Director of Student Services

Ipswich Public School District•Ipswich, MA

18h

About The Position

Provide district-wide leadership to develop, achieve, and maintain the best possible educational programs for students with disabilities aged three (3) to twenty-two (22) years. Supervise and coordinate special education services, related service providers, contracted services, special education transportation, and guidance/counseling. Plan and supervise the development of program curricula, making recommendations to the Superintendent. Ensure enrolled students receive appropriate special education, guidance/counseling, and school health services, initiating intervention strategies and performance monitoring as necessary. Establish and revise procedures for the identification, educational placement, and IEP or Section 504 Accommodation Plan development for eligible students. Ensure compliance with federal and state special education laws and regulations, managing legal matters within departmental purview. Supervise integrated preschool and oversee the placement of Out of District students. Collaborate with principals on the supervision and evaluation of special education and guidance personnel. Evaluate Program Managers, BCBAs, Speech and Language Pathologists, School Psychologists, and Registered Behavior Technicians. Apply for and administer all competitive and entitlement grants attached to the Special Education Department. Develop and manage department budgets and application grants. Maintain special education student records as required by regulations. Assume responsibilities for the Special Education portion of the Coordinated Program Review/Tiered Focused Monitoring. Coordinate and serve as a liaison with state and area social service agencies, courts, clinical personnel, and hospitals. Communicate with parents, community groups, and agencies, supporting and collaborating with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council. Act as the 504 Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator, Civil Rights Officer, DCF and McKinney-Vento Point of Contact. Coordinate home-hospital tutoring. Plan and execute professional development for professional and paraprofessional staff targeting student and staff needs. Represent the district at the Northshore Education Consortium Special Education Directors group. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

Requirements

Massachusetts DESE license as a Director of Special Education Administrator.
Master's Degree in an appropriate field.
Minimum of 5 years of related experience in leadership roles within Special Education.
Working knowledge of state and federal laws and requirements for Special Education and other Student Services.
Proven ability and knowledge relating to the preparation and amendment of grant proposals.
Success in cohesively and effectively working with parent/guardian and community-based groups.
Ability to work effectively and successfully with district leadership.
Strong communication skills, both written and orally, utilizing sensitivity and tact when working with parents/guardians, external organizations, and school community members.

Responsibilities

Provide district-wide leadership to develop, achieve, and maintain the best possible educational programs for students with disabilities aged three (3) to twenty-two (22) years.
Supervise and coordinate special education services, related service providers, contracted services, special education transportation, and guidance/counseling.
Plan and supervise the development of program curricula, making recommendations to the Superintendent.
Ensure enrolled students receive appropriate special education, guidance/counseling, and school health services, initiating intervention strategies and performance monitoring as necessary.
Establish and revise procedures for the identification, educational placement, and IEP or Section 504 Accommodation Plan development for eligible students.
Ensure compliance with federal and state special education laws and regulations, managing legal matters within departmental purview.
Supervise integrated preschool and oversee the placement of Out of District students.
Collaborate with principals on the supervision and evaluation of special education and guidance personnel.
Evaluate Program Managers, BCBAs, Speech and Language Pathologists, School Psychologists, and Registered Behavior Technicians.
Apply for and administer all competitive and entitlement grants attached to the Special Education Department.
Develop and manage department budgets and application grants.
Maintain special education student records as required by regulations.
Assume responsibilities for the Special Education portion of the Coordinated Program Review/Tiered Focused Monitoring.
Coordinate and serve as a liaison with state and area social service agencies, courts, clinical personnel, and hospitals.
Communicate with parents, community groups, and agencies, supporting and collaborating with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council.
Act as the 504 Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator, Civil Rights Officer, DCF and McKinney-Vento Point of Contact.
Coordinate home-hospital tutoring.
Plan and execute professional development for professional and paraprofessional staff targeting student and staff needs.
Represent the district at the Northshore Education Consortium Special Education Directors group.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.