POSITION DESCRIPTION:  Under the general direction of the Superintendent or designee, the Director of Student Support Services, plans, organizes, manages, and directs the student services program to deliver special education, guidance and counseling services, psychological services and health services. The Director monitors special educational services to ensure compliance with District, State, and Federal regulations and plans, organizes, coordinates, and provides leadership in the District master planning activities, and other related functions as directed. Proactively provides positive and effective customer service to students, staff, parents and community.

DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO:  Superintendent and/or designee(s)

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Plans, directs, and supervises all student support services, including special education, guidance and health services.
2. Provides leadership and expertise in identifying, formulating, and implementing the District special education goals and objectives while ensuring compliance with state and federal mandates and guidelines.
3. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of all schools’ referral activities and preschool screenings.
4. Supervises and manages special education student records and mandated reporting.
5. Assists and teams with District and site personnel in the recruitment, selection, and employment of special education personnel.
6. Assists and teams with District and site administrators in the development and implementation of courses of study and materials for special education programs.
7. Provides leadership in initiating and conducting conferences and meetings dealing with the needs and placement of individual special education students.
8. Proactively spends time observing and coaching at school sites.
9. Proactively and systematically meets with site administrators at school sites.
10. Provides assistance and guidance to District and school sites with legal interpretation of special education laws and works directly with the SELPA and legal representatives in preparation of cases for due process hearings, dispute resolutions, mediations, and complaints.
11. Works with and meets with Business Office and Human Resources personnel often in the course of their duties and responsibilities to develop, implement, and monitor department budgets and staffing.
12. Plans, organizes, develops, and conducts a variety of staff development.
13. Represents district in county and district IEP placements.
14. Plans, develops, implements, and coordinates the special education staff performance appraisal planning and evaluation processes in order to ensure successful staff performance.
15. Collaboratively plans with district leadership team members in implementation of an effective instructional delivery system that ensures learning at high levels for all students.
16. Fulfills leadership roles in support of district initiatives such as Advisory Committees, Crisis Team, and PBIS.
17. Serves as the District’s liaison in all matters concerning special education.
18. Oversees the Extended School Year program.
19. Provides positive and effective customer service to students, staff, parents and community.
20. Performs other related duties as self-identified or assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

A visionary and innovative leader with the ability and passion to effectively interact with parent and staff stakeholders.  As the leader of special education, continue to define the vision for special education and the operation procedures that will provide guidelines and processes to apply best educational practice. A person who will implement a vision and procedures in the context of district, state and federal educational initiatives.

A collaborator who brings people together building positive relationships and clear direction with the administration, staff and community.  A person who is a good listener, open and accessible to all, visible in the schools, engaging diverse communities and those with differing opinions.  A leader who can communicate effectively, articulating both the sense of care for special education students and the appropriate program protocols that determine how and what services are provided. 

An ethical leader who models high expectations for self, staff, and students and possesses the personal characteristics of honesty, dependability, loyalty, and strong work ethic.

An experienced public school special educator who possesses proficiency and knowledge when leading instruction, assessment, technology, and professional development.  A person who has the skills to maintain or enhance existing successful programs while discerning innovative programs for implementation.  An educator who understands RtI and PBIS and the relationship of general education to special education.

A hands-on and proactive leader who can monitor such issues as the effective use of instructional assistants and the compliance issues associated with IEPs and other service providing practices.  Confidence, competency and demeanor who can solve litigation issues, due process hearings and parent complaints with fairness and cost consciousness.  A team builder who coaches and delegates responsibilities, building leadership from within, and provides professional development and guidance to all staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Other Requirements: Master's Degree, California Teaching Credential (preferably in special education), Administrative Services Credential, and valid California Driver’s License

Experience: Five years in public education, extensive experience in a special education setting and public education leadership. Knowledge of special education programs, services, and legal requirements. Knowledge of regular education programs, specifically the application of tiered strategies such as Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI²) and Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS).  Excellent written and oral communication skills, and demonstrated ability working collaboratively with students, staff and community in support of student success.

Established 2013, Revised 2020