Director of Student Support Services

Director of Student Support Services 2026-27 School Year

At Mountain School, we are committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive learning environment where every child can thrive. Our mission is to empower students with the skills, confidence, and support they need to reach their full potential. The Director of Student Support Services plays a critical role in advancing this mission by ensuring equitable access to high-quality instruction, fostering collaboration across staff and families, and championing the success of all students. If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and guiding a team dedicated to student growth, we invite you to join our community of learners.

The Director of Student Services plans, directs, and implements support services for all students with disabilities. This position ensures high-quality special education programming, compliance with state and federal regulations, and collaboration across school teams to support student success. The Director of Student Support Services also serves as the 504 and AZELLA ELL Assessment and Testing Coordinator.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (education degree preferred)
• Valid Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Current Arizona Special Education Certificate: Mild Moderate Disabilities K-12 and/or Moderate to Severe Disabilities K-12

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 years of K-5 special education experience
• Certifications: CPR, First Aid, CPI or TACT-2
• LETRS or comparable Science of Reading training certificate

Special Education/Student Support Services Program Oversight

• Research, plan, direct, and implement support services, including specially designed instruction, for students with disabilities in Kindergarten through 5th grade
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate all Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in accordance with state and federal regulations, including IDEA
• Facilitate all IEP meetings and provide guidance to general education teachers on specially designed instruction, accommodations, modifications, and interventions
• Serve as the English Language Learner (ELL) Assessment and Testing Coordinator
• Facilitate all student 504 plans including implementation, meetings and accommodations

Compliance Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all state and federal special education laws and regulations, including ADE, IDEA, ESEA, Section 504, FERPA, Arizona statutes, rules, and applicable judicial decisions
• Develop, implement, and oversee policies and procedures related to screening, referral, evaluation, eligibility, placement, services, and due process
• Direct and manage the initial student evaluation and reevaluation process, including coordination and facilitation of MET meetings, collaboration with contracted service providers, and completion of evaluation and eligibility documentation
• Maintain accurate, confidential student records and data systems, including IEP documentation, progress monitoring, transfer of records, and mandated reporting
• Collect, analyze, and report student data and progress toward annual IEP goals
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely compliance reports to the Arizona Department of Education, school administration, and governing board
• Represent the district/school in special education due process proceedings in collaboration with legal counsel

Student Support Services Responsibilities

• Identify, plan, and recommend appropriate services, goals, objectives, and supports to meet the needs of students with disabilities
• Provide specially designed instruction and fulfill IEP service requirements, including direct services in 1:1 and small-group settings
• Deliver instructional interventions and academic support aligned with IEP goals
• Interact directly with students to implement and monitor IEP requirements and ensure delivery of service minutes
• Develop a working knowledge and understanding of general education curriculum to adapt the content appropriately to deliver specially designed instruction to eligible students with disabilities
• Collaborate with and support general education teachers in implementing IEP accommodations, modifications, and instructional strategies to ensure a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
• Coordinate and communicate regularly with related service providers to schedule student services and facilitate IEP and MET meetings
• Collect, maintain, and manage IEP documentation and student data, ensuring confidentiality and accuracy, including IEP-Pro records and progress monitoring information
• Proctor individual or small group testing for students with IEPs/504 plans during state assessments
• Perform CPI- or TACT-2-certified restraint or seclusion when required as the school designee

Student Support Services Team Leadership Responsibilities

• Collaborate with school leadership and personnel to align special education services with the school’s strategic plan and goals
• Provide case management for students with disabilities, including coordination of IEP teams, parent communication, program development, service delivery, IEP/504 Plan implementation, and compliance
• Supervise and coordinate itinerant and related service providers, including scheduling services, IEP meetings, and initial and reevaluation meetings, to ensure provision of a FAPE
• Oversee daily operations of the Student Support Services team, including Special Education Teacher(s), Paraprofessionals, Speech Therapist, School Psychologist, and Occupational Therapist
• Maintain regular, predictable attendance to ensure continuity of services and leadership presence

Communication Responsibilities

• Communicate regularly and effectively with families, staff, service providers, and district personnel using approved school communication systems
• Utilize ClassDojo for timely and professional communication with parents and guardians
• Use PowerSchool to enter, monitor, and track IEP and special education student data
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date IEP documentation using IEP-Pro
• Communicate professionally via school email in accordance with school expectations and confidentiality requirements
• Ensure all communication and data entry align with FERPA and special education compliance standards

Intervention / RTI Responsibilities

• Conduct classroom observations to support early identification of academic and behavioral needs
• Provide recommendations and guidance to general education teachers regarding instructional and behavioral interventions
• Facilitate and participate in Child Study Team meetings to review student data and determine appropriate interventions
• Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of Response to Intervention (RTI) plans
• Develop, implement, and oversee behavior support plans for students
• Collaborate with staff and service providers to ensure interventions are data-driven and aligned with student needs

Benefits and Salary:

• This position is full time, Monday - Friday in person. Salary for this position is competitive and dependent upon education and experience.
• Mountain School offers a comprehensive benefits package including;
• Medical, dental, vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Short Term Disability (STD) and life insurance
• Mountain School is an Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) employer, matching employee contributions to retirement and Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Paid Time Off

Pay: $58,000.00 - $66,375.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $58,000 - $66,375