JOB DESCRIPTION
STUDENTS IN TRANSITION EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (STEP) SPECIALIST

General Summary:
The STEP Specialist serves students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate overnight residence by educating and
providing support services to ensure educational success and lifelong learning. The Specialist works closely with parents,
teachers, administrators, counselors, social workers, and shelter personnel to enhance students’ school performance,
decrease the symptoms of homelessness and promote social skills with peers and adults.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Enhance academic performance by assessing students’ needs using Request for Services Record.
2. Help students with organizational skills, remediation of concepts, completion of current assignments, makeup
missed assignments, test preparation and practice presentations/speeches.
3. Create weekly/monthly tutoring schedules.
4. Arrange extra tutoring sessions and help from teachers or another source, as needed.
5. Monitor student progress in scheduled classes (review principal viewer weekly).
6. Consult with teachers to determine strategies for academic assistance.
7. Complete records on each student (needs assessment, services provided, tutoring).
8. Maintain updated list of students receiving services.
9. Complete and submit data forms as required.
10. Communicate with parents, if available, administrators, teachers, secretaries, counselors, social workers, and
other appropriate school personnel.
11. Advocate for accommodations, class schedules/teachers and/or individual assessment when appropriate.
12. Decrease symptoms of homelessness.
13. Remove barriers to students’ full access to opportunities in school environment, including co-curricular and
extra-curricular activities.
14. Provide access to school supplies, personal hygiene products, clothing, and food.
15. Provide referrals for housing and medical, optical, and dental care.
16. Ensure students’ participation in school nutrition (free lunch) program.
17. Provide information and assistance regarding post-secondary education, scholarships, testing and help
sessions.
18. Assist in completing college applications, essays, FAFSA and scholarship forms.
19. Promote life/social skills with peers and adults.
20. Listen, support and model effective communication and problem-solving skills.
21. Role play scenarios that empower students’ self-advocacy.
22. Explore options with students regarding supportive community and school-based services (healthcare,
insurance, transportation, housing, counseling).
23. Serve as navigator of community systems to build self-awareness and self-confidence.
24. Attend trainings as assigned.
25. Participate in monthly staff meetings.
26. Participate in professional development related to poverty and/or homelessness.
27. Be accessible for collegial consultation.
28. Maintain licensure through the Michigan Department of Education.
29. Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
1. Minimum of three years experience working with at-risk students, preferred.
2. Valid teaching, counseling or social work license, preferred.
3. Evidence of adaptability and problem solving.
4. Willingness to learn, acquire and apply new skills and knowledge.
5. Evidence of good interpersonal skills with colleagues and parents.