Director of Student Services - Florida Connections Academy

Connections Academy•Temple Terrace, FL

5d•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Student Services provides leadership and oversight for Florida Connections Academy’s comprehensive student services programs, including Exceptional Student Education (ESE/IEP), Section 504, English Language Learner (ELL) services, Gifted Education, and Mental Health services. The role ensures that programs are effectively implemented to meet students’ academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and individualized needs, and that services comply with applicable district, state, and federal requirements. Working from a home office in Florida, the Director guides staff in consistently delivering timely and appropriate student support; oversees compliance, documentation, data collection, and reporting; and coordinates services with school-based staff, contracted providers, districts, and other qualified agencies. The Director collaborates with school leaders, educators, families, the school’s authorizer, management company, and external partners. The position also supports assessment planning and implementation, including serving as a site testing administrator as assigned. Travel and attendance at in-person events, including state testing, are required during the school year and may involve overnight travel.

Requirements

Florida Professional Certificate in Exceptional Student Education K-12.
ESOL endorsement.
Three years of successful professional practice or experience in special education.
Expertise in special education law and compliance.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Customer-focused approach.
High degree of flexibility.
Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment.
Technological proficiency, especially with Microsoft Office and Google Suite products.
Ability to travel and attend in-person events, including state testing, throughout the school year; travel may require overnight stays.
Ability to work occasional evening hours as needed to support families.
Ability to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Reading endorsement.
Experience in policy (IDEA) and/or administration with Special Education.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and oversight for ESE/IEP, Section 504, ELL, Gifted Education, and Mental Health programs.
Monitor program implementation, compliance requirements, processes, and timelines to ensure alignment with federal, state, district, and school requirements.
Interpret and communicate relevant regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices to school leadership, teachers, staff, students, and families.
Develop, implement, and continually improve standardized processes, procedures, forms, protocols, and documentation systems for Student Services programs.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with the school’s authorizer, management company, and external partners.
Oversee student identification, referral, evaluation, eligibility, placement, service delivery, progress monitoring, reevaluation, transition, and dismissal procedures, as applicable.
Maintain systems for accurate and timely documentation, collection, storage, monitoring, and reporting of Student Services data and records, in accordance with compliance and confidentiality requirements.
Oversee and participate in IEP, Section 504, ELL, Gifted, problem-solving, and other student-focused meetings, as appropriate.
Coordinate required student services through school-based staff, contracted providers, school districts, and other qualified agencies.
Oversee the development, documentation, communication, and implementation of student accommodations, modifications, services, and supports in virtual learning and during assessments.
Collaborate with school leadership, teachers, counselors, interventionists, and other staff on programming and support for students’ academic, behavioral, social-emotional, language, and accessibility needs.
Partner with parents and guardians to respond to questions, facilitate communication, resolve concerns, and ensure appropriate services and support.
Develop working knowledge of the school’s curriculum, instructional model, technology platforms, and resources to support individualized services in a virtual environment.
Identify and implement strategies for supporting students receiving ESE, Section 504, ELL, Gifted, and Mental Health services in a virtual school environment.
Plan and facilitate professional learning and staff training on Student Services programs, compliance, instructional practices, accommodations, interventions, and student supports.
Maintain current knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, research, methodologies, and best practices in assigned Student Services areas.
Collaborate with school leadership and testing personnel to ensure assessment accommodations and supports are identified, communicated, and implemented.
Serve as a site testing administrator as assigned and support planning, coordination, and implementation of state and school-based testing.
Monitor Student Services data and program outcomes to identify trends, needs, and opportunities to improve services and student outcomes.
Perform other duties as assigned by the School Leader.