Director of Student Support Services

The Director of Student Support Services will provide leadership support to the Related Service Providers, Behavior Support Staff and Education Coordinators under the direction of the SVP of Education Services. The Director will be responsible for developing service assignments for schools and strategic plans geared towards the improvement of student outcomes and high-quality instruction.  

Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities of Position:

• Manage all aspects of Related Services which includes interviewing, training and overseeing staff to maintain high standards of work quality, productivity and effectiveness, while also focusing on staff retention. 
• Lead and oversee the services provided by related service providers, including (but not limited to): 
  • Speech/Language Pathologists 
  • Occupational Therapists 
  • Physical Therapists 
  • Education Coordinators 
  • Behavior Support Staff (including School Psychologists, BCBA, etc.) 
  • Music Therapists 

• Develop proposal for provision of related services in community organizations and guidance to Early Childhood Department for implementation of these services in the Education department. 

• Establishing and managing partnerships with universities/colleges for graduate student placements for speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. This includes agreements with HeartShare, external agencies and other organizations.  

• Provide professional development and guidance through yearly professional development plan for related services staff that is specific to each discipline in the areas of comprehensive related services and that are aligned with NYC standards-based curriculum and system-wide initiatives. Typically includes 54 professional development activities. In addition, plan and lead contractual full-day professional development and Professional Learning Committee meetings.  

• Complete oversight of employee performance management and administrative functions:  

• Daily attendance approvals, LOA in conjunction with HR. 

• Discipline and dismissal recommendations to the VP of Education.  

• Complete performance evaluation observations and other evaluations per guidelines. 

• Manage contractors, including timesheets and service agreements.  

• Collaborate across various functions: 

  • Families as partners in planning and problem solving 

  • Human Resources  

  • Fiscal 

  • Community-Based Organizations 

  • Directors and Education Coordinators, Teachers, Support Service Providers, and Related Service Providers 

• Develop and enforce company policies and procedures related to service delivery, ensuring they meet legal and industry requirements. 

• Implement and monitor quality control processes to ensure services meet established standards and address any non-compliance issues promptly. 

• Maintain accurate records of service activities, including service reports, and compliance documentation, ensuring they are readily accessible for audits. 

• Monitor performance by regularly reviewing and analyzing service performance metrics to ensure compliance with established standards and regulatory requirements. 

• Implement and monitor quality assurance practices to ensure that services and educational practices meet established standards and comply with legal requirements. 

• Verify that reports are consistent with IEP objectives and include detailed, objective data on the student's performance. Confirm that all necessary sections are completed, and that the information presented is clear, accurate, and aligned with assessment criteria. 

• Provide feedback to staff on report content and format, guiding improvements to enhance clarity and compliance where necessary. 

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with the scope, responsibilities, and level of the position, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a related services field or special educationrequired
• Certification in Special Education or related field required
• 5 years' experience providing services in special education or related field
• Minimum 3 years’ experience providing leadership and supervision in special education or related field
• Demonstrated knowledge of special education regulations and best practice
• Experience in special education administration and supervision
• Certification in Supervision or Administration