Director of Student Services
: Job Details :

Position Type: AdministrationDate Posted: 12/12/2024Location: Mary Herbert Education CenterDate Available: 07/01/2025Base salary of $109,775 with additional compensation for experience and level of education. Purpose: The Director of Student Services provides professional leadership in organizing, administering, supervising, and evaluating an effective special education program. To accomplish these tasks, the Director of Student Services works closely with the Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative (FHSEC) school districts, community, staff and administration of USD 253 Responsible to: Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Student Services Payment rate: As Established by the Emporia Board of Education General conditions: 12 months, running July 1 to June 30 Qualifications:

Master's degree from an accredited college/university in the area of special education.

Current Kansas State Licensure with district-level endorsement on file in the Central Office.

Three years of successful administration experience in an accredited school preferred.

Health and Inoculation Certificate on file in the Central Office.

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Essential Functions:

Develop effective communication channels with all cooperative school districts, by being accessible to all districts, building relationships with staff, and being responsive to concerns or needs.

Work directly with FHSEC Board of Directors maintaining vision for special education services and communicate current state of special education services throughout the cooperative.

Maintain a working knowledge of the vision, professional development needs, decision making processes and areas of need for each of the school districts within the cooperative.

Serve as an information source and be a distributor of information related to current special education law and compliance requirements.

Communicate frequently and effectively with state and federal agencies regarding special education regulations, and changes.

Develop and maintain a working knowledge of special education budget requirements, such as but not limited to; time and effort, maintenance of effort.

Work with Assistant Superintendent of Business to develop and provide oversight for FHSEC budget.

Provide resources, professional development and mentoring for special education district coordinators (coordinators).

Supervise coordinators and provide oversight to ensure that coordinators' efforts align with the needs of cooperative school districts.

Facilitate planning and efforts of coordinators and member districts to address special education deficiencies as defined by state measures, (i.e., state performance plan, assessments, etc.).

Monitor and educate FHSEC staff members on all matters related to the state performance plan and indicators.

Ensure integration of special education services into the general education structure, including the multi-tier system of supports, for each of the individual cooperative school districts.

Develop and share an extensive knowledge on research based best practices for students identified for special education services, this would include; instructional models, teaching strategies, data analysis techniques, related services, and assessments.

Organize professional development that meets the needs of all FHSEC staff and regular education staff regarding special education issues, and aligns with the needs of the cooperative school districts.

Develop and serve as a clearinghouse of professional development, instructional strategies, and instructional resources that could be access by coordinators, and district personnel.

Work with Director of Human Resources to coordinate and monitor staffing levels throughout the cooperative by working with coordinators.

Coordinate and evaluate related service staff.

Provide oversight of nursing and/or affective service in USD #253

Monitor related services staffing levels to insure timely services.

Train related service providers in IEP development, and compliance measures.

Serve as a resource for Section 504 plans and provide pertinent training.

Develop and monitor grants for the improvement of educational practices throughout the cooperative and district.

Support and train coordinators, school administrators, and counselors on matters related to due process procedures and rights of students qualifying for special education services, (i.e., manifestation hearings, suspension/expulsion).

Serve as hearing person for matters or concerns related to special education services as raised by parents, community and staff.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions:

Requires prolonged sitting or standing.

Occasionally requires physical exertion to manually move, lift, carry, pull, or push heavy objects or materials.

Occasionally requires stooping, bending, and reaching.

Must work indoors and outdoors year-round.

Must work in noisy and crowded environments.

General Responsibilities:

Support and facilitate the mission and vision of the Emporia Public Schools and Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative.

Participate in the ongoing development/revision, implementation, and monitoring/assessment of curriculum as outlined by the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Student Services.

Obtain instructional resources and materials through processes outlined by the Assistant Superintendent of Business.

Collaborate with Director of Human Resources to recruit, evaluate, and retain staff (teachers, coordinators, and paraeducators).

Effectively utilize the expertise of other district professionals and/or outside consultants to support instruction/student achievement.

Supervise/provide for the general welfare of students at school and at school activities; organize/supervise field trips; etc.

Provide for effective programs and processes to support student conduct, attendance and academic progress.

Develop and maintain documentation relative to program requirements.

Organize the school day/year to provide for efficient operation of the cooperative. Appropriately delegate duties for effective utilization of staff while assuming final responsibility for the overall cooperative programs.

Stay abreast of new technologies to facilitate and support student learning, data management, and communication.

Comply with legal and regulatory requirements as provided by state and federal law.

Uphold and enforce board policy, administrative procedures, and school rules/regulations including but not limited to:

Acceptable use of technology

Sexual and racial harassment

Child abuse reporting

Health and safety including all precautions of the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan

Communicate effectively with administrators, parents, staff, and community organizations with regard to student progress/needs.

Interact with students, parents, and staff in a professional manner demonstrating tolerance of individual differences, patience, and sensitivity.

Demonstrate professionalism through appropriate work habits, including regular and punctual attendance; accurate recordkeeping and timely submission of required reports; participate in building/district level committee tasks; contribute to MTSS/IEP activities as necessary or when the situation warrants participation, etc.

Respect the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents, and teachers in accordance with accepted professional ethics, and state and federal laws.

Support the profession by mentoring aspiring teachers, administrators, and other support personnel.

Assure safe and well-organized instructional spaces.

Be prepared to implement the Building Crisis Plan; actively participate in response drills.

Respond to change in a productive manner.

Strive to communicate the positive aspects of our special education program to the public in word and deed.

Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Student Services.