
of the application.Non-Supervisory, Salaried Position
Reports to Director or designeeBENEFITS:
The Gila River Indian Community offers a comprehensive bene?ts package, which includes; vacation, holiday,
and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, sh01t and long term disability bene?ts.Preference in ?lling vacancies is given to quali?ed Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference
Act (Title 25, US. Code, Section 472 and 473). The Gila River Indian Community is also committed to achieving
the full and equal opportunity without discrimination because of Race, Religion, Color, Sex, National Origin,
Politics, Marital Status, Physical Handicap, Age or Sexual Orientation. In other than the above, the Gila River
Indian Community is an Equal Opportunity Employer.If vou are claiming Preference in one or more of the following categories please attach a copy of the
required documentation to the completed Employment Application.Preference for Community Members (with proof of enrollment)Preference for Native Americans (must meet membership requirement of a federally recognized Tribe.)
Preference point for Spouse of Community Member (with proof of spouse enrollment)Preference point for Veteran (must meet statutory requirements)
HUMAN RESOURCES WILL NOT MAKE COPIES OF APPLICATIONS OR DOCUMENTS BEING
SUBMITTED.
Visit our GRIC website and apply online:
www.gilariver.org
Closing Date: 08/12/2025
DEADLINE: Attach any required documents, i.e., Transcripts, Certificates, diploma and Motor Vehicle
Record, to your online application by midnight on the closing date. Late Applications or documents will not
be considered.
Job Number: 25-363-2
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Department: Tribal Education Department/Child Development & Education Support Services
City: Sacaton, AZ
Location: 141 S. Bluebird Road
Area of Interest: Education
Salary/ Hourly Rate: $45,969.60 - $70,969.60 Salary
Tribal Driving Permit Required: YesDISTINGUSIHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:The Student Support Specialist is responsible for performing a variety of student advocacy activities in accordance
with state and tribal laws, and federal regulations for Pre-K thru 12h grade. Serve as a source of special education
support and advocacy to parents/ guardians of enrolled students. Conduct trainings and workshops for
parents/ guardians, community programs, and school staff Provide appropriate mental health education to students
in community schools. Provide crisis intervention and referrals for grief counseling. Monitor IndividualizedEducation Plans for students.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Facilitate referrals to appropriate community agencies to meet the needs of students and their families.Serve on school and district social work committees as directed.Coordinate and conduct classroom social/emotional education to students in community-wide schools
regularly and provide classroom intervention strategies and techniques as requested by classroom staff.
Attend Multi-disciplinary Education Team (MET) meetings for GRIC students in K-12h grade within and
outside of community boundaries as requested.Assist students and their guardians in navigating the special education process to include answering questions,
interpreting IEP goals, data, evaluations, parental rights, home intervention strategies, and providing follow-
up as requested.Attend scheduled Child Find, school, and community events to provide information about special education
resources and program services.Prepare and present monthly activity reports.Attend monthly staff meetings.Monitor and track GRIC students on Individualized Education Plans (IEP) to ensure continuity of special
education services.Assist schools in attaining grief counseling and crisis intervention (i.e. Safe Talk, Trauma Awareness, etc.) as
requested.Perform other related duties as assigned.REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILL AND ABILITY:Considerable knowledge of and sensitivity to the economic, educational and social needs of Native American
children and families, resources available to meet those needs, and of the Gila River Indian Community and
its culture.Must be knowledgeable of Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and Section
504 regarding individuals with disabilities.Must have the ability to maintain strict con?dentiality, making sound decisions, and demonstrate good
judgment.Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.Knowledge and understanding of behavior modi?cation practices, adaptive techniques, personality
development, Safe Talk, ASIST, Trauma, and con?ict management practices.Knowledge of current educational methods, prevention and educational theories, practices, and crisis
intervention management.Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare reports.Ability to work effectively with people of varied economic, educational, cultural backgrounds and other
community agencies; including children and adolescents with disabilities and/or severe social de?cits.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, Community Of?cials, and the
general public.Ability to perform all physical requirements of the position.Agree to maintain a Drug-free workplace.REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Social Work, Special Education,
Psychology, or closely related ?eld and three (3) years responsible experience in counseling, education, mental
health, or closely related experience; or any combination of education, training and/or experience which
demonstrates the ability to perform the functions of the position.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:
Copy of current Fingerprint Clearance Card must be provided when applying for this position and must be
maintained throughout employment.Required to pass a background check and ?ngerprint clearance as a condition of employment and must
continue to maintain throughout duration of employment.Background checks are required for positions that involve regular contact with or control over Community
Children in accordance with The Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, 25 U.S.C.
Sections 3201 through 3210 and C.F.R. Part 63 and positions that have regular contact with the Elderly.
Required mandatory reporter pursuant to Title 7, Chapter 2 (7.205), B.Required to attend Title 7 Mandatory Reporting training on a yearly basis.Required to obtain a Tribal Operators permit. Valid state drivers license with a current proof of driving
record for the past 39 months will be required to qualify for a tribal driving permit. Proof of driving record
must be submitted with application and must not be more than 60 days old from the date of submission
of the application.Non-Supervisory, Salaried Position
Reports to Director or designeeBENEFITS:
The Gila River Indian Community offers a comprehensive bene?ts package, which includes; vacation, holiday,
and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, sh01t and long term disability bene?ts.Preference in ?lling vacancies is given to quali?ed Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference
Act (Title 25, US. Code, Section 472 and 473). The Gila River Indian Community is also committed to achieving
the full and equal opportunity without discrimination because of Race, Religion, Color, Sex, National Origin,
Politics, Marital Status, Physical Handicap, Age or Sexual Orientation. In other than the above, the Gila River
Indian Community is an Equal Opportunity Employer.If vou are claiming Preference in one or more of the following categories please attach a copy of the
required documentation to the completed Employment Application.Preference for Community Members (with proof of enrollment)Preference for Native Americans (must meet membership requirement of a federally recognized Tribe.)
Preference point for Spouse of Community Member (with proof of spouse enrollment)Preference point for Veteran (must meet statutory requirements)
HUMAN RESOURCES WILL NOT MAKE COPIES OF APPLICATIONS OR DOCUMENTS BEING
SUBMITTED.
Visit our GRIC website and apply online:
www.gilariver.org
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