JOB DESCRIPTION: Director of Student Services

Tipton R-VI School District

Summary:

The Director of Student Services is responsible for the leadership, administration, and supervision of the district’s special education program and the daily operational functions of the Special Services unit. This leadership position is responsible for implementing and maintaining birth to age 21 Special Education programs and services in conformance to District, State and Federal objectives; providing written support and/or conveying information; serving as a resource to patrons, school personnel and the Board; maintaining adequate staffing to ensure objectives of program and services are achieved within budget.

The Director shall be an administrator of the District, as assigned by the superintendent. The District has the authority to reassign the Director to any position within the District as determined necessary by the District during the contractual period. The superintendent or designee will directly supervise the Director and assign appropriate job duties.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and work in a collaborative administrative team successfully.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions and regular training and professional development is an essential commitment in this position.

Qualifications:

Education:

Master’s degree or higher in educational administration and/or special education.

Experience:

At least 5 years special education teaching and/or administrative experience.

Certification:

Valid Missouri special education teaching certificate and/or administration certificate.

Technology:

Must have the ability to become proficient and create reports using the District’s student information software.  Basic computer word processing, spreadsheet and research skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

An individual who holds this position is responsible will

1. Maintain Positive Community Relations:  The Director acknowledges that one of the essential job duties of this position is positive communication with the community.  
2. Interpret laws relating to homeless students; and ensure the delivery of mandated services.
3. Assesses  students identified as homeless and makes visits to living areas/shelters to assess the family environment.
4. Collaborates with school staff to develop interventions for students identified as homeless and develops individualized service plans.
5. Implement case management services (including individual counseling); monitor student/family progress and status; and make referrals to other professional staff members or community agencies as needed.
6. Serve as liaison between schools and such agencies/facilities as homeless shelters, social services, court services, and the police department to coordinate assistance for homeless students.
7. Provide families with information related to the needs of their child and acts as a resource to parents/guardians by providing family support activities and communicating available services.
8. Acts as a resource to school-based administrators, guidance counselors, teachers and health services personnel regarding homeless students, interpretation of homeless/school attendance policies and laws, and record-keeping requirements.
9. Conducts training to school staff on school laws as it relates to the homeless student population and recommend strategies for supporting the needs of these students.
10. Maintains necessary records ensuring confidentiality of students and their families and prepare related reports.
11. Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
12. Collaborates with principals and school special education teachers for the purpose of  implementing and maintaining services/or programs.  Sets staffing levels for school special education programs for the purpose of providing services with fiscal efficiency.
13. Direct personnel, for the purpose of delivering services which conform to established guidelines.
14. Develop proposals, new programs, budget and grants for the purpose of meeting District goals.
15. Evaluate District and school Special Education programs and monitors the implementation of special education and compliance with regulations in each location, for the purpose of carrying out and achieving objectives within area of responsibility.
16. Facilitates meetings and processes, for the purpose of implementing and maintaining Special Education programs and services of the District which achieve desired objectives.
17. Implements assigned programs and/or projects for the purpose of conforming to District and State curriculum and/or instructional objectives.
18. Manages fiscal resources from the General Fund and special education grants, prepare budgets and direct spending, and monitor maintenance of effort, for the purpose of fiscal efficiency in providing required services.
19. Prepares documentation and report data to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for the purpose of providing written support, conveying information, and complying with Federal and State regulations.
20. Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate District-level special education staff including speech pathologists.
21. Serves as District representative for IEP meetings.
22. Serves as District Liaison to Tipton R-VI School District and DESE for coordination of Special Education services; and manages special education complaints, for the purpose of providing required services.
23. Coordinates with outside agencies to provide services to students and staff, for the purpose of offering appropriate services.
24. Directs the Medicaid Administrative Claiming process and direct billing of Medicaid-eligible special education services provided by the District, for the purpose of gaining fiscal resources.
25. Supervises the training of special education instruction assistants for the purpose of assuring well-trained personnel.
26. Writes District Board Policy for special education as is needed or required, for the purpose of ensuring program consistency and compliance with State and Federal rules in all location.
27. Maintains a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in the law and case law, and educational methods of educating students with disabilities, for the purpose of managing an excellent special education program.
28. Advises the superintendent regarding special education and other matters.

Supervisory Duties:

Has supervisory responsibility over all special education personnel including the speech pathologist. Attends some after school events associated with their position and some extra-curricular activities.

Physical Demands:

An individual who holds this position must frequently move in and around building grounds to visit classrooms, attend meetings and supervise bus loading and unloading areas and sit for an hour or more at a time.  Individual must be able to hear a conversation in a noisy environment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform functions.

Attendance:

Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position.

Conditions and Environment:

The work environment is consistent with typical office environment; however, the individual who holds this position will occasionally be required to be outside in temperatures below freezing and above 100 degrees.

The individual who holds this position is frequently required to work irregular and extended hours. The work conditions and environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The above list is only meant to be a guide and does not cover all responsibilities or situations that a Director of Student Services may encounter.  The individual in this position will assume all duties as assigned by the Superintendent.