About this role
Summary of position: The Student Support Director serves as the system-level leader for all student support services, including Special Education, Section 504, SAT, MLSS Layer 3 interventions, counseling, health services, gifted services, and related service providers. The SSD ensures the design, coordination, and compliance of systems that support students' academic, behavioral, and wellness needs across the school. The SSD is the school's official MLSS Coordinator, responsible for framework design, coordination, fidelity monitoring, and compliance across all three MLSS layers. The SSD reports to the Head of School and functions as a member of the executive leadership team. This is an executive leadership position. See school's Organizational Chart for how this position relates to other postions. Role Scope and Authority: The Student Support Director exercises systems-level leadership over special education, related services, multi-layer learner support systems (MLSS), counseling, health services, and academic intervention structures. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance, fidelity of implementation, and effectiveness of all student support systems across the school. The Student Support Director supervises and evaluates student support staff and holds decision-making authority within the scope of assigned systems. Instructional supervision of general education teachers remains the responsibility of the Elementary and Middle School Principals. Building principals retain authority over general student discipline, scheduling, and instructional supervision within their divisions. The Student Support Director collaborates closely with principals to coordinate services and ensure that student support systems align with instructional programs. Clinical decisions and service delivery are carried out by licensed professionals within their respective areas of practice, in accordance with law and professional standards. The Student Support Director collaborates with school leadership to align services with instructional priorities and supports the Head of School in ensuring legal compliance and equitable access to services. FLSA Status: Exempt (executive) School Personnel Act Classification: Administrative Immediate supervisor: Head of School Compensation: Salaried, set annually. Ranged $110,000 - $120,000 depending on experience Hours: Full Time Student Support Director must be present on campus during core school hours, with schedule flexibility aligned to compliance, supervision, and leadership responsibilities. Required on-campus dates are all teacher work days plus additional days before and after the school year, as established by the Head of School prior to the commencement of each year. Duties may extend beyond required on-campus hours and days. Standards of Performance Review: NMIS Student Support Director Evaluation Receives Paid Personal Leave under NMIS Policy: Yes Certification/Educational Qualifications:
• Possess a current and valid NMPED-issued Level 3B Pre-K Administrative License.
• Current trainings in accordance with this Employee Handbook and GC Policy (e.g. Bloodborne Pathogens, etc.)
• Current background check in compliance with school policy.
• Knowledge of current best practices and methodologies for supporting children with special needs.
• Masterful knowledge and understanding of federal and state regulations and policies affecting
• Special Education
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• New Mexico's MLSS program
• Basic understanding of International Baccalaureate program and teaching methodologies and continual professional development in IB.
• Familiarity and working knowledge of the school's student information system (SIS) and NOVA reporting.
Physical/Mental Qualifications
• Be able to effectively use relevant technology to conduct a meeting (e.g. independently setting up printers/projectors, etc.)
• Ability to interpret evaluation data in light of instructional programs delivered in non-native languages.
Job Duties Essential functions: The Student Support Director is responsible for the following, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• General Systems Leadership
• Develops, documents, and maintains standard operating procedures for all student support functions
• Be physically present on campus and at school functions as required to fulfill leadership, compliance, and supervisory responsibilities, with schedule flexibility aligned to the needs of the role.
• Abide by all NMIS policies, procedures, Employee Handbook provisions, and all applicable sections of New Mexico Statute (NMSA) and Administrative Code (NMAC).
• Maintain strict confidentiality of student, family, and employee information in accordance with state and federal law
• Model professional conduct, ethical decision-making, and collegial leadership in all interactions with staff, students, families, and external partners.
• Ensure that all student support staff adhere to NMIS policies, professional standards, and compliance requirements.
• Design, maintain, and continuously improve systems and procedures that support student services, interventions, and regulatory compliance.
• Serve as a member of the school's executive leadership team and contribute to schoolwide decision-making, planning, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with supervisors, peers, and subordinates, and address concerns through established supervisory channels.
• Ensure budgetary responsibility for the Student Support Department and procurement of all necessary materials.
• Oversight of the school's system of supports and interventions (MLSS and SAT)
• Serve as the school's Multi-Layered System of Supports (MLSS) Coordinator, responsible for the design, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the MLSS framework across the school.
• Ensure the effective operation of the Student Assistance Team (SAT) system and associated student intervention processes.
• Supervise and support the Student Support Coordinator (SSC), who manages the day-to-day administration of SAT processes.
• Work collaboratively with school principals to ensure that
• MLSS Layer 1 and Layer 2 supports
• SAT interventionsare implemented effectively within the instructional program.
• Ensure the effective provision of MLSS Layer 3 interventions by Student Support Department staff.
• Provide supervisory oversight of school counseling services, health services, and academic intervention systems.
• Special Education and 504 Oversight
• Provide executive oversight of the school's Special Education and Section 504 systems.
• Supervise and support the Student Support Coordinator (SSC), who manages the day-to-day administration of special education and Section 504 processes.
• Ensure that all evaluations, eligibility determinations, services, and documentation are completed in accordance with federal and state requirements and school policy.
• Ensure fidelity of implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 plans, and related services.
• Serve as the disciplinary authority for students with disabilities in accordance with school policy and applicable federal and state law, including manifestation determination procedures and disciplinary protections under IDEA and Section 504.
• Oversight of the school's gifted program
• Provide executive oversight of the school's gifted education program, which operates within the Special Education system.
• Supervise and support the Student Support Coordinator (SSC), who manages the day-to-day administration of gifted identification, evaluation, and service planning processes.
• Ensure that gifted screening procedures are implemented in accordance with state requirements and school policy.
• Ensure that eligibility determinations, gifted Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and related documentation are completed accurately and in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Ensure that services for gifted students are implemented with fidelity and aligned with the school's instructional program.
• Recruitment, development, supervision and evaluation of Student Support & Wellness Staff
• Recruit, supervise, and evaluate all student support staff as shown in the school's organizational chart.
• Ensure licensure and training compliance
• Recommend hiring, rehire, and termination decisions
Additional functions: The Student Support Director is expected to do the following additional functions to adequately complete the duties of the position.
• Provide input on school policy drafts and revisions as requested by the Head of School.
• Provide professional development to staff as directed by the Head of School.
• Attend Pedagogical Leadership Team (PLT) meetings at request of the PLT chair.
• Provide leadership at and attend School Equity and Advisory Committee (SEAC) meetings.
• Other reasonable duties as assigned by the Head of School