Director of Student Services

Company: Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter School
Location: Gary
Posted on: April 4, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter Schools is looking for a Director of Student Support Services. Required Qualifications: - Five (5) years teaching Special Education experience with proven track record of raising scholar achievement scores, and an active Special Education Teaching License - Proven success in turning best practices into outstanding academic results - Master’s Degree in Education, Education Administration or Teaching The Director of Student Services (DSS) is an exemplary program coordinator and effective support responsible for ensuring all scholars realize their full potential. The DSS is the Leader of the student support and Special Education team that develops and monitors a comprehensive program of high-quality academic and socio-emotional services that meet each scholar's identified and targeted needs. The DSS works directly with the school Administrative Team to establish effective communication and accountability structures across school teams for the growth and development of Special Education, and ELL Teams, as well as in monitoring the MTSS (Multi-tiered Support System) program established. The DSS is a next generation educator who is a critical thinker and innovative problem solver with a high level of emotional intelligence. Responsibilities: - Create and supervise the school’s Response to Intervention program for scholars needing additional academica and/or social support; coordinate referral system with local, state and federal requirements. - Manage, coach, and develop the school’s Title I, Special Education, and ELL teams to implement a comprehensive program that ensures exceptional scholar achievement and monitor its effectiveness. - Develop and oversee the case management system for all scholars on IEPs and 504 Plans, including overseeing manifestation hearings. Coordinate the assessment program for scholars with identified accommodations as outlined in the IEP or 504 Plan. - Manage and maintain the reporting system for all special education and related services. - Manage the procurement of 3rd party services needed to support special education services; monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these services. - Collaborate with Director of Teacher Leadership to ensure that standards and skill sets addressed in lesson plans are being anchored into daily remediation. - Serve on School Leadership Team; collaborate with team to determine services, programs, and intervention needs. - Plan and lead staff learning experiences through grade level and school-wide meetings. - Observe in classrooms and provide coaching and feedback to intervention teachers. - Discuss strategies to use during intervention and model effective instructional strategies to use during small group instruction. Work with instructional staff to plan for and modify instruction of scholars with IEPs and 504 Plans. - Ensure that all staff receive mandated professional development for working with scholars with IEPs and 504 Plans, as well as additional professional development that meets the differentiated instructional needs of individual scholars to fully support the academic and emotional growth of all scholars. - Collaborate with other directors and regional leaders to share best practices and knowledge. DATA ANALYSIS - Collaborate with school leadership team to develop and monitor the school’s strategic plan aligned with school and network goals. - Use data systems to organize and analyze data used to inform decision making, program modification and planning for targeted, differentiated instruction. - Meet regularly with intervention staff to increase their knowledge and use of data, as well as to discuss data trends to inform program implementation, modification and planning for targeted and differentiated instruction. - Assist with the creation, completion and presentation of school reports, as well as required reports for the district and charter authorizer. OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP - Foster strong relationships with families and collaborate with school leadership team to provide on-going programming that reflects families’ needs and interests. - Initiate and maintain timely communication with families concerning scholar progress and to provide a clear picture of the curriculum and high expectations. - Work collaboratively with families and other members of the community to involve them in academic activities, to support the success of a diverse scholar population and to bring in volunteers and additional resources. Management - Hire, train, and evaluate intervention staff in accordance with NWILCS policies and procedures. - Create and monitor Special Education, Title I, and ELL staff’s schedules. - Monitor Special Education, Title I, and ELL budgets; maintain accurate records. - Organize and update Special Education, Title I, and ELL required documents. - Attend all Special Education, Title I, and ELL state conferences and mandatory meetings. - Serve as liaison between the school and Special Education, Title I, and ELL Department of Education officials. - Collaborate with colleagues (leadership and school-wide meetings, professional development days, the professional development institute) to continuously improve personal practice, instruction, assessment, and scholar achievement, as well as the overall goals and mission of the school and the network. PROFESSIONALISM - Access meaningful learning experiences (current theory, research, and developments in relevant academic disciplines, professional development opportunities, and ideas from colleagues and supervisors) and exercise judgment in accepting findings as valid for application in leadership and teacher improvement. - Reflect critically upon leadership experience, identify areas for further professional development as part of a professional development plan that is linked to school and network goals, access meaningful learning experiences, and listen thoughtfully to other viewpoints and respond constructively to suggestions and criticisms. - Use feedback to inform and update Individual Professional Development Plan. - Fulfill all outlined and related functions professionally and thoroughly. ___________________________________________________________________________ Core Competencies: - Mission Focused - Driven towards Excellence - Influential - Relationship Builder - Organized & Planned - Creative - Constant Learner Knowledge & Skills: - Strong understanding of Special Education, intervention, Title I, and ELL best practices and regulations - Ability to lead and manage adults to achieve desired outcomes - Ability to analyze data to target instruction and inform decision making - Ability to lead professional development for teachers and provide feedback - Data managements tools, organizational tools, computer skills (Word, Excel, Access, - PowerPoint and Outlook)

Keywords: Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter School, Arlington Heights , Director of Student Services, Education / Teaching , Gary, Illinois