Director Of Student Support
Job Title:
Director of Student Support Services (SY26-27)
Date Posted:
3/30/2026
Job Function:
Special Education
Grade Level:
Elementary/Middle School
Job Type:
Full-Time
Start Date:
2026-27
ABOUT MERIDIAN
Founded in 1999 by a group of dedicated volunteers, Meridian Public Charter School is one of Washington, DC’s oldest continuously operating public charter schools. Serving students in grades K–8, Meridian has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to educating the whole child through its ALL approach - Arts, Language, and Literacy.
Meridian operates across two campuses (Elementary and Middle) housed in historic buildings that reflect the school’s deep roots in the city. With our elementary campus located in the historic U Street Corridor of downtown Washington, DC, and our Middle School Campus located between the Petworth and Columbia Heights neighborhoods, Meridians Campuses are both located in vibrant neighborhoods known for its rich cultural history, diverse dining options, and bustling small business community.
WHAT NEW STAFF CAN EXPECT
Meridian is deeply committed to attracting and retaining talented educators and professionals who believe in equity, growth, and impact. New staff join a collaborative, mission-driven environment where expectations are clear, support is intentional, and leadership is encouraged at every level.
Staff can expect:
● Competitive pay and benefits within the DC public charter landscape
● Ongoing professional development and instructional coaching
● A culture rooted in curiosity, resilience, and leadership
● Thoughtful onboarding and systems designed to support effectiveness and
growth
A SCHOOL THAT STANDS OUT
What truly distinguishes Meridian among DC public charter schools is its ability to blend academic rigor, artistic expression, community connection, and educator investment within a historic and dynamic urban setting. Meridian is a place where students are known, staff are supported, families are valued, and learning is driven by purpose. Together, Meridian’s students, families, and staff form a vibrant learning community; committed to excellence, grounded in equity, and united by a shared belief in what’s possible when Arts, Language, and Literacy lead the way.
Join us as we continue to take Meridian from good to great! For additional information about Meridian visit mpcs-dc.org.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Meridian is seeking a Director of Student Support Services for school year 2026-27 school year. The Director of Student Support Services will be responsible for duties in the following areas:
Oversee the successful implementation of the Inclusion Program:
- Develops and monitors the overall vision for special education and in collaboration with all stakeholders
- Assumes overall management responsibility for program design, compliance standards including instructional programs designed to maximize student performance
- Provides strong leadership in the oversight of the day to day operations of the special education and ELL programs
- Encourages the development, publication, and use of new instructional procedures and/or techniques designed to enhance special education department's programmatic goals
- Maintains positive, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationships with the administration, instructional staff, students, parents, and representatives of resource agencies within the community
- Collaborates with school leadership teams to assist with the overall evaluation of inclusionary practices in their schools to identify and develop strategies for improvement
- Collaborates with school leadership to conduct co-observations and instructional rounds to support academic and behavioral program improvements
- Evaluates on an ongoing basis, the total special education program, curriculum, procedures, and individual students' needs and achievements
- Ensures curriculum renewal is continuous and responsive to student needs Identify students with possible exceptionalities through regular student data reviews and teacher check-ins, MTSS process, and screenings
- Ensures that Meridian PCS provides a continuum of services for students with disabilities
Details:
- Works with the operations and enrollment staff to ensure that new student information is collected and reviewed in a timely fashion
- Ensures that the referral process is timely and thorough and that eligibility decisions are well-made
- Ensures that IEPs are well-developed and appropriate for students with disabilities. Oversees the drafting of IEP goals, accommodations/modifications, and service-hours by service-providers, inclusion teachers, and general education teachers so that they both match recommendations from the eligibility meeting. Completes paperwork during IEP meetings with meticulous attention to details
- Coordinates scheduling of all special education services for students with IEPs.
- Works with OSSE Placement Specialists to complete the placement process efficiently if a more restrictive environment becomes necessary for a particular student
- Oversees the timely implementation of IEPs by inclusion teachers and service-providers:
- Observes and provides feedback
- Facilitates and tracks communication between service-providers and teachers and/or parents
- Monitors the quality and compliance of paperwork in IEP folders, reviewing quarterly in alignment with OSSE guidance
- Trains staff and related service-providers in the system
- Encourages regular meetings between teaching teams and inclusion teachers/related service providers
- Oversees monthly IEP progress reporting by inclusion teachers and service-providers
- Convenes review IEP meetings annually or more often as needed
- Ensures that IEP accommodations and modifications are shared with all appropriate personnel
- Ensures that IEP accommodations and modifications are provided to students with IEPs during testing
- Hires staff and contract with organizations that will provide the highest-quality services to students
- Holds an annual professional development session for all staff in inclusion and the special education process at Meridian PCS (in the summer or first month of school)
- Coordinates and monitors "Child Find" Program and responsible for carrying out multi disciplinary team decisions for all school placements
- Implements mediation, dispute resolution sessions, and due process procedures according to legal guidelines
- Communicates proactively with Meridian PCS’ special education counsel
- Analyzes special education student data (e.g., referrals made, student demographics, student achievement) and other school data to ensure Meridian's position as a provider of excellence in the area of special education.
- Uses the information gleaned from analysis in making programmatic recommendations in other areas
- Summarizes, interprets and disseminates current developments in education through reading of professional journals, participation in professional development, and involvement in professional organizations
- Works with the ML team to identify the ELL student roster and the appropriate level of services for students based on relevant data (ACCESS testing, WIDA screening tools, standardized testing, classroom performance, other)
- Determines the caseload and classroom partnerships of each ML teacher
- Through regular meetings with the ML team, manages the planning for ML services, the implementation of services, the assessment of the program, and the documentation of the services
- Oversees monthly progress reporting and annual ACCESS testing program for ML students
- Ensures that parents of ML students feel both informed about the ML program and engaged in the larger school community of families
- Plans programs or sessions specifically for ML families
- Ensures that Meridian’s ML statistics mirror those of national trends or are better than national trends
- Meets with the Manager of Student Health & Wellness regularly to coordinate activities that impact students receiving student support services
- Continues to revise the process to meet the needs of staff and students and to reflect the most current research in general education interventions
- Creates 504 plans for students with disabilities who qualify for them, managing and supporting an annual process of development, implementation, and review
- Collaborates with Principals to hire and manage the Student Support Team members
- Provides trainings to SST members in areas identified through observation (e.g., IEP goal-writing, using assessment to drive instruction, etc.)
- Managse the ELL and Special Education Budgets, securing all possible funding sources and serving as liaison to OSSE, DCPS and DCPCSB in matters related to special education and ELL
- Remains up-to-date in special education and ELL law and regulations, including NCLB, IDEIA, District of Columbia Chapter 30 law and policies, and OSSE Policies and Procedures
- Prepares materials to share with auditors and compliance reviewers regarding the special education program and the ELL program
- Networks with other charter school and public school Special Education Coordinators, Student Support Directors, ELL Coordinators
- Participates in school-wide leadership committees
Perform all other duties as assigned by the Chief Academic Officer or his/her/their designee.
QUALIFICATIONS
Ideal candidates will have the following education and experience:
- Bachelors Degree required, advanced degree preferred
- 5+ years administrative or supervisory experience in special education, including extensive experience in developing standards-based IEPs, delivering specialized instruction, implementing evidence-based instructional practices and programs for students with disabilities, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, and measuring student progress
- 10+ years of senior leadership and management experience at the school, district, or state level
- Knowledge of and experience with the frameworks of Response to Intervention (RtI) and Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS)
- Expert knowledge of federal and state PK-12 special education laws and regulations
- Strong ability to use existing and new data systems and analysis tools, e.g. Microsoft Excel and EasyIEP
- Commitment to the Meridian’s mission and serving all students
- Ability to work independently
- Meticulous organizational and problem-solving skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Proven track record of leading a team and being a strong team player
- Ability to connect with students and adults across difference and interact with others with grace, competence, and warmth
Other Preferred Qualifications
- Oral and written proficiency in Spanish;
- Experience working in a PreK3 through 8th-grade setting
Core Competencies
- Collaboration and Influence: Builds strong relationships across levels; effectively communicates and influences outcomes.
- Equity Lens in Education: Demonstrates cultural competence and a commitment to equity-centered practices.
- Continuous Improvement: Actively seeks feedback, identifies opportunities for innovation, and adapts practices based on evolving needs.
Salary & Benefits
Meridian offers competitive compensation and benefits aligned with DC charter sector standards. More information about working at Meridian is on our website.
Salary range: $102,730 - $115,000.
Meridian staff members also have opportunities to earn additional income through leadership projects and other school-based initiatives.
How to Apply
Do you embody a love of learning? Do you believe in the importance of educating the whole child? Do you want to help Meridian continue to grow from good to great? Apply today!
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
Meridian Public Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The School’s EEO policy prohibits discrimination in
employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, marital status, or any
other basis prohibited by applicable law. Meridian PCS prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and
will reasonably accommodate applicants with a disability, upon request, and will also ensure reasonable accommodation for
employees with a disability. Under this policy, equal employment opportunity is required in recruitment, hiring, training and
development, promotion, termination, compensation, benefits, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment
as required by applicable law.