Job Title: Director of Student Support Services
Reports To: Senior Director of Academics and Administration
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
CATEGORY: Regular, Full-Time, 12 months
PAY RANGE: TBD
CAMPUS: Ball Charter Schools (Greater Phoenix Area)
Summary Description:
The Director of Student Support Services provides system-level leadership and direct oversight of Special Education, Section 504, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Child Find, McKinney-Vento, foster care, homebound services, and related student-support programs across all Ball Charter Schools. The Director serves as the organization's primary Special Education administrator and designated public education agency/LEA representative, with direct responsibility for evaluation, eligibility, placement, Individualized Education Program (IEP), and compliance processes. This is a highly hands-on director position. The Director maintains a substantial meeting and document-review caseload, including participation in approximately 8-10 IEP, evaluation, eligibility, reevaluation, transfer, and Section 504 meetings each week. The position requires regular travel among campuses, direct involvement in routine and complex student matters, supervision of assigned staff and contracted providers, and ongoing monitoring of federal and state compliance requirements.
Education, Experience, & Licensure:
- Master's or more advanced degree from an accredited institution. Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or Special Education preferred.
- Standard Arizona Special Education teaching certificate; Arizona administrative certificate preferred.
- Valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
- A minimum of six years working in a K-12 educational setting, including at least three years of experience as a Special Education classroom teacher and three years of experience in a leadership role supporting Special Education services.
- Demonstrated experience serving as an LEA/public education agency representative in IEP, evaluation, eligibility, and placement meetings.
- Demonstrated experience reviewing multidisciplinary evaluation reports, IEPs, prior written notices, and other Special Education documents for legal and procedural compliance.
- Experience managing a high-volume Special Education caseload or compliance system across multiple schools or programs.
- Experience responding to parent complaints, state complaints, independent educational evaluation requests, mediation, due process matters, or similar high-risk compliance issues preferred.
Summary of Qualifications:
Extensive knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, Child Find, evaluation and reevaluation procedures, IEP development, prior written notice, least restrictive environment, discipline protections, and dispute-resolution processes. Strategic and analytical decision-making skills combined with strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and integrity. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, student information systems, Special Education data systems, and web-based applications. Ability to analyze and synthesize data and present complex legal, procedural, and instructional information clearly and concisely. Ability to plan, organize, direct, and monitor the work of subordinate and functionally supervised personnel. Effective leadership, communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and parent-engagement skills are required.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Directs the planning, delivery, assessment, and ongoing improvement of Special Education, Section 504, MTSS, Child Find, McKinney-Vento, foster care, homebound, and related student-support programs across all Ball Charter Schools.
2. Collaborates with school administrators and the Senior Director of Academics and Administration to develop and implement a system-wide vision for Special Education and student-support services.
3. Directs and actively participates in all initial Special Education evaluations and reevaluations across the organization. Reviews referrals and existing data; assists teams in determining appropriate evaluation components; coordinates multidisciplinary evaluation activities; monitors procedural timelines; reviews evaluation reports for completeness, accuracy, and legal sufficiency; and participates in eligibility, placement, and service determinations.
4. Serves as the designated public education agency/LEA representative at IEP, MET, evaluation, reevaluation, eligibility, placement, transfer, manifestation determination, and other Special Education meetings. Exercises authority to commit organizational resources and provides guidance regarding services, staffing, placement, least restrictive environment, procedural compliance, and implementation.
5. Maintains an ongoing, high-volume meeting caseload across multiple campuses, generally attending 8-10 IEP, evaluation, eligibility, reevaluation, transfer, and Section 504 meetings each week. Attends all initial evaluation and reevaluation meetings and other meetings requiring system-level representation or decision-making authority.
6. Reviews IEPs, evaluation reports, prior written notices, eligibility documentation, consent documents, behavior plans, service records, and other Special Education records for substantive and procedural compliance. Provides corrections, guidance, and technical assistance to staff prior to document finalization.
7. Performs duties as the Section 504 Coordinator for Ball Charter Schools, including overseeing referrals, evaluations, eligibility determinations, plan development, implementation, periodic review, procedural safeguards, and dispute resolution.
8. Develops, maintains, and monitors organization-wide systems for tracking annual IEPs, initial evaluations, reevaluations, progress reporting, service delivery, parent consent, transfer students, prior written notice, Child Find obligations, and other state and federal procedural timelines. Identifies noncompliance, directs corrective action, and verifies timely completion.
9. Monitors federal and state laws, rules, regulations, guidance, and best practices relating to Special Education, Section 504, and assigned student-support programs. Communicates changes to stakeholders and develops or revises written policies, procedures, manuals, forms, and guidance to ensure organizational compliance.
10. Provides oversight of the organization's MTSS and Child Find systems and supports campus teams in identifying, intervening with, and referring students who may require evaluation for Special Education or Section 504 eligibility. Ensures intervention processes are not used to delay or deny required evaluations.
11. Directly supervises assigned student-support personnel, including the Speech-Language Pathologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Student Support Coordinator. Provides functional supervision, direction, consultation, training, and accountability to approximately nine Special Education teachers, as well as paraprofessionals, related-service providers, evaluators, and contracted personnel across all campuses.
12. Supports principals in interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, supervising, and evaluating personnel who provide Special Education and student-support services.
13. Provides oversight of restraint and seclusion compliance, with the BCBA responsible for day-to-day implementation, staff training, incident review, documentation, data monitoring, and recommendations for corrective action.
14. Assists principals, teachers, and student-support staff with complex student learning, behavioral, placement, service-delivery, and implementation concerns.
15. Plans and provides professional development, coaching, and technical assistance for administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, and related-service personnel regarding Special Education, Section 504, Child Find, IEP implementation, evaluation procedures, behavior supports, and assigned compliance areas.
16. Leads the organization's response to parent complaints, state complaints, independent educational evaluation requests, mediation, due process proceedings, compliance investigations, records disputes, and other legally sensitive matters involving Special Education or Section 504. Coordinates with legal counsel, administration, families, and school staff as appropriate.
17. Oversees discipline procedures involving students with disabilities, including manifestation determination reviews, interim alternative educational settings, procedural safeguards, and coordination with campus administrators.
18. Determines related-service and specialized staffing needs; solicits and evaluates proposals; recommends and manages contracts; coordinates provider assignments; and monitors contracted providers for service delivery, documentation, compliance, and effectiveness.
19. In collaboration with the Finance Manager, prepares applications, reports, and documents for submission to local, state, and federal agencies for assigned programs.
20. Collaborates with the Finance Manager and principals to administer the Board-approved budget for assigned areas of responsibility, including requesting or approving purchases and ensuring program resources are equitably allocated.
21. Coordinates services with local and state agencies, public and private organizations, legal counsel, health and welfare agencies, and community service providers.
22. Pursues new funding opportunities, as applicable; assists with grant or foundation applications; implements funded proposals; and complies with reporting requirements.
23. Serves as or oversees the organization's McKinney-Vento liaison responsibilities, including student identification, immediate enrollment, transportation and service coordination, dispute resolution, staff training, records, data verification, and required reporting.
24. Coordinates educational access and required supports for students in foster care, including best-interest determinations, transportation coordination, records transfer, and collaboration with child welfare agencies and school personnel.
25. Coordinates homebound instruction and related educational services for qualifying students with chronic or acute medical needs, including eligibility review, service planning, provider coordination, progress monitoring, and reintegration planning.
26. Oversees transfer-student procedures, comparable services, records review, and timely adoption, amendment, or development of IEPs and Section 504 plans.
27. Oversees compliance related to Special Education records, confidentiality, FERPA, records requests, document retention, and access to disability-related information.
28. Monitors Special Education and assigned program data within student information and state reporting systems to support accurate reporting, funding, compliance, and program planning.
29. Coordinates and monitors extended school year services, compensatory education, service recovery, and corrective action when required.
30. Reports suspected child abuse and/or neglect to civil authorities as required by law.
31. Pursues individual professional growth and development opportunities and remains current with compliance regulations, legal developments, research findings, and approved practices.
32. Performs other related duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope and level of the position.
Physical Demands:
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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and noise level is usually moderate but sometimes loud. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and extreme heat.
Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
