Assistant Director of Student Services

About the role

Exeter Region Cooperative Middle School is seeking an Assistant Director of Student Services to join their dynamic leadership team. This role involves leading the day-to-day management of special education programs for grades 6-8, fostering strong partnerships, and driving multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).

Responsibilities

• Assist in overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of Individualized Education Program (IEP)s for students in grades 6-8.
• Oversee the implementation and monitoring of IEP services to ensure fidelity, effectiveness, and alignment with student needs.
• Maintain compliance with special education timelines, evaluations, progress reporting, and documentation requirements.
• Support the coordination of related services, including speech/language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and Student Support Center services.
• Participate in and support Professional Learning Community (PLC) work by helping teams use student data, IEP goals, progress monitoring, and intervention results to plan responsive instruction and services.
• Collaborate with building administrators and school leaders to strengthen inclusive practices, classroom-based interventions, and co-planning between general and special education staff.
• Support the implementation of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), including Tier 1 classroom supports, Tier 2 targeted interventions, and Tier 3 intensive supports.
• Coordinate and strengthen transition planning for students entering middle school, moving between grade levels and teams, and transitioning from grade 8 to high school.
• Supervise, evaluate, and support assigned special education staff, including special education teachers, related service providers, and paraprofessionals.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of assigned middle school programs and services.
• Support conflict resolution with families and staff to promote positive collaboration and timely problem solving.
• Communicate proactively with families, staff, administrators, and service providers regarding student needs, programming, and compliance-related issues.

Requirements

• Master's degree or higher in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• Valid certification as a Special Education Administrator or eligibility to obtain certification.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in special education preferred; leadership, administrative, and middle school experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of special education law, IEP compliance, inclusive education, MTSS, and best practices for adolescent learners.
• Experience facilitating PLCs or data-team meetings to support student-centered instructional and intervention planning.
• Experience supervising, coaching, and developing paraprofessionals and special education staff.
• Working knowledge of Medicaid documentation and billing expectations for school-based services preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with families, general educators, special educators, related service providers, administrators, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiates instruction based upon student learning styles and behavioral management methods.
• Knowledge of best practices in administration, program evaluation and staff supervision.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledge of principles in psychology, social work and guidance.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding special education, students, and staff, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, IDEA, and FERPA.