POSITION: Director of Student Support Services (12-month position)

REPORTS TO: Principal

Bridges Public Charter School is seeking a thoughtful, committed, persistent and experienced special education leader to serve as its Director of Student Support Services for the 2024-2025 school year. Founded in 2005 Bridges PCS serves a diverse student population of more than 360 students from PreK through 5th grade.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide an exemplary educational program that includes all students. Our developmentally appropriate, student and family-centered educational approach nurtures students to expand their developmental skills, in order to build a foundation for life-long learning. Our Core Values are:

• Responsibility
• Engagement
• Acceptance
• Creativity
• Honesty

Overview of the Role

The Director of Student Support Services participates actively in the life of the school to forward best practices and innovations to enhance student learning. Works with the school’s Leadership Team to ensure that Bridges’ services for students with disabilities are not only compliant but also maximally effective. The Director of Student Support Services oversees creating and maintaining systems to identify students with disabilities, coordinating the services and accommodations / modifications for students with disabilities, and organizing and analyzing student data to increase the effectiveness of the special education and 504 programs. 

The Director of Student Support Services facilitates student support team meetings, supports the planning and delivery of specialized instruction and monitors the work of the Assistant Director of Student Support Services, Special Education Coordinators and special education teachers. In addition the Director of Student Support Services serves as liaison to all internal and external constituents, including families, OSSE, the DCPCSB, and other relevant local organizations. The Director of Student Support Services communicates with and trains staff in systems, programs, and instructional practices that serve students with disabilities at Bridges. In addition, provides coaching support for the special education instructional program, evaluating lesson plans and observing classes on a regular basis to encourage the use of a variety of instructional strategies and materials consistent with research on students with a classified learning disability and child growth and development. The Director of Student Support Service will be willing to learn about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in order to support the school’s work that merge best practices in special education and supporting students with special needs with UDL.

The ideal candidate has experience with teaching special education students and the administration of a special education program. Is knowledgeable about current IDEA, NCLB and 504 Legislation, local (DCMR) Special Education policies and procedures, as well as RTI. Exhibits superior organizational and communication skills; is compassionate; can provide effective collaborative and open-minded leadership; is flexible and Team-oriented with a collaborative approach to working with colleagues, administrators, and parents.

Qualifications

• A Masters degree in early childhood special education, special education or a related field. 
• Certification in special education, a plus.
• Knowledge of current IDEA, NCLB and 504 Legislation and local (DCMR) Special Education policies and procedures.
• Ability to write IEPs and use computer based systems to manage the IEP and special education process. 
• 5 years of experience with special education administration and teaching.
• Demonstrate a superior ability to coach/supervise staff members with a variety of skill sets and educational experiences.
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, parents, community members, and staff members. 
• Demonstrate strong skills in partnering with other team members and families.
• Be committed to meeting the needs of a diverse student population.
• Have a track record of being a team player and community minded.
• Be committed to his/her own learning. 
• Have excellent time-management skills and detail oriented.
• Have a passion for urban public schools. 
• Adhere to a high level of professional and ethical standards.

Responsibilities Include

• Oversees the support for students with special needs in inclusive, self-contained and pull-out settings.
• Ensure appropriate delivery and monitoring of both special education instruction and related services as stipulated on IEPs.
• Monitor and ensure compliance by the school with all local and Federal laws and regulation relating to Students with IEPs. 
• Serves as LEA representative at all school held IEP meetings. 
• Monitors and ensures appropriate implementation of 504 plans by the school and compliance by the school with all 504 legislation.
• Serve as the Is primary point of contact and coordinates outside agencies that provide services and do evaluations of students. 
• Monitors and ensures that services provided by contractual personnel are of high quality and aligned with students’ IEPs.
• Supervise and evaluate Special Education Coordinators, Related Service Providers, Assistant Director of Student Support Services and Behavior Technicians.
• Creates and maintains monthly supervision and team meeting calendar for supervisees and share calendar with Senior Leadership.
• Provide training and technical assistance to Special Education Coordinators, Related Service Providers and support service professionals on all aspects of case management: use of computer systems for the special education process, writing of goal writing, progress reports, annual reviews and parent communication. As well as how to successfully lead or participate in an IEP meeting.
• Ensure IEPs are developmentally appropriate, curriculum-based and relevant to individual students. 
• Establishes and maintains school and LEA tracking and data system that includes: student information related to IEPs, services, service hours, evaluations, MDT referrals, timelines in which evaluations were completed and discipline incidents. 
• Provides training and technical assistance to school leaders, administrators and instructional staff on IDEA, inclusion, and meeting the needs of diverse learners in the least restrictive environment.
• Plans special education initiatives and assumes the responsibility for the direction and management of the initiatives. Integrates new developments, research findings and best practices into ongoing programs and new initiatives.
• Represents Bridges as a subject matter expert for Special Education as implemented by Bridges PCS in contact with OSSE, Federal Agencies and nonprofits concerning students with special needs. 
• Oversees special education budget, spending and inventory of equipment / materials. 
• Support in the identification and development of appropriate curriculum to help students with IEPs.
• Gather and report data for all reporting requirements concerning students with IEPs and other required reports (to the State, Department of Education, census, grant applications, annual report, etc.). 
• Maintains a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues. 
• Advocates for special education with school leadership.
• Serve as an active member of the Wellness Team coordinating and connecting Family Engagement, Attendance and Behavior.
• Establish and maintain consistent and clear communication with parents of students in the program. 
• Facilitate workshops / meetings for parents, as well as identifies resources for parents of students with special and / or for the school in the community.
• Support students instructionally in the classroom or in pull out settings. 
• Provide current and up to date information on all compliance/legal information regarding students with IEPs and 504s. Including:
  • Providing Feedback and Technical Assistance on the Monitoring and Implementation of compliance/legal information
  • Monitoring and Collecting IEP Data, Providing Feedback and Technical Assistance 
• Attend and participate in school events outside of regular school hours. 
• Engage parents and families in their student’s learning and acting as an ambassador for the school in the community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Spanish-speakers and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply

Salary & Benefits

Salary is based on educational level, certification(s), and years of experience. The successful candidate will be contracted yearly. Employment will be renewed according to evaluations and staff interest. Child care and health savings plans, pre-tax deduction for Metro, bike racks and regular staff engagement and wellness activities. Staff lounge and lactation room for nursing mothers. Health benefits (medical & dental), disability insurance, and a retirement plan: 401-(k) with a 4% match or the continuation of the DCPS retirement plan.

To ensure safety for all students, all staff members may be fingerprinted. Background checks will be conducted on all school staff prior to their service as employees. 

For more information about the school, please visit www.bridgespcs.org