Director for Student Support Services

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

About The Position

The Director for Student Support Services provides strategic leadership for district-wide student support systems, including special education alignment, behavior systems, and Multi-Tiered System Supports (MTSS) for behavior. This role ensures the effective implementation of coherent, equitable, and legally compliant systems that support positive student outcomes. The Director develops leadership capacity at district and across schools, aligns resources and practices to district priorities, and fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and other key duties that may be required. The description may not include all functions performed by the incumbents in various locations. The District reserves the right to modify or change the duties or the essential functions of this job at any time. Reports consistently for work as scheduled Performs other duties as assigned Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards

Requirements

Bachelor's (Baccalaureate) degree (e.g., B.A., A.B., B.S.)
Master's degree (e.g., M.A., M.S., M.Eng, M.Ed, M.S.W., M.B.A., M.L.S.)
Principal License: Initial - Colorado Department of Education
3-5 Years Administrative Experience in a School or District Level Position
Ability to adapt to changing technologies and to learn functionality of new equipment and systems
Ability to align student support systems with instructional practices
Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in various software systems
Ability to develop and lead monitoring systems that ensure accountability and continuous improvement
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, administrators, departments, other agencies, and the general public
Ability to establish clear expectations and ensure coherence across schools
Ability to follow oral and written instructions
Ability to greet public in a courteous and professional manner
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities
Commitment to the education of students as a primary responsibility
Demonstrates citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness
Detail-oriented
Energetic, creative, innovative, flexible
Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills
Experience in leadership roles, professional learning, program development, and evaluation
Knowledge of and experience with Special Education laws, compliance indicators, IEP monitoring and auditing processes, policies, procedures, programming, and best practices
Knowledge of and experience with the use of technology, especially as it improves teaching and learning
Knowledge of curriculum, supervision, instruction, school-based processes and operations, culture, and community along with a strong student focus on individualizing for special needs
Knowledge of research-based and inclusive practices for diverse learners
Proven experience in dealing with challenging situations
Proven experience in making improvements to programs and processes
Proven successful supervisory experience
Strong data literacy, including the ability to analyze, interpret, and apply data to decision-making
Strong knowledge of Colorado Academic Standards
Strong understanding of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and behavior frameworks
Understanding of behavior systems, intervention design, and progress monitoring

Nice To Haves

Administrator License: Initial: Special Education Director - Colorado Department of Education
3-5 Years Classroom Teaching Experience
3-5 Years Special Education Experience
Meets eligibility requirements and has applied for licensure at least one month prior to the start date for the position.

Responsibilities

Aligns staffing, time, and resources to support implementation of district priorities
Assists in the recruitment, selection, and development of Learning Services staff, including Special Education staff
Builds internal capacity through coaching, modeling, and development of teacher and leader expertise
Collaborates with district Behavior Threat Assessment Management team
Collaborates with the Executive Director for Learning Services and Executive Director for Special Education to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, policies, and procedures
Designs and implements a comprehensive professional learning system aligned to behavior, MTSS, and student support priorities
Develops and implements a comprehensive K–12 behavior framework ensuring consistency, coherence, and effectiveness across schools
Differentiates coaching and professional learning based on school and staff needs
Ensures alignment of behavior systems with special education services and general education practices
Ensures effective use of technology to support systems and processes
Ensures staff are trained and supported in safe and effective practices
Establishes and leads district-wide systems for monitoring implementation, analyzing data, and ensuring accountability for fidelity and effectiveness
Establishes clear expectations and success criteria for system-wide implementation
Facilitates regular data review cycles with school and district leaders to inform decision-making and continuous improvement
Fosters strong communication and collaboration with families, community partners, and stakeholders
Leads and coordinates district behavior systems, including the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for behavior
Leads and facilitates teams, committees, and district initiatives
Leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of student support systems aligned to district priorities
Leads the District Behavior Team
Leads the identification and implementation of research-based and inclusive practices
Monitors assigned budget areas and ensures effective use of resources
Monitors outcomes and ensures alignment with district expectations, policies, and legal requirements
Monitors worker’s compensation claims related to student incidents and collaborates to reduce risk
Oversees behavior, safety, and crisis response systems, including training, implementation, monitoring, and accountability
Oversees systems for universal, targeted, and intensive behavior supports, including identification, intervention, and progress monitoring
Participates in district, community, and board meetings as appropriate
Partners with district and school leaders to ensure effective programming and services for students
Partners with district departments, schools, and community agencies to support student outcomes
Promotes a positive, respectful, and service-oriented culture that supports the well-being of students and staff
Provides clear, consistent communication regarding expectations, progress, and outcomes
Provides coaching and support to district and school leaders to build leadership capacity and effectiveness
Provides regular updates and reports to the Assistant Superintendent for Learning Services
Supervises and evaluates administrators, licensed, and classified staff
Supports schools in developing and implementing intensive and individualized behavior strategies
Supports schools in responding to student-related incidents and ensuring proper documentation