Student Support Specialist

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: DOE - Starts at $20 per hour

Job Title: Student Support Specialist

Reports To: Program Director

FSLA Status: Seasonal, 12-week, non-exempt

Salary: DOE - Starts at $20 per hour

Position Summary:
At Telluride Academy, we are committed to serving every child. We provide accessible adventures for all campers, fostering a socially inclusive outdoor experience. By welcoming campers of all ability levels, we enrich our community and create opportunities for learning, connection, and growth. Campers gain lifelong benefits as they celebrate both differences and shared experiences. The friendships, confidence, and independence developed in our programs are truly transformative.

Telluride Academy is seeking a qualified candidate for the seasonal position of Student Support Specialist for Summer 2026. This role requires prior experience working with populations of students and families with special needs, such as autism, ADHD, and behavioral challenges. The Student Support Specialist must be organized, patient, creative, compassionate, empathetic, and possess strong written and verbal communication skills. A proven ability to problem-solve is essential. This position plays a key role in ensuring that all students, families, and staff experience a positive, safe, and inclusive environment at Telluride Academy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Student Support Preparation

• Begin personal outreach to parents in April, reviewing the student support notes spreadsheet to identify enrolled students with inclusion needs, and compiling notes for the upcoming summer.
• Discuss each child's specific needs, including limitations, triggers, and behavioral tendencies.
• Communicate required safety criteria for participation in programs, such as the ability to stay with the group, engage in outdoor activities, and safely respond to challenges.

Staff Support

• Provide guidance and support to Inclusion buddies who work directly (one-on-one) with campers requiring additional assistance.
• Assist admin in assigning student support buddies to camp programs based on camper needs.
• Train buddies on each assigned campers specific requirements, offering strategies to manage behaviors and triggers effectively.
• Communicate with program staff before each session about inclusion needs within their groups, equipping them for success.
• Perform any additional duties as assigned or deemed necessary by administration to support the organization's goals and operations.

Training and Development

• Assist in developing and delivering a student support training workshop during Telluride Academys annual all-staff training.
• Facilitate sessions that educate staff on disability etiquette, behavior management, problem-solving techniques, and inclusive team-building games.

On-Site Inclusion Support

• Act as a buddy during summer programs, working directly with a variety of groups and activities to support campers with inclusion needs.
• Provide office hours and consultation as needed to ensure staff and families have the resources and information necessary for a successful summer experience.
• Address any unforeseen behavioral challenges within groups or with individual students as they arise.
• Ensure the safety of all campers and staff through proactive preparation and decision-making.

Qualifications:

• Educational Background: Bachelors degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, Recreational Therapy, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Additional certifications or training in behavioral management, inclusion strategies, or related fields preferred.
• Experience with Diverse Populations: Demonstrated experience working with children and adolescents with special needs, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, sensory processing disorders, behavioral challenges, and other developmental or emotional needs. Experience in outdoor education, camp settings, or recreational programs is highly desirable.
• Skills in Behavioral Support: Strong understanding of behavior management techniques and sensory regulation strategies. Proven ability to create and implement individualized support plans for children with diverse needs.
• Strong Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effectively engaging with parents, staff, and children. Ability to mediate and resolve conflicts calmly and constructively.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Ability to provide guidance and mentorship to Inclusion Buddies and other staff members. Experience leading training sessions or workshops related to inclusion and disability awareness is a plus.
• Organizational Skills: Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities, including camper needs, staff schedules, and program preparation. Strong attention to detail, especially when documenting camper needs and plans.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Willingness to adapt to a dynamic camp environment with changing needs and priorities. Comfortable working in various outdoor settings, including overnights and physically active programs.
• Curious Empathy and Compassion: Genuine passion for creating an inclusive environment that supports children of all abilities. Patience, understanding, and a positive attitude when working with diverse groups and challenging behaviors.
• Cultural Competence: Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an understanding of how to support individuals from various cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Quick and effective decision-making skills to address behavioral or safety concerns in real-time.
• Relevant certifications in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) or other behavioral support techniques are a plus.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and driving background check.
• Valid drivers license and ability to operate program vehicles safely (if applicable)
• Must possess or obtain CPR and Wilderness
  First Aid Certification prior to employment start date.
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) required, or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification is preferred.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate program vehicles safely (if applicable).
• Must successfully pass background checks in accordance with organizational and state requirements.

Working Conditions:

• Ability to work indoors or outdoors for prolonged periods of time in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and rain.
• Willingness to work in remote, wilderness, or high-altitude environments with limited facilities.
• Comfort with exposure to insects, wildlife, and natural elements as part of outdoor programming.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and extended shifts, based on program needs.
• Ability to travel to and from program locations, including remote trailheads or campgrounds.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs safely and repeatedly throughout the workday.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with children, staff, and parents in a positive and professional manner.
• Ability to lead group activities and provide instruction to diverse age groups.
• Ability to stand, walk, and be physically active for extended periods of time (up to 8-10 hours per day).
• Ability to kneel, bend, stoop, and perform physical tasks during programming.
• Ability to engage in activities requiring climbing, hiking, and movement across uneven or rugged terrain.
• Ability to swim and/or assist participants in water-based activities when applicable.

Schedule:

Spring (Late April/May)

• Part-time position requiring approximately 5-10 hours per week.

Summer (June-August):

• The Student Support Specialist will be required to be available during our typical weekly camp schedule, which is Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Roughly 40 hours per week with hours varying weekly based on program assignments and organizational needs.
• Telluride Academy staff meet on Fridays for all-staff meetings, program planning, and additional training/workshops.
• Serve as a buddy (one-to-one support) across a range of activities and age groups, including programs with overnight stays.
• Complete office hours as necessary to manage communication, program preparation, and camper support.
• The Student Support Specialist will log and submit all hours worked to the Telluride Academy Program Director for each pay period using our Timetrex App.

About Telluride Academy:

Telluride Academys mission is to Connect youth with nature through outdoor adventure, creativity, and environmental stewardship".
Based in the San Juan Mountains, Telluride Academy is Telluride's premier summer camp and has been inspiring youth through outdoor education and adventure for over 40 years. Join us in creating unforgettable memories for the next generation of adventurers! Please www.tellurideacademy.org to learn more.

Core Values:

• Enrichment through experiential education.
• Inclusion of children and teens from all backgrounds.
• Respect for individual uniqueness.
• Responsible environmental stewardship.

Hiring Policy:

Telluride Academy (TA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Telluride Academy's management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs and general treatment during employment.

TA will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation of an otherwise qualified applicant or employee related to an individual's: physical or mental disability; sincerely held religious beliefs and practices; and/or any other reason required by applicable law, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship upon TA's business operations.