Director of Student Services

Dorchester County Public Schools is currently accepting applications for a Director of Student Services. This position reports to the Assistant Superintendent for Academics and Student Services. The successful candidate will direct the planning, implementation, administration, and evaluation of the school system’s Pupil Services program which includes pupil personnel, school counselors, social workers, community schools’ program, student health and safety, home and hospital instruction, home schooling, homeless instruction, discipline, attendance, and Title IX coordination. In addition, the Director of Student Services will coordinate with the local agencies about the health programs. Additional programs administered include Safe and Drug Free Schools and Dropout Prevention.?The successful candidate will demonstrate principled leadership and decision making while assuming a leadership role that reflects the outcomes outlined in the Maryland Instructional Leadership Framework and Maryland’s Blueprint for Community Schools. This position is located at the Central Office. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Direct the planning, implementation, administration, and evaluation of the Pupil Services program, including pupil personnel, school counselors, social workers, community schools, student health and safety, home and hospital instruction, home schooling, homeless instruction, discipline, attendance, and Title IX coordination. 
• Coordinate with local agencies about health programs and administer additional programs such as Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Dropout Prevention. 
• Demonstrate principled leadership and decision-making in alignment with the Maryland Instructional Leadership Framework and Maryland’s Blueprint for Community Schools. 
• Meet regularly with the Superintendent and other administrators to establish goals and develop plans for effective program administration. 
• Serve as the Superintendent’s designee for reviewing extended suspension and expulsion cases, coordinating student disciplinary hearings, and monitoring student rights and responsibilities. 
• Develop and manage processes for students returning from extended suspension and expulsion and develop alternatives to suspension. 
• Oversee Student Services and make recommendations for improvement. 
• Supervise and evaluate Pupil Personnel Workers, School Health Program, School Counselors, Community School Liaisons and Mental Health Services. 
• Work collaboratively with Alternative Education Programs and outside contractor services. 
• Develop strategies to implement statewide and local pupil service programs and accountability requirements. 
• Serve as the primary contact for parent and community complaints and act as the Title IX coordinator. 
• Administer and monitor compliance with federal and state regulations related to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, ESSA Plan, Federal Title Grants, and other educational funded programs. 
• Work cooperatively with Budget, Finance, and Purchasing to manage Blueprint for Maryland's Future funding. 
• Develop procedures to evaluate program effectiveness and initiate staff training programs related to student services. 
• Monitor, coordinate, and evaluate the effectiveness of school-community programs. 
• Provide leadership in crisis intervention and serve on agency and community boards as assigned. 
• Engage in grant writing and management. 
• Maintain awareness of state and county requirements affecting school health programs and disseminate information as appropriate. 
• Coordinate registration procedures for all students and prepare and administer relevant budgets and grants. 
• Collaborate with school personnel to share information about students and plan for behavior modification. 
• Direct case study services for students with attendance, mental health, or behavior problems. 
• Write proposals, administer awarded grants, and prepare related reports. 
• Collect statistical data for planning educational programs and ensure the accuracy of student discipline data. 
• Review and recommend changes to Board policy and procedures related to pupil services. 
• Organize and maintain the student attendance accounting system and supervise the maintenance of student records. 
• Oversee the collection and reporting of student data related to attendance and discipline. 
• Conduct studies of dropouts and graduates and provide in-service workshops and training programs. 
• Attend professional development workshops and explain school system policies relating to pupil services to staff and the community. 

 OTHER DUTIES: 

• Advocate for students to ensure equitable educational opportunities. 
• Appraise parents of community services related to education, social, health, and economic issues. 
• Facilitate alternative placements for students and collaborate with school staff to assess student needs and plan programs. 
• Interpret policies and procedures to parents, community groups, and public agencies regarding attendance areas and residence verification. 
• Support schools in maintaining regular, on-time attendance. 
• Recruit, screen, assign, evaluate, and train home and hospital teachers. 
• Prepare reports and perform other duties as assigned. 

 QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Eligible for Maryland State Department of Education Licensure for Administrator I. 
• Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university. 
• Minimum five years of successful job-related experience and leadership or supervisory experience preferred. 
• Knowledge of current policies directing student conduct and behavior, relevant State and Federal Regulations, and current trends and research in the field. 
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with staff, parents, students, public officials, and community organizations. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Ability to present concise yet comprehensive analysis and reports to various audiences. 

SALARY: Exempt position This is a twelve (12) month, benefited position. This is a senior leadership position and salary determined by the Superintedent of Schools and the Board of Education.