Director of Student Services - Florida Connections Academy

Position Summary

Working from your home office in Florida, the Director of Student Services will provide leadership and oversight for the school’s comprehensive student services programs, including Exceptional Student Education (ESE/IEP), Section 504, English Language Learner (ELL) services, Gifted Education, and Mental Health services. The Director will ensure that programs and services are effectively implemented to meet the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and individualized needs of students.

The Director of Student Services will ensure that all areas of student services operate in compliance with applicable district, state, and federal requirements and that required documentation and data are accurately collected, maintained, monitored, and updated in accordance with established compliance expectations. The Director will also provide leadership and guidance to staff to support consistent implementation of student services and ensure students receive appropriate and timely support.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for the school’s comprehensive Student Services programs, including Exceptional Student Education (ESE/IEP), Section 504, English Language Learner (ELL) services, Gifted Education, and Mental Health services.

• Monitor program implementation, compliance requirements, processes, and timelines across all areas of Student Services to ensure alignment with applicable federal, state, district, and school requirements.

• Interpret and communicate regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices related to ESE, Section 504, ELL, Gifted Education, and Mental Health services to school leadership, teachers, staff, students, and families, as appropriate.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve standardized processes, procedures, forms, protocols, and documentation systems for Student Services programs.

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with the school’s authorizer, management company, and other external partners necessary to support student needs and required services.

• Oversee procedures related to student identification, referral, evaluation, eligibility, placement, service delivery, progress monitoring, reevaluation, transition, and dismissal, as applicable to each Student Services program.

• Ensure appropriate systems are maintained for the accurate and timely documentation, collection, storage, monitoring, and reporting of Student Services data and records in accordance with compliance and confidentiality requirements.

• Oversee and participate in student-focused meetings, including IEP, Section 504, ELL, Gifted, problem-solving, and other Student Services meetings, as appropriate.

• Coordinate the delivery of required student services through school-based staff, contracted providers, school districts, and other qualified agencies, ensuring services are provided in accordance with applicable student plans and program requirements.

• Oversee the development, documentation, communication, and implementation of student accommodations, modifications, services, and supports within the virtual learning environment and during state and school-based assessments.

• Collaborate with school leadership, teachers, counselors, interventionists, and other staff regarding programming and supports for students with diverse academic, behavioral, social-emotional, language, and accessibility needs.

• Partner with parents and guardians to address questions, facilitate communication, resolve concerns, and ensure students receive appropriate services and support consistent with applicable requirements and individual student needs.

• Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of Florida Connections Academy’s curriculum, instructional model, technology platforms, and available resources to identify effective ways to provide individualized services and supports within a virtual educational environment.

• Identify and implement innovative strategies for supporting students receiving ESE, Section 504, ELL, Gifted, and Mental Health services in a virtual school environment.

• Plan and facilitate professional learning and staff training related to Student Services programs, compliance requirements, instructional practices, accommodations, interventions, and student supports.

• Maintain current knowledge of applicable federal and state legislation, regulations, research, methodologies, and best practices related to ESE, Section 504, ELL, Gifted Education, Mental Health, and other assigned areas of Student Services.

• Collaborate with school leadership and testing personnel to ensure appropriate accommodations and supports are accurately identified, communicated, and implemented during state and school-based assessments.

• Serve as a site testing administrator, as assigned, and support the planning, coordination, and implementation of state and school-based testing.

• Monitor Student Services data and program outcomes to identify trends, areas of need, and opportunities to strengthen services and improve student outcomes.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the School Leader.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree preferred.

• Florida Professional Certificate in Exceptional Student Education K-12 required

• Reading endorsement preferred

• ESOL endorsement required

• Three years of successful professional practice or experience in special education

• Expertise in special education law and compliance

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

• Customer focused approach

• High degree of flexibility

• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast paced environment

• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office and Google Suite products)

• Experience in policy (IDEA) and/or administration with Special Education

• Travel and attendance at in-person events, including State Testing is required throughout the school year, as determined by the school. This may require overnight travel

• Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families.

• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication.