Executive Director of Special Services, Student Support, and Wellness

• CAMDEN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTExecutive Director of Special Services, Student Support & Wellness
• Position Summary
• The Executive Director of Special Services, Student Support & Wellness serves as the district's senior leader responsible for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of all systems that support students' academic access, well-being, and success
• This role functions as the district's central authority on special education, student services, and health systems-ensuring both compliance and performance outcomes for all students, particularly students with disabilities and those requiring additional supports.The Executive Director leads a comprehensive system that integrates special education, mental health, student services, and health supports into a unified framework focused on: Improving student outcomes - Increasing access to high-quality instruction - Reducing barriers to learning - Ensuring legal and regulatory compliance
• This role is accountable for ensuring that student support systems are data-driven, aligned, and effective, and that they operate as a core driver of district performance-not a parallel or isolated function

Qualifications

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university (Doctorate preferred)Minimum: Five (5) years successful teaching experience/Five (5) years leadership experience (school-based and/or central office)Demonstrated expertise in: Special education systems and IDEA compliance/ Student services and intervention systems/ Organizational leadership and program management/Supervision and evaluation of staff
• Strong knowledge of: Federal IDEA regulations/ New Jersey special education code/Student services, health, and support systems
• Experience managing large teams and districtwide initiatives
• A valid driver's license with current insurance and valid vehicle registration
• Certification

Requirements

• (NJDOE-Aligned)In accordance with:N.J.A.C. 6A:9BN.J.S.A. 18A:27-1 et seq.Required:Valid New Jersey School Administrator Certificate
• Preferred / Additional

Qualifications

• Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification (or equivalent)Advanced degree (Doctorate preferred)Core

Responsibilities

• System Leadership: Special Services & Student Support (OWNER)Student support leadership - Lead and manage the district's full system of student support services
• Program oversight - Oversee all programs related to:Special education
• Student services (counseling, mental health, social services)Health services
• Systems alignment - Ensure systems are coherent, aligned, and outcomes-driven
• Department vision - Establish a department vision aligned to district priorities
• Special Education Systems & Outcomes (OWNER)Special education quality - Ensure high-quality, compliant, and effective special education services
• Service oversight - Oversee:Identification and classification
• IEP development and implementation
• LRE practices
• Instructional access - Ensure access to rigorous, grade-level instruction
• Outcome improvement - Improve academic and postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities
• Student Services & Mental Health Systems (OWNER)Student support leadership - Lead comprehensive student support systems
• Service oversight - Oversee:Counseling services
• Mental health supports
• SEL supports
• Homeless student services
• Barrier reduction - Ensure services reduce barriers to learning and improve engagement
• Health Services Oversight (OWNER)Health services leadership - Ensure effective and compliant delivery of school health services
• Nursing oversight - Oversee nursing and medical services
• Attendance alignment - Ensure alignment between health supports and student attendance
• Regulatory compliance - Maintain compliance with health regulations
• Data, Accountability & Performance Monitoring (OWNER)Data-driven systems - Ensure all systems are driven by data and aligned to outcomes
• Indicator monitoring - Monitor key indicators:Special education outcomes
• Attendance and absenteeism
• Behavioral data
• Dashboard development - Establish dashboards and reporting systems
• Data-based decisions - Use data to drive decision-making and resource allocation
• Compliance and Legal Oversight (OWNER)Legal compliance - Ensure full compliance with all federal and state

Requirements

• Regulatory oversight - Oversee compliance with:IDEANJ administrative code
• Audit leadership - Lead audits, reporting, and corrective action plans
• Documentation readiness - Ensure all documentation and processes are audit-ready
• Program Integration and Instructional Access (OWNER)Inclusive practices - Promote inclusive practices and co-teaching models
• Core instruction access - Ensure students with disabilities have access to core instruction
• Intervention alignment - Align interventions with instructional priorities
• Supervision and Leadership Development (OWNER)Leadership supervision - Develop and manage department leadership and staff
• Staff coaching - Provide coaching and performance feedback
• Leadership capacity - Build internal leadership capacity
• Implementation consistency - Ensure consistent implementation across schools
• Budget and Resource Management (OWNER)Budget development - Develop and manage departmental budgets
• Resource allocation - Allocate resources based on data and need
• Fiscal compliance - Ensure fiscal compliance
• Professional Learning and Capacity Building (OWNER)Professional learning - Develop and implement professional learning aligned to:Special education practices
• Student support systems
• Compliance

Requirements

• Capacity building - Build capacity across schools and departments
• Family and Community Engagement (OWNER)Family communication - Ensure clear and effective communication with families
• School support - Support schools in engaging families of students receiving services
• District representation - Represent the district in matters related to student support services
• Cross-System Alignment (NES Integration)District collaboration - Ensure alignment across all district systems
• Cross-department work - Collaborate with:Instruction
• Talent
• Data
• Strategic integration - Ensure student support systems are integrated into district strategy
• Other Duties
• Additional

Responsibilities

• Accountability Measures
• The Executive Director is directly accountable for:Improved outcomes for students with disabilities
• Reduction in chronic absenteeism among targeted populations
• Increased access to general education settings (LRE)Effectiveness of student support systems
• Full compliance with federal and state regulations
• Alignment of services to district performance goals
• Core Competencies
• Systems leadership and organizational management
• Expertise in special education and student services
• Data-driven decision-making
• Strategic planning and execution
• Communication and stakeholder engagement
• Problem-solving and continuous improvement
• Commitment to equity and student success
• Physical Demands:The following physical demands are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to:Sit, stand, walk, speak, and hear for extended periods for various tasks.Use hands and arms to reach, handle, and operate tools, computers, or controls.Lift and carry items necessary for job performance.Use close, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and adjust focus as needed.Environmental Demands:The following environmental conditions are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position.Possible exposure to a range of childhood and adult illnesses.Occasional exposure to varying weather conditions.Work performed in heated, air-conditioned, ventilated facilities.Moderate to high at times, noise level especially during school

Hours

• , assemblies or events.Frequent interruptions from calls, walk-ins and urgent requests.Possible exposure to cleaning agents, instructional materials, and equipment-related chemicals.Terms of Employment
• Twelve-month position

Salary

• ,

Benefits

• , and conditions of employment shall be in accordance with Board policy and applicable agreements.Evaluation
• Performance shall be evaluated annually in accordance with Board policy, administrative regulations, and district leadership procedures.Reports To: State District Superintendent
• Supervises:Directors, supervisors, and staff responsible for:Special Education
• Student Services (counseling, mental health, homeless services)Health Services (nursing and medical supports)Related support programs and personnel
• Work Year: Twelve (12) Months
• Classification: Non-Affiliated Administrator (Cabinet-Level or Senior Leadership)

Salary

• Range
• Commensurate with experience and district

Salary

• guide
• Minimum Starting

Salary

• $150,000.00Maximum Starting

Salary

• $200,000.00Residency Requirement
• Under New Jersey's "New Jersey First Act" (N.J.S.A. 52:14-7), all employees of New Jersey public school districts must maintain bona fide New Jersey residency as a condition of employment
• Candidates must already reside in New Jersey or establish residency within the required timeframe after hire
• Current employees who were hired on or before September 1, 2011areexemptfrom this requirement and may continue to reside outside the state
• In limited circumstances, applicants may request a residency waiver through the state's Employee Residency Review Committee if they can demonstrate critical need or hardship; approval is not guaranteed.HOW TO APPLYCamden City School District is only accepting electronic applications
• Please visit our District Website to submit your resume, cover letter, and references today
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.THE CAMDEN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER (Pending availability of funds and Superintendent's approval)