Job Summary

Plans, directs, and oversees school-based staff and central office staff in the provision of prevention and intervention efforts for school counseling, 504 service planning, attendance and Student Assistance Program efforts and behavioral health services. Works collaboratively with other central offices to ensure that the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) implementation is based on sound, evidence-based principles and practices. Develops strategy, consults on and scales up implementation to strengthen the MTSS framework for behavioral and attendance interventions. Ensures District compliance with the Student Assistance Program and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Chapter 15 of the Pennsylvania School. Seeks funding for and develop strategies to implement District school counseling, attendance and Tier 2 behavioral practices.

Essential Functions

• Determines, defines and outlines procedures for achieving the goals and objectives of the office; establishes areas of responsibility for subordinate staff and monitors their specific elements of accountability.
• Directs the activities of staff engaged in various activities, which support tier 2 behavioral interventions, 504 service planning support, attendance coaching and the Student Assistance Program (SAP).
• Ensures that training is effective in meeting assessed needs and achieving departmental and District objectives.
• Develops and facilitates training for principals, school-based staff and central office staff to support the development of positive learning environments using research-based models, policy and procedure, compliance with 504 implementation and, more broadly on best practices for structuring the MTSS framework to meet student needs for attendance and behavior.
• Participates in the development and implementation of the framework and implementation strategies and database system for student-level intervention through the District's Multi-Tiered System of Support.
• Interfaces with Office of Climate and Safety on effective MTSS strategies and implementation of SAP, attendance, 504 and other behavioral strategies.
• Participates in the development and implementation of evidence-based and trauma-informed models for school climate, prevention and intervention.
• Collaborates with the City of Philadelphia's major child-serving systems; supports interagency collaboration and resource development on behalf of District students and families.
• Collaborates with other District offices to support an integrated approach for 504 service planning, attendance, tier 2 behavior practices, and school counseling.
• Seeks funding, manages grants and ensures compliance with guidelines.
• Develops Tier 2 behavioral health strategies, provides expert consultation and ensures staff support of school counselors for implementation of those strategies.
• Supervises student support specialist to provide expert consultation to District counsel on 504 policy and procedure for resolution of cases and hearings; works across District offices to coordinate the central allocation of resources needed to accommodate students with 504 plans.
• Serves as the District's point of contact for the contracted external developer to coordinate system-wide rollout of, ongoing training, and technical assistance for the electronic 504-documentation system.
• Revises the policies and procedures related to the District's 504, school counseling and SAP handbooks; monitors compliance with and oversees training, consultation and dissemination of this information to school-based and central office staff.
• Provides expertise and advisement for District cases involving students with or eligible for 504 plans, Tier 2 behavioral accommodations and attendance strategies.
• Provides data to the Office of Specialized Services (OSS) as it relates to Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) of IDEA; tracks students receiving CEIS services; collaborates with other CEIS service providers to help maintain the database for tracking students receiving CEIS services; submits reports to OSS as required for IDEA compliance and prepares periodic and special reports concerning 504 compliance.
• Evaluates the performance of subordinate personnel.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in either social services, behavioral health, special education or a related discipline.
• Five years of full-time, paid, professional experience in social services or behavioral health, three of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity and have included developing training for staff in the areas of prevention, intervention, and/or behavioral health and has involved providing technical assistance and the implementation of 504 policy and practice at the elementary and secondary levels.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of :

• the modern principles, practices and procedures of social work, counseling, and/or behavioral health.
• the current trends, techniques and challenges in the area of prevention, intervention, attendance and behavioral health.
• the procedures and guidelines of programs and providers operating under the City's Department of Behavioral Health, Department and Human Services, and Family Court.
• federal, state and local mandates governing program administration.
• federal and state laws, guidelines and regulations governing the management of grants.
• the methods and techniques for effective program administration.
• supervisory methods and techniques.
• federal and state laws, regulations, and procedures specific to public elementary and secondary education, including; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act of 2008; Chapter 15 of the Pennsylvania School Code; and Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) and Student Assistance Program.
• adult learning methods and techniques.

Demonstrated ability to:

• plan, direct, and coordinate the provision of programmatic services to a diverse student population.
• work with various internal departments and external educational partner agencies to channel resources, ideas and recommendations for problem resolution and system creation.
• assess the effectiveness and efficiency of programmatic activities and to make program modifications as needed.
• provide leadership in designing, developing, and executing professional development to meet identified needs and initiatives.
• develop school-based service agreements with accommodations aligned to student needs in compliance with Section 504.
• provide expert consultation to legal counsel on disability policy and procedure as relates to public elementary and secondary education.
• communicate complex disability policy to practitioners; facilitate the application and adaptation of policy to practice.
• design, coordinate, deliver, and adapt (based on needs assessment and continuous improvement) professional development and technical assistance to school-based staff on 504 policy and procedure and behavioral Multi-Tiered System of Supports
• learn and turn-around training on use of an electronic documentation system.
• use an electronic data system to monitor, track, analyze, and report on outcomes.
• work collaboratively with external partners and agencies, in particular those focused on disability compliance.
• learn District policies and procedures related to disability policy and procedure.
• interpret District policies and apply them to individual circumstances and situations in an appropriate manner.

Ability to :

• train and facilitate professional development.
• use a personal computer.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Additional Job Information :
This is a 12-month, non-represented position. The salary grade for this role is 4028.

Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Please note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview.

Additional factors, including, but not limited to, disciplinary action, ability to follow directions, punctuality, and professional conduct will be considered in the evaluation process.

The selected candidate must have no pending disciplinary action or anecdotal record on file and have not been subject to any disciplinary action within the past eighteen (18) months. In addition, the candidate must have an excellent record of attendance and punctuality during the last three (3) years (defined as no more than eighteen (18) occasions of lateness or absence for personal illness within this period of time with the exception of one extended long-term absence)