Assistant Director of Student Services

Are you looking for a career that makes your heart smile on a daily basis?
Come and work with our amazing students and staff at The Vanguard School!

Founded in 1959 and located on a beautiful 28-acre campus in Malvern, PA, VFES and the Vanguard School are dedicated to the growth and development of children and young adults with a variety of special needs. Through a collaborative and holistic approach to each individual served by the continuum of educational, recreation, and employment services offered, VFES commits to helping all students and participants develop a strong sense of self-worth in their communities in an environment driven by respect, appreciation, learning, and growth.

Title: Assistant Director of Student Services
Program/Dept: Vanguard School
Reports to: Director of Education
Work Year/Day: 12 month, 8 hours per day
FLSA Status: Exempt

Minimum Qualifications:
1. Master’s Degree in clinical or school psychology. Doctorate preferred.
2. Current, valid Pennsylvania certification in school psychology. Licensed psychologist preferred.
3. Current PA Administrative Certification (or willing to pursue)
4. Minimum of 3 years of progressive leadership experience in special education or student support services, ideally in a specialized or therapeutic setting
5. Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and navigating complex systems of care and support
6. Deep knowledge of special education law, inclusive practices, trauma-informed care, and individualized service planning

Position Summary
The Assistant Director of Student Services is a leadership role responsible for the strategic oversight, coordination, and continuous improvement of student support services in a special education setting. This individual ensures that services are inclusive, legally compliant, trauma-informed, and responsive to the unique academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and therapeutic needs of students. Reporting to the Director of Education, the Assistant Director of Student Services leads a multidisciplinary team and collaborates with families, staff, and external partners to create an environment where all students can thrive.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy:

• Provide vision and direction for student services, including, counseling, psychology, social work and family engagement
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Education and other school leaders to align student services with educational goals and individualized learning needs.
• Lead the development and implementation of evidence-based systems of support to proactively address barriers to student success.
• Participate in schoolwide strategic planning, policy development, and leadership meetings.

Program Oversight & Compliance:

• Ensure the compliant and high-quality implementation of IEPs and other service plans -as it relates to student services- in accordance with IDEA, ADA, and state regulations.
• Supervise and support student services staff through coaching, clinical consultation, professional development, and performance evaluation.
• Monitor data related to service delivery, attendance, and student progress to inform decision-making and drive improvement.
• Support crisis response and behavioral support planning within the school wide behavior support system

Training and Organizational Development:

• Maintain current knowledge of research and best practices in related fields
• Actively participate in the implementation of new initiatives in best practices
• Develop and support staff trainings as it relates to mental health, trauma informed care, school-based interventions, and culturally responsive practices

VFES offers a competitive salary, full comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, PTO, a robust Employee Assistance Program, and a generous annual contribution to each employees’ 403(b). Top that off with team-building events, staff outings, and working alongside professionals who care deeply about our mission and core values: Communication and Listening, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Ethics, Professionalism, and Teamwork!

VFES and The Vanguard School is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. We will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations as part of this commitment. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment, be sure to let us know. We're excited to hear from you!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $100,000 - $120,000