Director Student Services
Tacoma Public Schools
Expected Start Date: July 1, 2022
FTE: 1.0
Salary Level: $154,788 - $183,840 DOE
Union/Days per year: Exempt 260 days
Benefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.
Additional Information: This vacancy is open until filled with a first consideration date of February 23, 2022.
Please include a letter of interest and a resume with your application.
Requires both a valid WA state teaching certificate (preferably endorsed in Special Education) AND a valid principal or program administrator certificate.
Additional Information: In accordance with Governor Jay Inslee’s announced Proclamation 21-14.1 on August 18, 2021, all K-12 school district employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18, 2021. Candidates who are extended a conditional offer of employment with Tacoma Public Schools will be required to submit proof of vaccination status in compliance with Governor Inslee’s mandate, prior to official hire with the district. Individuals qualifying for a medical and/or religious exemption outlined under the Governor’s directive will be required to provide proof of exemption prior to official hire with the district. Tacoma Public Schools Human Resources will work directly with candidates to finalize proof of compliance with the Governor’s mandate prior to official hire.
Additional Resources and Information:
· Press Release from WA Governor’s Office
· Proclamation by the Governor: COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement (Download PDF reader)
· OSPI Vaccination Requirement FAQ (Download PDF reader)
· Vaccine Mandate FAQs (Download PDF reader)
· DOH Vaccine fact sheet (Download PDF reader)
SUMMARY
This position provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction in creating and nurturing a District climate that is welcoming, inclusive, and respectful for students, staff, families, and community members interacting with the Student Services department; develops programs, policies, and processes that provide support and advocacy for the students within Student Services programming; identifies and assesses program goals and objectives; coordinates and collaborates with internal and external partners; maintains compliance for all Special Education, Section 504, and other required elements including federal and state guidelines and funding.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Provides visionary leadership and direction to ensure development and implementation of department strategies to support the District’s strategic goals; ensures all department levels are supporting the mission, vision, values, and goals with clarity of direction; Determines criteria for measuring support programs, and Student Services’ performance with benchmarking, defining key performance indicators (KPI), and analysis of effectiveness; makes recommendations, monitors variance, implements corrective actions, and provides mechanism for reporting results.
2. Administers effective organizational practices to assure efficient utilization of department personnel, funds, materials, facilities, and time; conducts periodic climate surveys and assessments as required.
3. Maintains a proactive approach for staying current on Federal, State, and District policies and regulations; interprets, applies, and provides information and direction to District staff regarding current best practices, technologies, and trends.
4. Develops long-range and short-term plans and budgets for Student Services; partners with District administrators and staff in District-wide budget initiatives and potential project applications and proposal deadlines; submits, for approval; reviews expenditures.
5. Supervises assigned staff; makes hiring recommendations; appropriately evaluates, commends, and disciplines employees; approves leaves and overtime; assigns and reviews work; provides coaching and mentoring to assigned staff; provides for, and encourages participation in professional development opportunities; promotes a quality customer service environment; ensures staff receives District-wide and department information that will enhance overall quality of program.
6. Monitors the District advisory committee for Special Education Program Services; ensures that all requirements are in place and best practices are being utilized to promote parent involvement both at the school site and District levels.
7. Creates a climate of professional collaboration and sharing best practices by establishing structures that foster shared learning, information, and resource exchange.
8. Partners with internal and external resources and other related departments in order to foster collaboration promoting diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency within the Student Services Department.
OTHER JOB DUTIES
1. Maintains and updates knowledge and skills required for success in the position by participating in professional development as needed or as assigned; maintains knowledge of current laws, rules, regulations, policies and practices regarding the education of students with disabilities and special needs.
2. Manages special projects and performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.
3. Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.
CONDITIONS
Experiences frequent interruptions; occasionally required to deal with and defuse difficult and sensitive situations and/or people; required to travel to District and other sites within and outside the community; required to attend occasional evening meetings; required to work extended hours as needed; may be required to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, and/or be mobile.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Master’s degree in educational administration or closely related field, from an accredited college or university; eight years of increasingly responsible teaching, administrative, and supervisory experience including experience with Special Education, support educational programs; experience as a principal, preferred; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.
Licenses/Special Requirements
Valid Washington State teaching certificate.
Valid Washington State Principal’s or Program Administrator’s certificate.
Valid Washington State driver’s license.
Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.
Allowable Substitution
Additional closely related management level experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to special education programs.
Knowledge of special education principles, practices, and programs.
Knowledge of elementary curricula and special support programs.
Knowledge of support educational programs principles, practices, objectives, and program development.
Knowledge of effective supervisory principles and practices.
Knowledge of fiscal management practices and procedures.
Knowledge of school and school District operations and procedures.
Knowledge of strategic planning best practices.
Skill in school administration.
Skill in effective instruction and research based teaching strategies.
Skill in designing master schedules.
Skill in evaluating program and staff effectiveness and recommending improvements.
Skill in decision-making and problem solving.
Skill in resolving conflicts.
Skill in providing training.
Skill in obtaining, clarifying, and exchanging information.
Skill in public finance and administration.
Skill in project management.
Skill in senior level planning and management of concurrent projects.
Skill in conceptual and analytical thinking.
Skill in making formal presentations of a complex nature.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in team building and evaluating and assessing the effectiveness of teams, programs and individuals.
Ability to diffuse sensitive situations and mediate disputes.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and maintain good follow through procedures.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to provide leadership.
Ability to create and lead effective teams.
Ability to communicate a sense of visions and direction.
Ability to effectively represent the District before the public, community groups and business community.
Ability to supervise the work of assigned staff.
Ability to develop and monitor complex budgets with multiple funding sources.
Ability to coordinate activities.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and maintain good follow-through procedures.
Ability to exercise good judgment.
Ability to operate a personal computer with applicable software programs.
Ability to work under pressure and meet established deadlines.
Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multicultural, diverse socio-economic setting.
Ability to participate as a member of a team.