Director of Student Support Services

Director of Student Support Services

Join Our “Relationships-First” Team:                                

We invite you to be a part of a team whose mission-aligned culture offers sustainable, rewarding career paths in teaching, operations, and leadership, built on collaboration and mutual support. Experience the difference at a workplace that celebrates and cultivates each team member’s passions, skills and multi-disciplinary interests as we build a brighter future together, one student at a time.

 

Why Educators Choose S2:

• A “Relationships-First” culture where you’re valued, supported, and included
• Collaborative planning time and mutual support
• Opportunities to lead initiatives that strengthen student growth at every stage of their PreK–12 education
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including offering a competitive compensation package, including a strong benefits program and a 401(k) with a 6% organizational match
• A bilingual, community-rooted model serving Washington Heights and Inwood including a pantry partnership, Bachata Nights, multicultural festivals, and a reading initiative.

About the Director of Student Support Services

The Director of Student Support Services will play a pivotal role in developing, implementing, and overseeing special education programs and services within our organization. This individual will collaborate with educators, administrators, and families to ensure that students with special needs receive the support and resources necessary to achieve academic success and personal growth. The Director of Student Support Services ensures that teachers are implementing high-quality instruction that is accessible for all students, that all students are receiving the supports to meet their needs, and that we operate in full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing special education. This is an ideal position for an educator with a strong educational and clinical background who is a systems thinker. This position will work closely with the school-based coordinators of student support services.

Responsibilities:

The Coordinator holds the following responsibilities across all three schools.

System Design and Architecture

• Design, document, and maintain S2's network-wide SWD/MLL service delivery model — including the intervention continuum, screening calendar, intervention block structure (MS and HS), and COST meeting system
• Build and maintain the data infrastructure for SWD/MLL monitoring — including the weekly network report, COST meeting preparation, and quarterly equity audit — in coordination with the data coordinator and the incoming dashboard vendor
• Facilitate the incoming MLL protocol (NYSITELL within 30 days of enrollment, concurrent academic screening, evaluation referral decision criteria) and own its implementation
• Refine the intervention tracking and placement system for the middle and high school; ensure facilitators have the tools and training to log data weekly
• Design and maintain compliance calendar for all three schools; own the annual review tracking system

Coaching and Team Development

• Coach and develop three SPED Coordinators and three ELL Teachers — not as supervisor but as thought partner, model, and builder of their capacity
• Develop co-teachers from their current practice (behavioral management default) to genuine instructional partnership; design and lead co-teaching model training at August Institute
• Train principals and APs on COST meeting facilitation, data literacy for SWD/MLL subgroups, and WIN block oversight
• Model what it looks like to approach SWD and MLL students from a place of belief in their capacity — and hold the rest of the team to that standard

 

Meeting Facilitation and Coordination

• Chair the monthly Network MTSS Leadership Team meeting (alongside the CAO and Principals)
• Support and where needed co-facilitate COST meetings at all three schools, particularly in the first semester as the system is being established
• Attend at least one inquiry cycle data meeting per school per cycle to connect instructional improvement data with SWD/MLL system data
• Facilitate the quarterly equity audit with school leadership: disaggregated analysis of academic growth, discipline, and attendance by race, gender, SWD, and MLL status

 

Compliance and Legal Accountability

• Own S2's IDEA compliance posture: IEP implementation fidelity, evaluation timelines, Child Find obligations, and family notification 
• Ensure Part 154 compliance for all MLL students: confirm service minutes match ELP levels, audit ELL Teacher schedules against state requirements quarterly

Family and Community Partnership

• Ensure families of SWD and MLL students are treated as partners in the MTSS process — not notified of decisions already made
• Oversee family communication protocols for IEP annual reviews, evaluation referrals, and intervention placements; ensure Spanish-language access for all critical communications at S2
• Advise the CAO on how to make the SWD/MLL model visible and legible to families — not just to educators

Qualifications

• Passionate commitment to the mission of School in the Square and investment in our vision and values;
• Passionate dedication to improve the minds, characters, and lives of students both in and out of school;
• A Masters Degree and  New York state certification as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities. At least 3 prior years of experience as a special education teacher
• Evidence of deep knowledge of special education compliance and effective practice.
• • An adept problem-solver with a demonstrated ability to think critically, plan strategically, as well as research and perform detailed data analysis;
  • Skilled in written and oral communication to diverse audiences and facilitating decision-making among multiple parties;
  • Proactive and fast learner who thrives in a fast-paced environment;
  • Ability to provide high-leverage feedback via classroom observations and school walk-throughs
  • Knowledge of the principles and methods for curriculum and instruction, co-curricular and extracurricular design, and the measurement of training and development
  • Demonstrate ability to interpret policy, procedures, and data
  • Demonstrate experience using technology as both a management and instructional tool
  • A high appreciation for and ability to work in and lead a diverse community
  • Team-player capable of working both collaboratively and independently with a proven ability to:
  • Engage, enlist, and energize others in ongoing improvement of learning and teaching;
  • self-initiate, determine a course of action, and make necessary proposals for change when necessary

  What Can You Expect From Us

  At S2, we take as much care of our staff as we do of our students. S2 is committed to supporting our staff by helping them build sustainable, rewarding careers that center on each individual’s passions and multi-disciplinary interests. All of our faculty and staff are valued professionals and we are proud to provide team-building and collaboration, comfortable and friendly working conditions and more, to ensure our team members have the tools they need to succeed.

  In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, School in the Square provides ultra competitive salaries. The salary range for this role is $125,000 - $165,000. Additionally, this is a hybrid position with the option to work from home up to two days per week as needed and your schedule allows.

  Additionally, we provide opportunities for supplemental compensation, an excellent benefits package with 

  employer-paid life insurancea 401K program with a 6% organizational match93% coverage of healthcare coveragelongevity bonusgenerous paid time offaccess to a federal student loan debt reduction programa supportive work environment. 

  School in the Square understands specific groups are subject to marginalization. We believe these powerful groups should be centered in our community and are highly encouraged to apply. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.