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Job Description
Assistant Director of Student Services
Exeter SAU 16
Cooperative Middle School - Stratham, New Hampshire Job Details
Job ID:
5795665
Application Deadline:
Posted until filled
Posted:
Yesterday
Job Description
Are you a passionate educational leader dedicated to championing inclusive practices and supporting the unique developmental needs of young adolescents? Exeter Region Cooperative Middle School is seeking an inspiring, collaborative, and student-centered Assistant Director of Student Services to join our dynamic leadership team. In this impactful role, you will help lead the day-to-day management of special education programs for grades 68, fostering strong partnerships between families, educators, and service providers to ensure every student thrives. You will have the unique opportunity to drive multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), elevate Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), empower and develop our dedicated paraprofessional staff, and create seamless, supportive transition pathways for students navigating the critical middle school years. If you hold a valid Special Education Administrator certification (or eligibility) and are ready to shape an environment where equity, compliance, and inclusive excellence go hand-in-hand, we invite you to bring your leadership and vision to our supportive school community!
Essential Functions
IEP Implementation, Compliance, and Program Operations
Assist in overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of IEPs for students in grades 6-8.
Oversee the implementation and monitoring of IEP services to ensure fidelity, effectiveness, and alignment with student needs.
Monitor compliance with special education timelines, evaluations, progress reporting, and documentation requirements.
Serve as the administrative designee at IEP and eligibility meetings, as assigned.
Complete building-level staff assignments and support scheduling to ensure appropriate service delivery.
Support the coordination of related services, including speech/language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and Student Support Center services.
Maintain accurate records and assist with data analysis and reporting for state and federal accountability.
PLC, MTSS, and Instructional Support
Participate in and support Professional Learning Community (PLC) work by helping teams use student data, IEP goals, progress monitoring, and intervention results to plan responsive instruction and services.
Provide consultation and support to school-based teams regarding interventions, accommodations, modifications, specially designed instruction, behavior supports, and service delivery options.
Collaborate with building administrators and school leaders to strengthen inclusive practices, classroom-based interventions, and co-planning between general and special education staff.
Support implementation of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), including Tier 1 classroom supports, Tier 2 targeted interventions, and Tier 3 intensive supports.
Assist with the development, implementation, and monitoring of 6-week intensive support plans connected to MTSS and student support team recommendations.
Attend building-level and district-level meetings, including SAT, Behavioral Health Team, Building Learning Team, grade-level team meetings, and PLC meetings, as assigned.
Middle School Transitions and Student Pathways
Coordinate and strengthen transition planning for students entering middle school, moving between grade levels and teams, and transitioning from grade 8 to high school.
Collaborate with sending and receiving teams to ensure timely sharing of IEP information, accommodations, service needs, behavior plans, assistive technology, and family input.
Participate in out-of-district placement reviews, re-entry planning, and transition planning for students returning to or exiting Exeter Region Cooperative Middle School programs.
Support student-centered scheduling, team placement, service planning, and communication practices that promote continuity of support during transitions.
Supervision, Coaching, and Paraprofessional Development
Supervise, evaluate, and support assigned special education staff, including special education teachers, related service providers, and paraprofessionals.
Assist with interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and assignment of special education staff and paraprofessionals.
Plan, coordinate, and deliver paraprofessional professional development focused on IEP implementation, confidentiality, student independence, accommodations, data collection, behavior support, de-escalation, inclusion, and effective communication with supervising teachers.
Provide ongoing coaching and feedback to paraprofessionals to strengthen consistency, professionalism, and fidelity of student support across classrooms and programs.
Contribute to professional development planning and delivery for district and building staff.
Medicaid Billing and Documentation Support
Support Medicaid billing processes by reinforcing timely, accurate service documentation aligned with IEP services, district procedures, and applicable compliance expectations.
Collaborate with the Director of Student Services, district Medicaid coordinator, business office, and related service providers to support staff understanding of Medicaid documentation requirements.
Monitor completion of service logs and related documentation, as assigned, and follow up with staff to address missing, incomplete, or inconsistent records.
Assist with training and troubleshooting for staff responsible for documenting billable services.
Family, Staff, and Program Collaboration
Support conflict resolution with families and staff to promote positive collaboration and timely problem solving.
Collaborate with school leaders to support inclusive practices and classroom-based interventions.
Communicate proactively with families, staff, administrators, and service providers regarding student needs, programming, and compliance-related issues.
Support the implementation and monitoring of assigned middle school programs and services.
Programs and Services Supported as
Assigned:
Student Support Centers
Global Skills Services
Emotional Behavioral Program
Related services, including speech/language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and other specialized services
Inclusive classroom supports, co-teaching partnerships, resource services, and other special education service models
Note:
The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.
Equipment
Use standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copier and fax machines, and telephone.
Travel Requirements
Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.
Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
Work in standard office and school building environments.
Note:
Also see the Summary of Physical, Sensory and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Job Duties for this position.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiates instruction based upon student learning styles and behavioral management methods.
Knowledge of best practices in administration, program evaluation and staff supervision.
Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
Knowledge of principles in psychology, social work and guidance.
Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding special education, students, and staff, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, IDEA, and FERPA.
Ability to use computer network system and software applications as needed.
Ability to organize and coordinate work.
Ability to develop and implement projects.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.
Ability to organize multiple tasks and conflicting time constraints.
Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to leadership, performance and professional growth.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.
Qualifications Profile
Master's degree or higher in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
Valid certification as a Special Education Administrator or eligibility to obtain certification.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in special education preferred; leadership, administrative, and middle school experience preferred.
Strong knowledge of special education law, IEP compliance, inclusive education, MTSS, and best practices for adolescent learners.
Experience facilitating PLCs or data-team meetings to support student-centered instructional and intervention planning.
Experience supervising, coaching, and developing paraprofessionals and special education staff.
Working knowledge of Medicaid documentation and billing expectations for school-based services preferred.
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with families, general educators, special educators, related service providers, administrators, and community partners.