Executive Director Student Support Services

The Executive Director, Student Support Services will be responsible for directing all aspects of Special Education, 504, to include budgeting; staffing; professional development; curriculum alignment, development and implementation while leading innovation for continuous departmental improvements. This incumbent will also provide information and support to campuses regarding compliance with legal mandates, rules and regulations, both State and Federal, which govern the provision of services for students with disabilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Lead and contribute to strategic planning initiatives aimed at program improvement, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and driving continuous enhancement of educational offerings and student outcomes
• Develop systems to oversee the development of campus based instructional leaders to build capacity to support Student Support Services, instructional programs and curriculum implementation
• Collaborate with all departments in the academic division to provide service and support for students with special needs, teachers, and campus administrators
• Lead, design, coordinate, and deliver professional learning and presentations for district personnel, parents, and other stakeholders
• Promote high expectations for collaboration, performance, and positive staff morale in working with teacher leaders, teachers, elementary and secondary administrators, as well as central office personnel
• Articulate the District's mission, instructional philosophy, and curriculum implementation strategies as they relate to Student Support Services to district leaders, campus leaders and the community, and solicit their support in realizing the mission

Program Management

• Lead the Student Support Services staff to collaboratively formulate, implement, and monitor effective instructional programs for students with disabilities.
• Work with staff, parents and community members to implement and evaluate the programs on a systematic basis throughout the year
• Promote inclusion of programs for students with disabilities into least restrictive environments
• Coordinate evaluations, placements, transfers and dismissal procedures for students receiving services
• Provide instructional resources, materials and technology to support instructional staff in accordance with the Special Education Resource System (SERS)
• Mediate and facilitate effective resolution of conflicts in a timely manner

Administrative

• Develop and manage the annual Student Support Services budget and oversee the budgets of assigned departments to ensure prudent management of funds and human resources necessary to carry out the diverse functions of assigned departments
• Collaborate to oversee the recruitment, selection, assignment, supervision, professional growth, and evaluation of departmental personnel within the Student Support Services department
• Conduct effective and accurate evaluations of assigned personnel
• Collect and use data as well as evaluative information to improve program services and student performance.
• Serve as the District’s liaison at state and national workshops/conferences and serve on committees to advance educational opportunities for all students
• Guide the development and implementation of district strategic, district improvement, and corresponding campus improvement plans to address district goals and objectives

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assist in the process of recruiting, screening, interviewing, and hiring of assigned staff
• Initiate personnel actions including documentation and termination under the guidance of Human Resources
• Conduct the performance appraisals of assigned staff
• Supervise Special Education Programs
• Supervise the District’s 504/Dyslexia Programs

Qualification Requirements

• Master's degree required
• Doctorate degree preferred
• Valid Teaching Certification Issued by Texas Education Agency appropriate to subject and grade level of assignment or out of state equivalent certification and the ability to obtain Texas Certification required
• Valid Texas Mid-Management or Principal Certification or out of state equivalent certification and the ability to obtain Texas Certification required
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a classroom teacher
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in instructional program leadership at campus or district level
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of Special Education required