What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Student Support Services position at Penns Valley Area School District?
- Ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations governing special education services.
- supervise evaluation, selection, and implementation of special education programs.
- Monitor special education paperwork for compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Oversee placement, evaluation, assignment and re-evaluation of students with in special education programs.
- Recommend policies and program changes in alignment with federal and state guidance.
- Evaluate special education programs and recommend necessary improvements.
- Oversee adherence to Chapter 14 timelines and best practices.
- Attend transition to school age meetings and assist parents in understanding school-aged services.
- Keep informed of all legal requirements and “best practices” as it relates to special education.
- Assist with the implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) throughout the district.
- Assist with the implementation of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) throughout the district.
- Supervise, observe and evaluate the school’s special education certified and non-certified personnel including contracted services.
- Lead recruitment, selection and hiring recommendation for special education personnel.
- Manage special education reports, records, and compliance-related documents.
- Develop and maintain complete and cumulative individual records of students receiving special services.
- Supervise preparation of attendance reports and similar data necessary to reimbursement of funds, collecting tuition for out of district students and similar fiscal matters.
- Coordinate transportation for students requiring special transportation.
- Develop budget and maintain the special education budget.
- Coordinate and facilitate Extended School Year services for all students deemed eligible.
- Complete the Act 16 report and applies for any Contingency Funds.
- Coordinate the PDE compliance monitoring process.
- Maintain a permanent inventory of equipment purchased for special education.
- Establish and implement procedures for requisitioning, ordering and pay for special education equipment and supplies.
- Provide preliminary approval for texts and other resources used by special education personnel.
- Evaluate the special education program, curriculum, procedure and individual student needs and achievements.
- Make recommendations on designs, furnishings, equipment and location of new special education facilities.
- Plan for and implement professional development for staff.
- Work with the Assistant Superintendent in assisting Learning Support teachers to use planned course materials as adopted by the District.
- Conduct staff meetings as necessary in order that staff members may be kept informed and that continuity may be maintained within the K-12 educational program.
- Interpret the K-12 special education program to the community and to enlist the participation of the community in school life.
- Develop and implement parent conferences for special education students.
- Maintain an awareness of those factors outside the school system which directly or indirectly affect the K-12 special education program.
- Assist in the development of crisis plans to include Safe Crisis Management techniques.
- Maintain a working relationship with advocacy groups.
- Develop the special education plan for state and school Board approval.
- Coordinate yearly planning and development of student Individualized Education Programs (IEP).
- Attend and participate in special education meetings as the Local Education Agency (LEA).
- Facilitate all Special Education Strategic Planning requirements.
- Oversee the implementation of online IEP programs.
- Manage formal parental complaints such as mediation, resolution meetings, and due process hearings.
- Develop and coordinate enrollment into School Based ACCESS Program and facilitates implementation.
- Coordinates special education and program development with LEAs serving resident special education students.
- Monitors students' academic progress, transition, and graduation credits.
- Evaluate and improve gifted education programs.
- Ensure compliance with legal requirements governing gifted education.
- Maintain all documents pertaining to gifted education.
- Monitor the completion of Gifted Written Reports (GWR), Gifted Individualized Education Plans (GIEP) and Notice of Recommended Assignment (NORA)
- Coordinate the PDE compliance monitoring process.
- Maintains student tracking information required by the state.
- Assist the school psychologist in determining eligibility requirements for gifted services.
- Maintain caseloads for all gifted education teachers.
- Ensure development and maintenance of 504 Compliance records including permissions, evaluations, and plans.
- Participate in 504 meetings as necessary.
- Oversee the process of ensuring all staff with a right to know accommodation including nurses, school counselors and teachers.
- Comply with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
- Recommend school policies necessary to effectively comply with the McKinney-Vento Act.
- Coordinate the PDE compliance monitoring process.
- Assist and establish Homeless awareness activities.
- Ensure Title 1 funds are utilized for students experiencing homelessness.
- Coordinate services including transportation with other school districts and homeless shelters.
- Develop and maintain complete records of homeless children.
- Service as the District’s Foster Care Point of Contact and completes Best Interest Determinations (BID) forms as required
- Formulate MOUs pertaining to transporting students recently places in Foster Care.
- Serves as the supervisor of the ELL program
- Cooperate with the Superintendent in maintaining an effective Administrative Management Team concept.
- Effect an attitude of loyalty and cooperation toward all members of the Administrative Management Team and all members of the Board.
- Possess a willingness to delegate responsibility and to accept accountability for decisions made by those so delegated.
- Provide whatever time is required and necessary to fulfill the professional responsibilities of this position.
- Contributes to the development of the total District philosophy of education.
- Fosters good interpersonal relationships among students, staff and parents.
- Recognizes accomplishments and achievement of students and staff.
- Exercises decisive leadership in crisis situations.
- Works effectively with student, staff and parent organizations
- Shows initiative, foresight, execution, and follow-through.
- Gives input to decisions made by the administrative team.
- Serves on district/county-wide committee.
- Sitting and/or standing for extended periods.
- Moderate lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Some carrying – up to 50 pounds.
- Manual dexterity to use office equipment
- Repetitive movement of fingers and hands for keyboarding.
- Visual acuity to read correspondence and digital screen.
- Auditory acuity to be able to hear students speak across a classroom.
- Clear and articulate speech for effective communication.
- Generally, classroom or office setting.
- Strong teamwork and leadership skills.
- Ability to remain composed under stress.
- Commitment to confidentiality and professionalism.
- Ability to follow written and verbal directions, organize work, and maintain priorities.
- Strong decision-making and problem solving skills.
- Ability to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision. Ability to read, write and do complex computations.
- Ability to use correct grammar, sentence structure and spelling. Ability to compose clear, concise sentences and paragraphs.
- Ability to exercise good judgment in prioritizing tasks.
JobID: 588
Position Type:
Administration/Director
Administration/Director
Date Posted:
3/28/2025
3/28/2025
Location:
Penns Valley Elementary/Intermediate
Penns Valley Elementary/Intermediate
Closing Date:
04/25/2025 at 12 pm
04/25/2025 at 12 pm
Position: Director of Student Support Services 2025-2026 School year
Personnel Category: Administrative
Immediate Supervisor: Superintendent
Building Assignment: All Buildings
Qualifications:
A master’s degree in educational administration or a related field is preferred along with demonstrated successful leadership experience, valid PA certificate in Special Education, Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, or Supervisor of Special Education Certificate required. Five years of experience as a special education classroom teacher is preferred as well as experience in utilizing research based interventions. Knowledge of special education law, familiarity with current trends and procedures in Chapters 14, 15, and 16 is necessary.
Supervisory Responsibilities: The Director of Student Support shares responsibility with the building principals in supervising and observing all professional and support staff working in special education, including the Supervisor of School Psychology and the School Psychologist. The role provides direct input on employment-related decisions and oversees itinerant/related services and subcontractors such as Speech/Language, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Vision and Hearing, etc..
Job Summary: The Director of Student Support Services is responsible for overseeing and leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services designed to support the academic, emotional, social, and behavioral needs of students within the district. This leadership role ensures the effective delivery of services, including special education, counseling, mental health support, crisis intervention, and other student-centered initiatives to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.
Major Duties & Responsibilities: Would include, but not necessarily be limited to the following:
Special Education:
Physical Demands
Specific Skills
Proficiency in classroom technology and office software.
Valid PA driver’s license and the ability to travel as needed.
The position specifications described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.
Adopted: 06/16/1997 Revised: 04/18/2012
Revised: 08/28/2019
Revised: 03/26/2025
