The West Seneca Central School District has an anticipated vacancy for a Director of Special Programs.  The ideal candidate will provide leadership and coordination for a comprehensive system of student support designed to ensure that all students receive timely, appropriate, and effective academic, social-emotional, behavioral, special education and related services.  The Director leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of district-wide systems that support early identification, intervention, progress monitoring, and data-informed decision-making to improve student outcomes and promote student success.

The Director provides leadership for the district's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and works collaboratively with building administrators, teachers, special education and pupil personnel staff, related service providers, families, and district leadership to ensure a coordinated continuum of services and supports.  The position provides particular attention to early learning, early intervention, and effective transitions across educational levels while supporting systems and practices that address the needs of students throughout the PreK-12 continuum.

The Director supports the development of effective instructional and intervention practices, assists in the evaluation and refinement of student-support systems, and promotes collaboration among general education, special education, pupil personnel, and related service providers.  The Director also provides leadership related to UPK, CPSE, transitions, and other district-wide student support systems as assigned.

The successful candidate must be able to work collaboratively with colleagues, use data-driven decision-making and have an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement to benefit students.

This is a full-time, 12-month administrative position with a competitive salary and benefits paid according to the West Seneca School Administrators' Association's collective bargaining agreement.

The hiring committee timeline is as follows:

• Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Screening Interviews

• Friday, October 2, 2026, Committee Interviews

• Monday, October 5, 2026, Finalist Interviews

• Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Board of Education Recommendation 

• Tentative Start Date — as soon as practicable

Experiences & Skills:

• Experience in educational leadership, student support, special education, pupil personnel services, and/or early learning is preferred;
• Knowledge of early identification, intervention, and support practices across the PreK–12 continuum;
• Knowledge of CPSE, CSE, special education processes, and appropriate transition practices;
• Comprehensive knowledge of Federal and New York State laws, rules, regulations, and mandates governing education and student services, including Part 200 regulations;
• Knowledge of current research, best practices, assessment, professional development, and instructional strategies;
• Knowledge of the continuum of special education programs and services;
• Knowledge of related and support services;
• Experience with instructional coaching and/or supporting teachers in meeting the diverse needs of students;
• Knowledge and experience with Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), including academic, behavioral, and social-emotional systems;
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and systems-thinking skills;
• Ability to use data to identify student needs, evaluate programs and services, and support continuous improvement;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective systems of collaboration and communication across departments, buildings, and disciplines.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Provides leadership and coordination for:

• District-wide systems of student support, intervention, and early identification;
• The development, implementation, and continuous improvement of MTSS and other tiered systems of support;
• Academic, behavioral, social-emotional, special education, and related service supports;
• Early learning and intervention initiatives, including UPK, CPSE, and transitions between educational levels;
• Effective systems for monitoring student progress and using data to inform instructional and intervention decisions;
• Collaboration among general education, special education, pupil personnel, related service providers, administrators, and families;
• Professional learning, instructional support, and coaching related to student needs and effective intervention practices;
• Evaluation and continuous improvement of programs, services, structures, and systems designed to support student success.

Leads and oversees district programs and services related to:

• Early learning and early intervention;
• Special education programs and services across the PreK–12 continuum;
• Multi-Tiered System of Supports, including academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports;
• Section 504 accommodation plans and related processes;
• CPSE and CSE processes and procedures, as assigned;
• Related and support services;
• Student transitions between programs, grade levels, and educational settings;
• Identification of student needs and development of appropriate interventions and supports;
• Program development, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

Provides administrative leadership by:

• Supervising and evaluating assigned personnel;
• Supporting building administrators and staff in addressing student needs and implementing effective interventions;
• Facilitating collaboration among district departments and school buildings;
• Participating in and/or facilitating committees, meetings, and advisory groups;
• Monitoring compliance with applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Reviewing student and program data to identify trends, needs, and opportunities for improvement;
• Developing recommendations for district leadership regarding programs, services, staffing, and resources;
• Supporting the development and implementation of district policies, procedures, and practices related to student support;
• Performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.

The West Seneca Central School District seeks an innovative executive leader to provide district-wide leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for Special Education, Pupil Personnel Services, and related student and family support programs.

The Executive Director of Student Support Services ensures compliance with federal and New York State laws and regulations while leading the continuous improvement of programs, structures, and systems that support the academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and physical needs of students.  The position provides supervision and evaluative oversight of administrators and staff across Special Education, Pupil Personnel Services, related services, and other student support programs; oversees CSE/CPSE processes, 504 accommodations, MTSS, student and family services, and required state and federal reporting; and collaborates with district leaders, staff, families, and community partners to ensure equitable access to high-quality supports and services.  The Executive Director also provides strategic leadership in staffing, budgeting, professional development, program evaluation, and resource allocation to ensure that student support services are effective, fiscally responsible, and aligned with district priorities.

This is a full-time, probationary appointment with salary and benefits determined pursuant to the Personal Services Agreement by and between the successful candidate and the Superintendent of Schools with the approval of the West Seneca Central School District's Board of Education.  Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with the experience of the selected candidate.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversee District student and family services programs for Special Education and Pupil Services, including but not limited to:

• Special Education and Support Programs Pre-K through age 22;
• 504 Accommodation plans;
• Multi-Tiered System of Supports, both academic and social-emotional learning, (in collaboration with the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction);
• Management of data for State and Federal reports;
• Student registration, residency and McKinney-Vento;
• Family Support Center;
• Staffing to ensure maximum efficiency, effectiveness and fiscal responsibility;
• Administer the Annual Professional Performance Review process for the certificated instructional and administrative staff. 

Supervision and evaluative oversight of:

• Administrators - Director of PPS, Special Education Directors
  • Teachers - special education, vision, hearing and English as a New Language (ENL) teachers;
  • PPS - school psychologists, counselors, social workers;
  • Therapists - speech, occupational and physical therapists;
  • Medical personnel - District physician, registered nurses, licensed nurse practitioners;
  • Others - outside consultants, residency officer

The successful candidate must be able to identify and solve problems, establish priorities, implement solutions, evaluate results, and have a high level of organization. 

The timeline for all interested candidates is as follows.  The hiring committee will meet and screen applications as early as September 28, 2026.  On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, screening interviews will take place for selected candidates and the second round, committee interviews are scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026.  Finalists will meet with our district's Executive Leadership Team on Monday, October 5, 2026, with a new hire recommendation/appointment presented to the West Seneca Central School District's Board of Education at their October 6, 2026, board meeting.  We are looking for a tentative start date as soon as practicable.