Interim Director of Student Services

Position: Interim Director of Student Services

Position Type: Full-time, Exempt

Department: Student Services

Location: Watertown Public Schools

Reports to: Superintendent of Schools

Term: Interim appointment for the 2026/2027 School Year; length of assignment and start/end dates to be determined with the Superintendent

Compensation: To be negotiated with the Superintendent, commensurate with experience

About Watertown Public Schools:

Watertown Public Schools serves approximately 2,900 students from Early Steps preschool through grade 12 in a diverse, close-knit community just west of Boston. Nearly one in five WPS students receives special education services under an IEP, and the district also serves significant populations of English learners and students from low-income families. WPS is committed to an inclusive model of student services, grounded in the belief that students with disabilities and other support needs should learn alongside their peers, and the district is in the midst of a sustained, community-driven effort to strengthen special education practice and rebuild trust with families.

General Description:

The Interim Director of Student Services provides leadership and continuity for the District''s Student Services Department during a period of transition. Reporting to the Superintendent, the Interim Director oversees the day-to-day operation of Special Education, Section 504, and related student services programs, ensuring continued compliance with state and federal requirements and continuity of support for students, families, and staff.

This is a bridge role. The Interim Director is expected to maintain existing programs and systems while strengthening relationships with staff and families and to support the District''s ongoing work on special education improvement and family engagement.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Oversight

• Provide day-to-day leadership and supervision of the Student Services Department, including Special Education, Section 504, and grant-funded programs.
• Supervise and support Student Services administrative and professional staff, preserving current personnel assignments and reporting lines.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for principals, staff, families, and outside agencies on Student Services matters.
• Serve as the Title VI and Title IX Coordinator
• Advise the Superintendent on department operations, emerging issues, and matters requiring District-level attention.
• Represent the District at relevant Board, Committee, and community meetings as assigned.

Compliance & Operations

• Ensure continued compliance with IDEA, Section 504/ADA, and applicable state and federal special education requirements.
• Oversee the maintenance and security of department records, including IEPs, 504 plans, and required state and federal reporting.
• Monitor the Special Education and Student Services budget in coordination with District finance staff
• Serve as the Keeper of Records
• Support the continuation of active grants and their required compliance reporting.
• Serve as the District''s Homeless Liaison and fulfill other statutory liaison roles assigned to the position.

Program Continuity & Relationships

• Sustain current special education service delivery, staffing structures, and student placements.
• Continue existing social-emotional programming and multi-tiered systems of support already in place.
• Build trust with staff and families by being visible, responsive, and consistent, and by carrying forward the District''s active family engagement and communication efforts.
• Coordinate with building administrators to address time-sensitive student and program needs as they arise.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Qualifications Required:

• Master''s degree in Special Education, School Administration, or a related field.
• Current Massachusetts administrator licensure appropriate to the role, or eligibility to obtain.
• Significant experience in special education administration, including knowledge of IEP development, evaluation, and compliance requirements.
• Prior experience in a district-level or building-level Student Services leadership role preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to step into an established department and maintain continuity.

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Additional Information:

Given the interim nature of this position, the hours, schedule, and compensation for this role will be negotiated directly with the Superintendent based on the selected candidate''s availability and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.