Director of Student Services

Mission: Mountain Song Community School, as a member of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education, is a public charter school that utilizes developmentally appropriate holistic education to nurture the body, mind, and heart of each student.

Position Summary: The Director of Student Services works in partnership with the Director of Education and the Director of Operations to form the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), which is accountable to the Mountain Song Community School Board of Directors for all aspects of school performance and for carrying out these responsibilities in a manner consistent with the school’s mission and vision. The ELT has overall responsibility for the administration, functioning, financial management, and strategic planning of the school. The Director of Student Services shares the vision of working as a servant leader, creating an environment of stability in a rhythmic, balanced, and healthful way so that the school is fully able to fulfill its mission and each member of the team is able to contribute fully to the vision. The Director of Student Services has the primary responsibility for leading special programs at Mountain Song including Special Education, Gifted Education, Section 504, English Language programs, and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)/Intervention programs.

Reports to: Mountain Song Community School (MSCS) Board of Directors (“the Board”)

Position Status: Full Time, Exempt

Salary: $65,000-75,000 depending on education and experience

Essential Duties:

Special Programs

• Ensure MSCS remains in compliance with state and federal laws and guidelines governing all special programs
• Oversee and advise Special Education Staff, Paraprofessionals, Student Services Administrative Assistant, Counselor/504 Coordinator, Gifted Education Teacher, English Language Teacher, and Tier 2 Interventionists
• Maintain accurate record keeping for special programs on the current student information system and in paper file systems
• Oversee the implementation of effective procedures for the screening, evaluating, and identifying of students in special programs. Communicate these procedures clearly to all staff at MSCS.
• Oversee the development of quality, individualized student plans including Individual Education Programs (IEPs), Advanced Learning Plans (ALPs), Multilingual Learner Plans, 504 Plans, and READ Plans
• Work with teachers in each of the special programs to develop processes for tracking

services on a daily basis and monitoring individual student progress

• Coordinate systems for communicating updates to families through IEP Progress Reports, MTSS Letters, Parent/Teacher Conferences, and annual student plan meetings
• Consult with general education teachers, special subject teachers, and classroom aids in coordination with staff from special programs regarding the implementation of documented accommodations, Behavior Intervention Plans, Escalation Cycle Management Plans, and/or strategies for differentiated instruction in the classroom setting
• Oversee the implementation of high quality small group and/or one-on-one instruction to students in special programs and ensure these services are delivered on a regular basis
• Work closely with the Director of Operations and the Business manager regarding budgets for special programs
• Work with special program staff members regarding the ordering of supplies, curriculum, technology, etc. for each program
• Work with the Pedagogical Advisor to explore opportunities for special programs to align with Waldorf Pedagogy as much as possible
• Work with the Educational Data Systems Manager to coordinate testing
• Collaborate with the Business Manager regarding daily staffing for special programs and the communication of a schedule for paraprofessionals
• Consult on all discipline decisions involving students in Special Education or Section 504 programs; help to facilitate Manifestation Determination Meetings in conjunction with CSI and the ELT
• Review and develop policies and procedures for special programs in conjunction with ELT
• Coordinate and facilitate parent meetings when appropriate for students and staff members in special programs
• Oversee staff training and building procedures for handling student crisis situations (CPI training, Suicide Ideation, Threat Assessment, etc.)
• Seek out and communicate professional development opportunities for staff in special programs
• Oversee curriculum implementation for special programs in conjunction with the ELT
• Schedule and facilitate weekly area meetings for the Special Education Department as well as regular meetings for the MTSS team in conjunction with special program staff members
• Evaluate the effectiveness of special programs and promote high quality programming for students in these programs through knowledge of best practices, goal setting, etc.
• Communicate with CSI to coordinate special program audits, submissions, and other data collection needs
• Coordinate orientation and training for new staff members in special programs
• throughout the school year
• Collaborate with the Director of Operations on grants involving special programs
• Be an advocate in the larger MSCS community for students in special programs and their families

Other

• Work with the ELT to project academic program needs, capital project planning, and professional development
• Attend and participate in MSCS Board Meetings as an ex-officio member
• Attend and participate in the Teacher Leadership Council when appropriate
• Participate in Finance Committee efforts
• Participate in Family Engagement Committee (FEC) effort

Duties Shared with Executive Leadership Team

Leadership

• Model positive leadership by possessing and demonstrating a moral and ethical compass that sets a correct tone for the rest of the MSCS community
• Demonstrate a passion for Waldorf education as well as the needs of all students
• Inspire and build a shared vision for operational excellence
• Enable staff, students, families and others to act in positive and productive ways
• Encourage and support staff, families, students, and others as they contribute to the mission of the school
• Communicate effectively and positively in both written and oral forms with the Board, parents, faculty, administrative staff and the community
• Understand the charter school system(CSI)

Oversight of Legal Issues

• Maintain knowledge of state policies, regulations, laws and licensing requirements that apply to charter schools; apply that knowledge to ensure compliance
• Ensure legal basis for all school policies and administrative actions
• Oversee coherent policy of student conduct, special needs requirements, and supervision
• Collaborate with ELT on UIP development in conjunction with, FEC, faculty, and community
• Oversee and implement protocols and processes for benefits and compensation, recruiting, hiring, retention, and dismissal of all personnel

Other Areas

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to identify and create MSCS policies and procedures which adhere to applicable laws, ensure smooth and efficient operation of the school, and are based on current best practices with consideration of all stakeholders’ interests
• Collaborate with the Executive Committee for the crafting of Board meeting agendas
• Support the Board-led Development Process
• Communicate and collaborate with CSI, to include delivering reports as required and coordination in respective areas
• Monitor and improve student attendance
• Prepare and deliver reports to the Board, MSCS staff, and MSCS community as required
• Conduct strategic planning in collaboration with the Board
• Conduct capital planning in collaboration with Board
• Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors, faculty, Family Engagement Committee (FEC) , and Parent Circle
• Share leadership and coordination of MSCS staff meetings; participates in regular staff development meetings and make content-appropriate presentations as needed
• Participate in committees as necessary
• Perform duties as assigned for emergency procedures

Other Position Requirements

This is a twelve-month position that may require more than 40 hours per week, on an at-will employment basis. Expected to attend staff and board meetings, and any applicable off-campus meetings or training during or beyond the regular school day. Local travel (including occasional trips to Denver) will be required to meet with Colorado Charter Schools Institute, regional business manager meetings and other business personnel and community leaders. In addition to the outlined job description, will perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Commitment to public Waldorf education
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a co-equal team member of the Executive Leadership Team
• Bachelor of Arts in related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working with students and staff in Special Education
• Preferred experience working with the following special programs: Section 504, Gifted Education, English Language, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support including Reading or Math Intervention
• Proficient in employee management, specifically employee evaluations and supervision
• Knowledge of standard administrative practices and procedures
• Proficient written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with community groups, private and public agencies, parents, and the general public
• Demonstrated experience analyzing processes, identifying gaps and recommending solutions
• Ability to bring projects to completion
• Ability to multitask
• Detailed and effective organizational skills
• Accurately, neatly, and effectively prepares and presents data
• Proven excellent customer service skills
• Ability to articulate the school’s mission and vision
• Willingness to listen to constructive criticism and utilize it for personal and professional growth

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and fingers, and is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Frequently is required to work with computer keyboard, monitor, and other visual technology; and work may include personal contact with children who may be seated on the floor or at low tables. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Close vision is required for detailed work. Required work will take place outside and in a classroom and will occasionally be noisy. Working with youth may require exposure to bacterial contamination.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Colorado Springs, CO 80904: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person