Executive Director of Student Support Teams (SST)

Job Description:

The Executive Director of Student Support Teams (SST) provides systems oversight, strategic leadership and capacity building, operational and fiscal management, policy implementation and compliance to ensure quality and comprehensive student support programs. Through coaching and consultation, this position supports the social, emotional, and academic learning services provided to all students. This position integrates school counseling, health services, psychology, and social work services with other school-wide and division-wide initiatives to support student achievement, positive mental health, and overall student success. The Executive Director is highly skilled in setting a vision aligned with the strategic plan goals of the school division, leading professional learning that builds staff capacity, analyzing data to respond to the needs of staff and students, collaborating and engaging our diverse families and community, and implementing effective strategies that lead to positive outcomes for students.

This position reports to the Chief of Student Services and Equity Officer in the Department of Student Services and Equity (DSSE).

Qualifications:

• Education: Master's degree in school counseling, psychology, social work or related field required. Doctorate preferred.

• Certifications/Licenses: Valid Virginia Department of Education Postgraduate Professional License, (Pupil Personnel Services License with endorsement in school counseling, school psychology, or school social work will need be converted). An endorsement in Administration and Supervision is required.

• Experience: 5-10 years of leadership experience directly related to social-emotional programs, special services, and/or mental or physical health may be considered in lieu of an endorsement in school counseling, school psychology, or school social work.

Key Competencies:

• Comprehensive knowledge of social, emotional and academic learning techniques, programs and practices.
• Knowledge of child psychology and human development.
• Ability to support, supervise, and evaluate staff and programs in DSSE.
• Ability to gain the confidence of students, parents, and professional staff and foster strong collaboration and accountability for student outcomes.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Essential Functions:

• Supervises and evaluates Office of Student Support Team staff including the Directors of K-12 School Counseling and MTSS, School Health, School Psychology, and School Social Work.
• Provides direction and supervision to the SST Directors who provide consultation, oversight and professional learning to cultivate continuous improvement and among the SST staff in the schools.
• Strategic collaboration with the Director of K-12 School Counseling and MTSS to strengthen the multi-tiered systems of support process in schools to ensure it is followed with fidelity including interventions that impact student growth and positive outcomes for academics, behavior and attendance.
• Develops and implements common and collaborative procedures and guidelines applicable to Student Support Teams to include suicide prevention and intervention, and crisis responses related to student and staff loss and other crises.
• Collaborates with the Director of K-12 School Counseling and MTSS, the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, and the Department of Accountability to monitor and support academic and career planning and growth in completion of graduation requirements among various student populations.
• Collaborates with central office department staff including the Office of Equity and Specialized Instruction and school staff including school administrators, school based SST on the process of referrals to the Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervention Services Team.
• Provides leadership to the department in meeting the goals of both the ACPS Strategic Plan and the Department of Student Services and Equity goals.
• Supports Directors in their efforts to bring all ACPS schools into alignment with the national standards of practice, including any exemplary programs, such as ASCA National Model and supports schools in earning the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation.
• Creates an environment where creativity, innovation and continuous improvement practices amongst Directors of SST and school-based SST staff members are consistently shared.
• Provides consultation and oversight to SST Directors related to academic, social emotional counseling, career education, interpretation of assessment and testing data, social and academic adjustment, and community engagement activities.
• Manages the second level of the appeal process to problem solve and provide resolutions in Section 504 disputes.
• Serves as the Title IX Coordinator to lead the Title IX process and serves as a Discrimination Compliance Officer.
• Oversees the establishment of partnership agreements and Memorandums of Understanding that fall under the Office of Student Support Teams.
• Oversees the budgets and finances for the office, to include operational and grant funding.
• Collaborates with Alexandria City and other partners on efforts to provide access to mental and physical health services in schools.
• Serves on various state, local, and division committees to establish partnerships that enhance student support services.
• Oversees and supports a division-wide professional learning plan for staff in partnership with community members where applicable.
• Supports the accurate utilization of applicable student information system data.
• Performs related duties as assigned by the Chief of Student Services and Equity.

Salary:

• Salary for this position is determined by The ACPS Licensed Administrator Salary Scale

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.

Public Health Compliance

• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP