Westwood High School seeks a Student Services Department Chair to join our caring and innovative community for the 2026-2027 school year. The Student Services Department Chair is a key member of the high school leadership team who oversees all school-wide special education, assessment, and tutoring programs. In this capacity, you will conduct strategic assessments of student/family needs on an ongoing basis; develop, implement, and evaluate programs and services to meet those needs; hire, supervise, develop, and evaluate student services staff; develop and monitor budgets; and develop and maintain school-wide policies and procedures to comply with state and federal regulations. Our ideal candidate is an innovative, organized, collaborative problem-solver and a champion of inclusion.

 

The Student Services Department Chair reports to the district Director of Student Services and Principal. You will also work closely with the Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, and the Academic Council (the school’s instructional leadership team). This is a school-year position (209 days) that includes summer work days.

 

Our District:

Westwood is a welcoming suburban community with an exceptional track record of supporting and celebrating its public schools.  As a district, we are committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, and we understand that a diverse team allows us to serve our community better. We welcome and encourage individuals of every race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status to seek opportunities within our school district.

 

You will join the strong professional learning community of the Westwood Public Schools. In our mission to prepare students for college, career, and civic life, we work collaboratively to provide rich and rigorous curriculum, high-quality instruction, trusting relationships, and authentic educational experiences.  We hold true to our core district values of academic excellence and a commitment to improvement; curiosity and tenacity; and respectful relationships in a caring, collaborative community. 

 

Our School:

Westwood High School is a thriving community of hardworking and thoughtful students, families, and staff. With approximately 900 students in grades 9 - 12, the school maintains a small-school feel while offering a comprehensive array of academic programs, co-curricular activities, and support services.  Our educators model and encourage a deep investment in learning.  Coursework focuses on preparing students for college and careers while also providing them with opportunities to try new things and explore their passions in depth.  WHS is a proud METCO school, with strong program leadership and an unwavering commitment to supporting the values of the nation's oldest and most successful public school racial integration program.  

 

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in education administration, special education or related field
• Massachusetts DESE licensure as an Administrator and Special Educator
• SEI endorsement preferred
• 5 years of experience in K-12 education required; some leadership experience within a high school preferred
• Thorough knowledge of current state and federal regulations and legal issues regarding students with disabilities
• Clear understanding and knowledge of disabilities and current practices/models for educational and clinical intervention; the ability to articulate a clear vision and plan for the effective implementation of that vision
• Ability to skillfully and thoughtfully handle a multitude of varying and complex issues with creativity and empathy
• Demonstrated commitment to celebrating diversity, pursuing equity, and promoting integration
• Familiarity with trauma-sensitive educational practices

 

Responsibilities:

 

Student Achievement: Diagnosis and Planning

• Provide effective leadership and vision in the area of special education and related support services
• Identify a range of appropriate data sources and effectively analyze the data for student-centered decision-making
• Coordinate the strategic assessment of school-wide special education needs on an ongoing basis and the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services to meet those needs
• Develop and implement an organizational structure, guidelines, and procedures for meeting all local, state, and federal regulations and reporting requirement

 

Student Achievement: Learning, Engagement, and Behavior

• Supervise the development of individual education programs for special needs students
• Assist teachers and departments in the use of both formal and informal assessment data to inform instruction and identify students in need of additional support
• Continually monitor students’ progress, including overseeing screening and referral for evaluation and functioning of evaluation teams, and use it to meet the needs of individual students
• Monitor and consult with student support teams
• Cultivate authentic, supportive relationships with students
• Work with staff and families to create a collaborative, team-based approach to student support 
• Forge connections with  students and families both in school and at co-curricular and community events

 

Supervision, Evaluation, and Professional Development

• Recruit, hire, develop, supervise, evaluate, and retain diverse and talented members of the Student Services department
• Coach educators in the development of growth plans that promote professional growth and student learning
• Assist department members in the handling of day-to-day problems of instructions and guidance, and act as a resource for them
• Make frequent classroom visits and engage in post-observation conversations that encourage educator reflection and continuous improvement
• Monitor and provide appropriate consultation services for the department
• Work with school leaders to design professional development sessions that support students’ academic, social and emotional growth and development

 

Priority Management and Operations

• Oversee the administration of Extended School year, tutorial programs, and other school projects skillfully and efficiently
• Manage the registration, placement, and orientation programs that facilitate the smooth transition for students entering the high school
• Prioritize tasks and forge and support effective teams; create ownership through delegation and participation at all levels
• Communicate effectively, honestly, and transparently with all constituencies, including staff, parents, and community members
• Maintain the student records in an organized, accurate, and timely fashion and in accordance with student and parental rights under law
• In cooperation with the Director of Student Services and the Principal, develop and manage the high school Student Services budget, including all special education grants
• Assume other responsibilities assigned by the Director of Student Services and building Principal

 

JOB ENVIRONMENT 

Work takes place in classrooms and other building rooms/areas, including offices, auditorium, gym, lunchroom and hallways, within a school building setting, primarily indoors.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires sufficient vision to read printed documents and to view detail on a computer screen for extended periods.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, and reaching, as well as carrying and occasionally lifting up to 30 lbs.  
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and in the classroom.
• Ability to hear sounds clearly up to twenty feet.
• Travel among buildings may be required.

The Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.