Director of Student Services (Certified Administrator)

MUSCATINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Director of Student Services Job Description

SECTION I:  GENERAL INFORMATION

SECTION II:  JOB SUMMARY

To provide leadership to the personnel and programs serving needs of students in the Muscatine Community School District.  To direct special education planning, implementation, coordination and performance of the personnel functions as it relates to the special education needs of the district and other programs as may be assigned; e.g. ELP/TAG; At-Risk, Homeless, SEL/SEBH, TLCS, HSAP, Title I & III, SPED, ECSE, DLIP, TQ, 504.  To function in accordance with the best educational practices remaining in compliance with federal and state regulations/laws while remaining within the limits of district resources.

The Director of Student Services operates from a belief in shared decision making, and appreciates the contribution of others to the decision making process.  Life-long learning is a commitment that is expressed in both the professional career of the Director and in expectancies held for others; especially of those in the special education field.

The Director is a strong child advocate putting the child first in the decision making process.

SECTION III:  ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:

• Provide leadership in the implementation, expansion or development of adopted curriculum and programs.
• Facilitate the administration of the District and state testing programs.
• Convene staff to facilitate the articulation of curriculum standards within the school.
• Keep informed and communicate current trends and best practices for high schools and implement as appropriate.
• Provide quality educational program

Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:

• In cooperation with the district Board Office, develop staffing ratios, projections and recommendations to adequately staff the school.
• Plan and implement staff development programs relative to district and program initiatives. 
• Assists in all levels of the personnel process including recruitment, selection, assignment, evaluation, training and development, discipline, and assignment of special program personnel.
• The Director will be an active member and participant of the group process represented by the efforts of our Special Programs.
• The Director reviews teacher certification and program assignment for appropriateness. Training is set up to provide and maintain the level of expertise needed to assure quality educational services.

Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:

• Administer current policies and goals of the District.

• Comply with local, state and federal legislation/regulations.

• Facilitate and supervise a responsible budgeting process within District and state guidelines.

• Facilitate the procurement of necessary supplies, equipment and materials.
• Facilitate the formulation, implementation and evaluation of school procedures, rules and regulations.
• Understand, relate to, communicate with and serve a diverse population.
• Convene staff meetings.
• Monitor student achievement through examination of standardized test scores, students’ progress, standards assessment and other information related to learning.
• Foster a safe and positive school environment that enhances the learning process for students.
• Collaborate with school personnel, parents, community and students to develop and maintain high standards of pupil conduct and to enforce discipline when necessary with regards to due process of student rights.

Oversees the student component of our special programs including:

• Collection and maintenance of special needs student records, reports and pertinent data.

• Performs ongoing evaluation, monitoring and problem resolution in relation to the programming and appropriate placement of students with special needs in PK-12 .

• Interacts as necessary with the Transportation Coordinator to coordinate and facilitate appropriate transportation for students with special needs.

• In administering student services, the Director continually strives to meet the needs of the whole child within the constraints of resources and regulations.

The Director reports to the superintendent, and coordinates special education programs in accordance with district policy and goals.  Related duties include:

• Serves as liaison for the district with other districts and institutions, the Area Education Agency, the Iowa Department of Education and other governmental bodies, as well as the home schooling of students with special needs.

• Facilitates open communication at all levels of the district and community.

• Reviews, updates, and suggests Board policies where needed (Academic & Behavioral)

• Develops short and long-range plans relating to special education, educational improvement and innovation in an environment of shared decision making.

• Addresses concerns from parents, community members, and the general public in relation to special education.

• Serves as a representative of the district in presentations and meetings pertaining to special education concerns and operations.

• Facilitates positive public relations efforts.

• Maintains vigilance of due process procedures for faculty, staff and students as well as up-to-date knowledge of   state and federal mandates relating to special education in Muscatine Schools. Demonstrates good human relations (people) skills and may serve as a conflict facilitator as the need arises. Serves as the 504 and American Disabilities Act coordinator for non-personnel issues.

Curriculum:

• Works with existing models of delivery services, and does short and long-range, visionary planning for program improvement.
• Involved in forming and facilitating professional committees for the purposes of curriculum development and improvement and MTSS structures and processes.
• Participates in research and development efforts that support the improvement of services delivered to students with special needs.
• Aides in development of various evaluation systems to assess program effectiveness over time.
• Monitors the various special education delivery systems, making changes where needed to maintain program effectiveness.

Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:

• Prepare necessary information for the completion of local, state and federal reports.
• Participate in school district, state and national seminars, workshops and conferences that foster personal professional growth. 
• The Director maintains active membership and contact with professional organizations in the field of administration, special education, and federal and state programs.  Efforts are consistently extended to improve skills and knowledge through conferences, workshops, visitation, webinars, and meetings.  Knowledge of best practices in general and special education is maintained.
• Serve on various district-wide, and other appropriate administrative, community, state and national committees.
• Performs other responsibilities/duties as assigned. 
• The Director provides systematic and pertinent communications to the Superintendent, the Board of Education, other administrators, the Area Education Agency, teachers, parents, students, support staff, and the community in general of key aspects of the special education program in Muscatine.

Develops and administers the district-wide special education budget within the broader confines of the district financial structure.  This includes:

• Budgeting - Approves all building special education budgets, district expenditures for special program needs and required program situations, maintains alertness of the impact of funding appropriations on district finances relating to special education, and monitors the status of the various special program budgets within the district.
• Manages student enrollment, weighting data, official head count and the clerical requirements of this effort.

SECTION IV:  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Communication skills
• Ability to be heard in a variety of settings.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, government regulations, etc.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence, procedure manuals, etc.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, parents, students, community members, supervisors and school board members in large and small groups.
• Finance Skills
• Ability to develop and maintain sound building budget processes.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, formulas, etc.

• Reasoning Skills
• Ability to implement problem solving techniques.  
• Ability to interpret technical instructions.  
• Ability to facilitate through use of conflict resolution management.
• Other Skills and Abilities
• Ability to delegate responsibility and maintain accountability
• Ability to use technology to communicate and manage

SECTION V:  EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Valid State of Iowa certification for Special Education Supervisor endorsement
• Iowa Evaluator Approval licensure (required)

SECTION VI:  EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Exemplary teaching and/or administrative experience required. 
• Experience working with students who display academic and behavioral difficulties.
• Experience working with and addressing the needs of a diverse student population.
• Experience building capacity to build consensus and a positive school culture.  
• Experience with planning and implementing RTI/MTSS initiatives.
• Successful high school administration experience preferred

Note:  Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

SECTION VII:  COMPETENCIES AND/OR VALUES COMMON TO ALL POSITIONS

• A clear and demonstrated commitment to the District mission, which is to ensure high quality, innovative, challenging education where all learners are valued and respected.
• Carries out the Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL).
• Performing assigned responsibilities in a manner consistent with the District’s established Core Values.
• Advancing the District’s mission and values through careful attention to the key issues of Learning, Environment and Resources.

SECTION VIII:  PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

(Indicate according to essential duties/responsibilities):

The physical job requirements described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.