Director of Student Services

JOB TITLE: Director of Student Support Services

REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools

APPROVED BY: Superintendent of Schools

UPDATED: 3/2025

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

POSITION OBJECTIVE(S):

To ensure that all students on 504 Plans and IEPs have an appropriate, effective and efficient educational program consistent with state and federal law through planning, coordinating, and administering special education and Section 504 services to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Reports to the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning. (Director of T&L)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following (other duties may be assigned.):

• Oversees the special education services of the district in collaboration with the Executive Director of T&L.
• Supports Title VI, Title IX
• Civil Rights Coordinator, 504 Plan Coordinator, Disabilities Coordinator, Act 4500 Reporting
• Responsible for the development, operation and evaluation of all special education programs. Works with principals, special education and regular staff to ensure delivery of appropriate services in the least restrictive environment.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director of T&L and the Director of Finance, prepares and administers all special education budgets and is responsible for the disbursement of special education funds.
• Develops and implements the Local Education Agency Plan for special education, as required by P.L. 94-142.
• Provides implementation and supervision of policies and procedures that maintain the district’s compliance with all state and federal regulations pertaining to special education and 504 plans.
• Consults with principals on Special Education programs and supervision / evaluation.
• Collect data for Child Identification and Child Count activities.
• Collects data for evaluating student progress, program effectiveness and resource utilization.
• Defines and improves the administrative structure of special education services, under general direction from the Executive Director of T&L to clarify staff operations and define job descriptions.
• Assists building administrators in the evaluation and/or suspension of special education personnel in accordance with district standards and procedures. Supervision and evaluation are the shared responsibility of the building administrator in whose building special education staff work and the Director of Student Support Services.
• Is responsible for annual reports or special reports as needed.
• Participates in the central office leadership team.
• Participates in appropriate local, state, and national professional meetings.
• Disseminates information to the public and staff relative to special education services, objectives, and programs.
• Supports the Business Department with grant funding and Medicaid and assists with annual application and evaluation.
• Oversees any contracted service agreement related to special education, with the Business Department or Superintendent approving contracted service agreements.
• Coordinates with the Director of curriculum for curriculum development in special education programs, coordinates special education curricula with the curricula for non-disabled students, and sees that it is delivered in the least restrictive environment.
• Coordinates with the Director of Social Emotional Learning and Wellness (Director of SEL) to oversee programming and staff related to behavior intervention.
• Maintains confidential files of special education students in a locked file cabinet at the WCSU district office. Ensures confidentiality of school based special education files in each building.
• Provides for own professional development through keeping current with literature, new research findings, and improved techniques in specialized areas, and by attending appropriate professional meetings.
• Sits on boards or committees and attends meetings to establish effective liaison with the various offices and agencies within the community and state that may provide specialized or professional help to students and their families, and serves as the referral agent to those offices and agencies when deemed appropriate.
• Performs such other duties or assignments as directed by the Executive Director of T&L
• Works cooperatively with the school district attorneys in regard to matters of due process in special education.
• Coordinates school based special education and Section 504 related services programs.
• Serves as LEA for Special Education team meetings and Section 504 administration when appropriate.
• Supervises, assesses and ensures all aspects of regulatory compliance for special education and Section 504.
• Maintains a direct line of communication to the building Principals in regard to support service issues and concerns.
• Supervises the process of referrals and completion of comprehensive evaluations for special education and Section 504.
• Assists with the coordination and/or implementation of in-service training workshops for regular and special education personnel as it applies to special education.
• Establishes workload and assignments of special education personnel in conjunction with administrators.
• Recruits, screens, and recommends selection of special education personnel in cooperation with Principals and in keeping with the WCSU Hiring Procedures.
• Confers with parents, school counselors, classroom teachers, social workers, administrators, testing specialists, and other professionals as needed to determine program and student needs.
• Upholds a shared vision and mission for special education and student support services, directly linked to current best practices and integrated with the overall supervisory union vision and mission.
• Ensures a continuum of special education services for Pre-K through High School Programs (up to the age of 22 years).
• Responsible for developing service plans, core staff schedules and child count information.
• Responsible for the hiring, supervision and coordinating of training and evaluation of the special education administrative assistant.
• Coordinates appropriate services with other building level administrators for special education eligible students in need of hospitalization and/or homebound tutoring.
• Ensures that IEP appropriate services are available to meet the needs of eligible special education students.
• Plans, conducts, and/or supervises an orientation program for new special education personnel.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Reports directly to the Executive Director of T&L while working independently for the most part, planning and implementing broad programs within the organization. Work is checked primarily through consultation and agreement with others rather than by specific directives from supervisors. Works collaboratively with the Director of Curriculum and Director of SEL under the direction of the Executive Director of T&L.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Directly supervises school psychologists, lead PT/OT/SLP and other program staff as assigned. Oversees summer extended year services and out of district placements. Co-supervises and evaluates special education staff in accordance with the district’s policies and procedures. Addresses complaints and resolves problems in reference to special education faculty and staff.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, in addition to the following:

• Education and Experience. Master’s Degree or higher in Education or other appropriate discipline plus experience in teaching and/or administration of special education, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired. Strong background and ability to lead in the area of Special Education and any other qualifications deemed by the Board and Superintendent as desirable.
• Language Skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex scientific, educational and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or school board members.
• Mathematical Skills. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Computer Skills and Experience: Experience and proficient computer skills in word- processing, spreadsheet, and database programs required. Experience with Microsoft Office preferred.
• Reasoning Ability/Mental Requirements: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to apply those principles of logic and/or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills. Ability to communicate courteously, efficiently and effectively with a variety of individuals, including students, faculty, administrators, parents, and representatives of outside organizations. Ability to work cooperatively, collaboratively and effectively with peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and outside agencies. Ability to effectively handle stressful situations and resolve conflicts.
• Competencies. The individual in this position must possess the following:

• Dependability – being reliable, punctual, responsible and fulfilling obligations
• Self-Control – maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Stress Tolerance – accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Cooperation – being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Concern for Others – being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Attention to Detail – being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Integrity – being honest and ethical.
• Adaptability/Flexibility – being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Independence – guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Social Orientation – preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.