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26-27 Director of Student Services (Application deadline 1/31/26)

NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Somerville, MA
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    • 26-27 Director of Student Services (Application deadline 1/31/26)

    Employer Somerville Public Schools Location Somerville, MA Closing date Feb 5, 2026

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    Specialty Student & Scholar Services Position Type Director Hours Full-time Employment Type Permanent Organization Type College / University

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    Job Details

    Application Deadline 1/31/26

     Position Summary

    The Director of Student Services is an executive-level position that provides districtwide leadership to ensure that every student has equitable access to safe, supportive, and effective pathways for academic, behavioral, and social-emotional success. Serving as the district’s chief student-support officer, the Director oversees all systems, programs, and personnel that contribute to students’ physical safety, emotional well-being, and civil rights protections. This includes direct responsibility for student safety initiatives, crisis-response services, MTSS implementation, Section 504 compliance, restorative practices, behavioral and discipline systems, the coordination of clinical and counseling services, mental health, bullying prevention, social-emotional learning, and alternative education pathways. The Director serves as the district’s primary liaison to law enforcement, the fire department, and community agencies, working collaboratively with district leadership to ensure coordinated supports for students. A strong equity mindset-centered on closing opportunity gaps, supporting diverse learners, and strengthening inclusive practices-is foundational to this position.

    Essential Functions & Responsibilities

    The responsibilities listed below reflect the primary duties of the position; the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the role. Additional responsibilities that are similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position may be assigned as needed to meet program, legal, or operational needs.

    • Provide districtwide leadership for student physical and emotional safety, including crisis response, emergency protocols, and collaboration with law enforcement and community partners;
    • Oversee building safety systems, such as fire drills, lockdown procedures, and door security, in partnership with Facilities, Transportation, and Safety Coordinator and the City of Somerville personnel;
    • In collaboration with the Assistant Superintendent for Academics and the Director of Special Education, lead the implementation and continuous improvement of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) across academic, behavioral, and social-emotional domains to align student-support strategies with instructional goals;
    • Coordinate and support weekly Student Support Team (SST) meetings across schools, ensuring alignment with district MTSS structures, consistent protocols, and effective progress monitoring;
    • Provide districtwide leadership for student attendance systems, including chronic absenteeism reduction and coordination of the district’s Dropout Prevention Program and DESE SIMS reporting;
    • Oversee Section 504 evaluation, accommodation, and documentation processes to ensure legal compliance and consistent practices;
    • Coordinate therapeutic supports with outside agencies and vendors and their contracts;
    • Direct the development and implementation of social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, programming, and staff professional learning;
    • Provide leadership for districtwide behavioral and discipline systems, ensuring consistent procedures, restorative practices, and equitable outcomes;
    • Conduct quality assurance reviews of all documentation related to formal hearings, investigations, and compliance processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and legal compliance;
    • Oversee bullying prevention, discriminatory harassment response, and all student conduct processes;
    • Lead the Social Emotional and Behavioral Crisis Team and ensure effective response systems for students experiencing emotional or behavioral crises;
    • Oversee and contribute to the development of alternative education pathways, programs, and other nontraditional learning opportunities;
    • Communicate effectively with families, staff, and community partners while maintaining appropriate confidentiality of student information when needed;
    • Respond to and resolve escalated parent complaints, ensuring timely communication, accurate documentation, and equitable resolution;
    • Develop and facilitate districtwide professional development on mandated student-safety and civil-rights topics, including bullying prevention, harassment, 51A reporting, Child Find, Chapter 222, Section 504, SEL, de-escalation, safety drills, cyber-safety, and vaping prevention;
    • Supervise district counseling and mental-health services, including supporting school and district administrators who directly supervise counselor educators, school counselors, school adjustment counselors, social workers, deans of students, and attendance supervisors;
    • Supervise and support Student Services personnel, including the Assistant Director, Facilities, Transportation, and Safety Coordinator, School Health Services Director, SHS School Counseling Department Chair, Mediation staff, and related teams;
    • Serve as the district’s appellate authority for all student discipline cases under M.G.L. 37H, 37H½, 37H¾, and ensure full compliance with Chapter 222, including documentation, hearings, and parent communication;
    • Serve as the District liaison to the City Health and Human Services Department, Staff and Clinical support;
    • Serve as the District liaison to the MA Department of Children and Families (DCF);
    • Serve as the District liaison to the Somerville Fire Department;
    • Ensure districtwide compliance with federal, state, and district policies related to student safety, civil rights, accommodations, and student support systems;
    • Performs other duties consistent with the scope and responsibility of the position as assigned.

    Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills

    • Deep knowledge of student services, counseling, mental health, and social-emotional development
    • Strong understanding of Section 504, civil rights requirements, and student discipline laws
    • Knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) frameworks, Positive Behavioral Intervention Systems (PBIS), restorative practices, and alternative education pathways
    • Knowledge of various software systems including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Aspen/X2
    • Ability to supervise diverse teams and manage complex student-support systems
    • Ability to use data to diagnose needs, monitor progress, and drive continuous improvement across attendance, MTSS, SEL, behavioral, and safety systems
    • Ability to communicate in multiple languages preferred
    • Skills in leading crisis response, safety planning, and emergency procedures
    • Demonstrated skill in implementing complex initiatives, managing multi-step program rollouts, and ensuring fidelity to district goals and expectations
    • Strong project-management and organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders
    • Commitment to advancing equity, inclusivity, and student-centered practices

    Physical Requirements

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

    Physical Strength Requirements: Moderate - lift, carry, push, or pull 20-50 lbs

    Posture & Movement Requirements: Frequent standing and walking; ability to respond quickly to crisis activity

    Sensory Requirements: Ability to perceive written information (near vision); Ability to perceive distant objects or hazards (far vision); Ability to hear and understand verbal instructions; Ability to speak clearly

    Qualifications & Requirements

    • Massachusetts administrator licensure in one or more of the following required:
    • Supervisor/Director, Principal/Assistant Principal, or equivalent

    Massachusetts licensure in one or more of the following preferred:

    • School Counselor
    • School Adjustment Counselor/Social Worker
    • School Psychologist
    • Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role required
    • Clinical experience working with students and families in an urban setting preferred

    Position Details

    Location: Central Office/District-Wide

    Department: Student Services

    Union Affiliation: Non-Union

    Terms Of Employment

    Work Year: Full-Year (260 Days) - Start Date: 7/1/2026

    Work Hours: 8 hours/day

    FLSA Status: Exempt

    Benefits Status: Eligible

    Salary: Starting at $160,000 per year, commensurate with experience

    Pre-Employment Requirements

    • MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Clearance
    • Fingerprints

    Reporting Relationships

    Position Reports to: Superintendent of Schools

    Position Supervises: Assistant Director of Student Services; Director of School Health; Supervisor of Social Workers; Department Chair for School Counseling at Somerville High School; Facilities, Transportation, and Safety Coordinator; Substance Abuse Specialists; Supervisors of Attendance; Mediation Department

    The Somerville Public School does not discriminate in its programs, facilities or employment of educational opportunities on the bases of race, color, age, religion, disability, preganancy, home status, martital/civil union status, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, place of birth, national origin, ancestry, cultural identity, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' group or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

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Posted 2026-02-01

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