Westwood High School seeks a Student Services Department Chair to join our caring and innovative community for the [redacted] school year. The Student Services Department Chair is a key member of the high school leadership team who oversees all school-wide special education, assessment, and tutoring programs. In this capacity, you will conduct strategic assessments of student/family needs on an ongoing basis; develop, implement, and evaluate programs and services to meet those needs; hire, supervise, develop, and evaluate student services staff; develop and monitor budgets; and develop and maintain school-wide policies and procedures to comply with state and federal regulations. Our ideal candidate is an innovative, organized, collaborative problem-solver and a champion of inclusion.

The Student Services Department Chair reports to the district Director of Student Services and Principal. You will also work closely with the Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, and the Academic Council (the school's instructional leadership team). This is a school-year position (209 days) that includes summer work days.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in education administration, special education or related field
• Massachusetts DESE licensure as an Administrator and Special Educator
• SEI endorsement preferred
• 5 years of experience in K-12 education required; some leadership experience within a high school preferred
• Thorough knowledge of current state and federal regulations and legal issues regarding students with disabilities
• Clear understanding and knowledge of disabilities and current practices/models for educational and clinical intervention; the ability to articulate a clear vision and plan for the effective implementation of that vision
• Ability to skillfully and thoughtfully handle a multitude of varying and complex issues with creativity and empathy
• Demonstrated commitment to celebrating diversity, pursuing equity, and promoting integration
• Familiarity with trauma-sensitive educational practices

Responsibilities:

Student Achievement: Diagnosis and Planning

• Provide effective leadership and vision in the area of special education and related support services
• Identify a range of appropriate data sources and effectively analyze the data for student-centered decision-making
• Coordinate the strategic assessment of school-wide special education needs on an ongoing basis and the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services to meet those needs
• Develop and implement an organizational structure, guidelines, and procedures for meeting all local, state, and federal regulations and reporting requirement

Student Achievement: Learning, Engagement, and Behavior

• Supervise the development of individual education programs for special needs students
• Assist teachers and departments in the use of both formal and informal assessment data to inform instruction and identify students in need of additional support
• Continually monitor students' progress, including overseeing screening and referral for evaluation and functioning of evaluation teams, and use it to meet the needs of individual students
• Monitor and consult with student support teams
• Cultivate authentic, supportive relationships with students
• Work with staff and families to create a collaborative, team-based approach to student support
• Forge connections with students and families both in school and at co-curricular and community events

Supervision, Evaluation, and Professional Development

• Recruit, hire, develop, supervise, evaluate, and retain diverse and talented members of the Student Services department
• Coach educators in the development of growth plans that promote professional growth and student learning
• Assist department members in the handling of day-to-day problems of instructions and guidance, and act as a resource for them
• Make frequent classroom visits and engage in post-observation conversations that encourage educator reflection and continuous improvement
• Monitor and provide appropriate consultation services for the department
• Work with school leaders to design professional development sessions that support students' academic, social and emotional growth and development

Priority Management and Operations

• Oversee the administration of Extended School year, tutorial programs, and other school projects skillfully and efficiently
• Manage the registration, placement, and orientation programs that facilitate the smooth transition for students entering the high school
• Prioritize tasks and forge and support effective teams; create ownership through delegation and participation at all levels
• Communicate effectively, honestly, and transparently with all constituencies, including staff, parents, and community members
• Maintain the student records in an organized, accurate, and timely fashion and in accordance with student and parental rights under law
• In cooperation with the Director of Student Services and the Principal, develop and manage the high school Student Services budget, including all special education grants
• Assume other responsibilities assigned by the Director of Student Services and building Principal

JOB ENVIRONMENT

Work takes place in classrooms and other building rooms/areas, including offices, auditorium, gym, lunchroom and hallways, within a school building setting, primarily indoors.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires sufficient vision to read printed documents and to view detail on a computer screen for extended periods.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, and reaching, as well as carrying and occasionally lifting up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and in the classroom.
• Ability to hear sounds clearly up to twenty feet.
• Travel among buildings may be required.