2026-2027 Assistant Director- Exceptional Student Services (ESS)

Assistant Director- Exceptional Student Services (ESS)

JOB DESCRIPTION: Provides leadership for District Academic Coaches and ESS processes by ensuring compliance, supporting complex student needs, and serving as a liaison to facilitate focused, data-driven collaborative teams aligned to district goals and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum bachelor’s degree required. Arizona teacher certification or related services (i.e. Psychologist, SLP, etc) certification required. Administrative certification is preferred. One of the following is required: five (5) years of teaching, five (5) years of experience in the exceptional services department, and administrator experience. Demonstrates strong organizational and project management skills to lead ESS initiatives, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and successfully supervise staff in meeting departmental and district objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the Director of ESS in leading the department by providing structural support of ESS District Academic Coaches and district-wide processes, including evaluation of staff, compliance, and instruction.
• Serve as the point-person for complex ESS topics such as student placement, eligibility, and transportation, as well as day-to-day site support needs
• Skilled in leading Learning of collaborative teams and engaging in self-guided/ongoing Professional Development to support the needs of the team.
• Skilled in facilitating complex or contentious IEP meetings
• Engage as the liaison between the leadership team and the collaborative team.
• Knowledgeable about effective PLC’s.
• Ability to facilitate a focused team.
• Ability to constructively handle dissent and conflict among teammates and use this as an opportunity to learn and grow.
• Ability to redirect conversations that may stray from the focus
• Ability to analyze student work and data
• Align all decisions made with a focus on the mission, vision, values/collective commitments, and goals of the school/district.
• Attend one-day training in July to prepare for the role of collaborative team leader.
• Participate in ongoing training throughout the school year as well as a minimum of two (2), one (1) hour site learning team meetings each month outside of contract time.
• Support team with instructional resources
• Facilitate team meetings where ALL team members participate, share ideas and reach consensus.
• Facilitate purposeful team building while integrating and modeling the 13 behaviors of a trust leader.
• Ensure the collaborative team maintains an instructional focus through collaboration.
• Facilitate setting and monitoring quarterly SMART Goals.
• Focus on ensuring competence and growth for all students
• Maintain artifacts of ongoing collaboration following requirements & procedures provided.
• Participate in ongoing training related to collaborative school and district improvement.

SALARY: Twelve-month, administrative salary schedule, assistant director level, and $750 travel stipend, and employee benefits in accordance with Board policies. Eligible for performance pay.

EVALUATION: Performance is to be evaluated in accordance with Board policy on the evaluation of professional personnel.

Revised: April 2026