What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director - Student Support position at Waco ISD?
Job Title: Ex Director - Student Support
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt/At-Will
Reports To: Assistant Superintendent - Student Services and Support
Pay Grade/Days: 108/226
Dept./School: Student Services and Support
Date Revised: December 2025
Primary Purpose:
Oversee and direct the district’s student support service programs to ensure problems affecting academic success are identified and resolved. Responsible for the effective and efficient operation of counseling services, community outreach, attendance, truancy measures, and the implementation of student-differentiated support with research-based strategies and compliance with state and national requirements. Ensure students' safety and well-being in an inclusive, equitable learning environment.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Texas Principal/Mid-Management Administrator Certification
TPESS certification preferred
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to meet established deadlines
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong investigation and research skills
Knowledge of methods, principles, techniques, and procedures concerning the operation, assessment, and evaluation of District student-centered programs.
Ability to utilize culturally relevant practices with diverse student and family populations.
Ability to interpret legislative laws, policies, and procedures, including state compulsory attendance laws, counseling rules & responsibilities, and state and federal guidelines for at-risk populations.
Knowledge of wrap-around student support services (e.g., counseling, SEL, trauma-informed, attendance barriers, health-related services, MTSS, parent engagement)
Experience:
Minimum of five (5) years of experience supporting students working in an educational environment, training staff, and/or providing technical support.
- Stay current with state and federal rules and regulations governing student support services, ensuring compliance and guiding the team in meeting legal requirements.
- Serve as the point of contact for board policy and district procedural processes concerning parent concerns (e.g., FNG grievance process, parental custody).
- Assist the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Support with managing and monitoring the departmental budget and grant funding, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to support the effective operation and delivery of all student services and initiatives.
- Assist the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Support with timely response and implementation of Texas Education Agency (TEA) mandates, requirements, and uploads as needed. Ability to work cross-departmentally to achieve successful implementation.
- Develop and maintain programs that strengthen the home/school connection, including supporting parent/guardian referrals to outside agencies for assistance. Engage with the community to build partnerships and resources that support student service initiatives.
- Work with all department leads within the Student Services Department to align a comprehensive data-collection and analysis system to assess the effectiveness of student support service programs, using findings to drive continuous improvement and evidence-based strategies.
- Organize, develop, and implement professional development and technical assistance for district and campus staff on effective student support strategies facilitated by the student services department.
- Support the Coordinator for Counseling Services and campus counselors to coordinate efforts to streamline related programs.
- Direct the district’s truancy response efforts, including oversight and management of multiple effective communication modes among school personnel, students, parents/guardians, community agencies, and the court system.
- Work closely with campus leadership teams to develop campus-based interventions and programs to increase daily attendance and to help campuses develop attendance committee protocols, including truancy laws, and ensure timely notification to parents/guardians regarding concerns with student attendance, e.g., the 90% attendance rule.
- Collaboratively prioritize and assist in managing the students of the highest concern who have participated in the threat assessment process and require additional follow-up, including coordinating intervention and support services in the student’s home, school, and community to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for students and staff.
- Implement and monitor the utilization of culturally relevant and equitable practices across all student support service programs to ensure services are responsive to the needs of diverse student and family populations.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Support or the Superintendent.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Manage and supervise all direct reports and subordinate personnel within the defined organizational structure of Student Support Services, encompassing staff at the Coordinator level and below, including but not limited to:
- Coordinator of Counseling & Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Supervisor, Highly Mobile Student Services Homeless & Foster Liaison
- Parent & Community Support For Special Education and Student Services
- Parent Campus Liaisons (PCLs) in the truancy department
Working Conditions:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting; Repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding, and use of a mouse; occasional reaching; Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 20 pounds); Frequent district-wide travel; occasional state-wide travel; Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress, frequent prolonged and irregular hours.
Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.
Non-Discrimination Statement