Position Summary:

The Director of Student Services is a district-level leader responsible for ensuring that all students receive the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and specialized supports necessary to succeed. This role serves as a vital connection between district leadership, schools, families, and community partners, providing oversight and guidance for programs that support diverse student needs across Bering Strait School District. Working within a collaborative and culturally responsive model, you will lead the implementation of student support services, ensure compliance with federal and state requirements, coordinate special education and related programs, support Section 504 services, strengthen intervention systems, and provide guidance to principals and staff in addressing complex student needs. The Director of Student Services serves as a primary district resource for promoting equitable access, removing barriers to learning, and ensuring that every student is supported academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master’s degree or higher in Special Education, School Psychology, or related field.

2. Alaska Type “A” teaching certificate with a Special Education or related field endorsements, or Type “C” with school psychology, or related area endorsement.

3. Alaska Type “B” Administrative Certificate required.

4. Minimum of five years of demonstrated successful experience in teaching Special Education or related field.

5. Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.

6. Experience and comfort with using Google Workspace, online databases, and commonly used workplace software packages such as MS Word, Excel and Adobe Acrobat.

7. Experience with distance learning tools and/or video conferencing equipment.

8. Able to safely, regularly lift and/or move up to twenty (20) pounds.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Define and interpret the professional functions of Student Support Services personnel to administrators, principals, teachers, students, parents, and the public.

2. Direct all educational and support programs administered by the Student Support Services department and assure that these programs comply with federal/state laws and regulations.

3. Recruit, hire, assign, and retain personnel to meet special education and counseling programming needs.

4. Plan and direct ongoing staff development activities for Student Support Services staff consistent with the district's stated Mission and Strategic Plan and the identified needs of the Student Support Services department.

5. Direct and support the professional guidance, supervision, development, and evaluation of building level and districtwide Student Support Services personnel.

6. Assure the efficient utilization of district resources and the maintenance of a continuum of placements through a combination of local and regional service delivery options.

7. Assure individual students with special needs placement in those educational options best suited to their individual needs.

8. Establish effective liaison with the various offices and agencies within the region and state that provide specialized or professional help to students and their parents, and serve as the referral agent to these offices and agencies.

9. Establish effective working relationships with other institutions in the community, region, and state that may be useful to teachers, parents, or students.

10. Prepare and administer the budget for student support services, including the Title VI B grant, and gifted and talented programs.

11. Coordinate all department activities with other directors in the district instructional team.

12. Coordinate activities and services and act as a professional resource to the Department of Education and Early Development

13. Ensure Special Education and 504 Program Compliance

14. Effectively evaluate program Coordinator, Counselors, and Related Service Providers, as well as certified Special Education teachers and staff as needed. Development Memorandums of Agreement for contracted personnel.

15. Perform other duties as assigned, including site visits as needed. 

REPORTS TO: Assistant Superintendent

LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT:  245 days

LOCATION:  Bering Strait School District, Unalakleet, Alaska