[Hiring] Director of Student Services @Connections Academy

Role Description

Working from your home office in Florida, the Director of Student Services will provide leadership and oversight for the school’s comprehensive student services programs, including:

• Exceptional Student Education (ESE/IEP)
• Section 504
• English Language Learner (ELL) services
• Gifted Education
• Mental Health services

The Director will ensure that programs and services are effectively implemented to meet the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and individualized needs of students.

The Director will also provide leadership and guidance to staff to support consistent implementation of student services and ensure students receive appropriate and timely support.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for the school’s comprehensive Student Services programs.
• Monitor program implementation, compliance requirements, processes, and timelines.
• Interpret and communicate regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices related to ESE, Section 504, ELL, Gifted Education, and Mental Health services.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve standardized processes, procedures, forms, protocols, and documentation systems.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with the school’s authorizer, management company, and other external partners.
• Oversee procedures related to student identification, referral, evaluation, eligibility, placement, service delivery, progress monitoring, reevaluation, transition, and dismissal.
• Ensure appropriate systems are maintained for documentation, collection, storage, monitoring, and reporting of Student Services data and records.
• Oversee and participate in student-focused meetings, including IEP, Section 504, ELL, Gifted, problem-solving, and other Student Services meetings.
• Coordinate the delivery of 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.
• Collaborate with school leadership, teachers, counselors, interventionists, and other staff regarding programming and supports for students.
• Partner with parents and guardians to address questions, facilitate communication, resolve concerns, and ensure students receive appropriate services.
• Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of Florida Connections Academy’s curriculum, instructional model, technology platforms, and available resources.
• Identify and implement innovative strategies for supporting students in a virtual school environment.
• Plan and facilitate professional learning and staff training related to Student Services programs.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable federal and state legislation, regulations, research, methodologies, and best practices.
• Collaborate with school leadership and testing personnel to ensure appropriate accommodations and supports are accurately identified and implemented.
• Serve as a site testing administrator, as assigned, and support the planning, coordination, and implementation of state and school-based testing.
• Monitor Student Services data and program outcomes to identify trends and opportunities to strengthen services.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the School Leader.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Florida Professional Certificate in Exceptional Student Education K-12 required.
• Reading endorsement preferred.
• ESOL endorsement required.
• Three years of successful professional practice or experience in special education.
• Expertise in special education law and compliance.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Customer focused approach.
• High degree of flexibility.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast paced environment.
• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office and Google Suite products).
• Experience in policy (IDEA) and/or administration with Special Education.
• Travel and attendance at in-person events, including State Testing is required throughout the school year.
• Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families.
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication.