Director of Student Support Services

Job Description

Title: Director of Student Support Services

Division: School-Wide

Reports to: Principal

Status: Full-time, Exempt (Year-Round), CalSTRS Retirement System Eligible 

Supervises: Social Worker, Dean of Students (4), School Nurses (2)

Salary: $120,000-$130,000 $12,000 Temporary Cost of Living Allowance and MWA Benefits
 

Summary

Under the direction of the Principal, the Director of Student Support Services directs the planning, development, implementation, and compliance of systems for student support and programs as it relates to student services, mental health, discipline management system, and restorative practices. They provide leadership that supports a culture of compliance in matters relating to student accountability as defined in the MWA, Student-Parent/Guardian Handbook, which includes policy violations, suspensions, and expulsions. 

The Director of Student Support Services conducts research on best practices in proactively supporting the social-emotional development, proper boundary development, decision-making and consequences, and inclusion needs of all students. The Director of Student Support Services analyzes and responds to data related to the whole child such as student attendance data, student truancy data, disciplinary data, and social-emotional measurement data to inform practices, supports, and training of their team and some staff. 

The Director of Student Support Services also provides direct supervision to a team who is primarily responsible for providing services to students in the areas of mental health, behavior intervention, and discipline. Additionally, they provide regular oversight and evaluation of the practices of the Social Worker and the Deans of Students as well other positions who support students in the disciplinary processes. 

The Director of Student Support Services oversees the implementation of school-wide systems that support the creation of a positive student culture while upholding school policies. Working with their team and other key staff, the Director of Student Support Services takes a proactive approach in the development of community partnerships in support of MWA students and families.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Supervision, Management & Development

• Supervise a team of MWA employees and service providers to deliver and evaluate essential student services. Provide direction, coordination, consultation, and guidance to MWA’s Deans, social worker, nurses, service providers, and other student-facing positions.
• Oversee fidelity to student management systems for mental health, SEL, and discipline data.
• Develop, organize, and disseminate daily, weekly, monthly, grading period, and annual reports (depending on the item) of academic, social-emotional, disciplinary, and social data.
• With the Principal and Assistant Principals, monitor and report out progress against WASC/LCAP goals throughout the school year. 
• Provides professional development, training, and/or presentations to build the capacity of the school site staff as it pertains to policies, restorative practices, Positive Behavior Intervention Services (PBIS), behavior management, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

School-Wide Systems, Practices, & Data

• Develop and implement policies, strategies, and processes that align with MTSS/PBIS frameworks. 
• Oversee review and implementation of relevant school policies including: student support services, discipline, involuntary removal/expulsion, mental health services, and violence/suicide prevention. 
• Set goals, collect and review data, and conduct surveys to assess SEL, discipline, general support, and restorative practice systems’ effectiveness and level of impact.
• With the Deans and Social Worker, formally review, discuss, and analyze data, to share common insights and identify areas of focus and concern to address in the areas of discipline, restorative practices, SEL, and general student support.  

Student Discipline Compliance & Policy Administration

• Assess and monitor school practices regularly to ensure they are legal and ethical for students and families so each student has the opportunity to achieve at a high level and be prepared for post-secondary success.
• Inform policies and procedures in accordance with laws and regulations. 
• Guide, direct, and participate in serious discipline processes, including student suspensions and expulsions. 

Mission Alignment

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Making Waves Academy’s mission, core values, standards, competencies, and code of conduct outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Participate in the school community – attending school competitions, performances, assemblies, and extracurricular activities.

Work Environment

• This job operates in an office and school environment and routinely uses standard office equipment.
• Some travel required for MWA related events, such as workshops or conferences.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, phone, and keyboard. Light to moderate lifting may be required. The employee will frequently walk across the campus, participate in campus supervision duty, stand and sit for long periods of time.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree and 3 years’ direct experience in K-12 and 3 years leadership experience in a supervisory capacity required. 5 years’ experience working directly with students between the ages of 10-18 desired.
• Experience working directly in K-12 student discipline, and understanding of California Education Code as it relates to student behavior and conduct required.
• Experience working with students and families from historically underserved communities, passion for MWA’s mission, and demonstrated commitment to supporting first-generation students and/or children and families from historically underserved communities.
• Experience in analyzing student performance data to guide decision-making and planning. Demonstrated expertise in leading change management and implementing intervention and support programming within a school environment, encompassing highly effective professional development initiatives for teachers and staff required.

Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in the Restorative Justice (RJ) framework and philosophy, Positive Behavior Intervention Services (PBIS) framework and philosophy, and Multi-Tiered Support Services (MTSS) approach and philosophy.
• Knowledge of organizational systems, the role of public education in the United States, racial equity, social justice, culturally relevant instruction/practices, and special education laws and practices.
• Strong understanding of laws and regulations related to student services. Readiness to adapt strategies based on changing student needs and evolving educational trends.
• Skill in problem-solving by identifying challenges and devising innovative solutions within the context of RJ, PBIS, and MTSS frameworks.
• Strong leadership qualities and the ability to work effectively in a demanding, fast-paced environment. 
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills. Flexible, adaptable, and proactive. Bilingual (Spanish-English) skills are strongly desired. Ability to foster a positive school culture and lead with integrity, inclusivity, and a focus on equity.
• Demonstrate an understanding of technology and literacy learning platforms. Knowledge of data management systems, including those for tracking student performance. Comfortable learning and using the digital tools MWA uses, and willing to try out new technologies and work tools.
• Highly organized, goal-oriented, collaborative, and focused on outcomes. Ability to meet deadlines on a tight schedule.
• Professional orientation – appearance, communication, organization, and attitude. Ability to uphold and reinforce MWA policies and procedures when addressing students and families. Ability to adapt and align on school-related initiatives.

Licenses or Certificates 

• Employment eligibility will include fingerprints/Live Scan, tuberculosis (TB) screening, and other employment clearance.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable Accommodation
Consistent with its obligations under the law, MWA will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Equal Employment Opportunity Is Our Policy

Making Waves Academy is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the School to afford equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to their perceived or identified: race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyle, including but not limited to braids, locks, and twists); color; gender, (including gender identity, gender expression, and transgender identity, whether or not the employee is transitioning or has transitioned); sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to such); religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices); marital/registered domestic partner status; age (forty (40) and over); national origin or ancestry (including native language spoken and possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their presence in the U.S. is authorized by federal law); physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS); medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics); taking of a leave of absence pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), Pregnancy Disability Leave (“PDL”) law, Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”), the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”), or laws related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking laws; genetic information; sexual orientation; military and veteran status; or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy extends to all job applicants and employees and to all aspects of the employment relationship, including the hiring of new employees and the training, transfer, promotion, discipline, termination, compensation and benefits of existing employees. For a full copy of our non-discrimination policy, visit: https://bit.ly/mwapublicnotices

Salary : $120,000 - $130,000