Assistant Director - Student Support Services

TITLE: Assistant Director of Student Support Services

LOCATION: Keshet Schools
SCHEDULE: M-F 8 am – 5 pm

JOB SUMMARY:
The Assistant Director oversees educational services and operational coordination for Keshet’s therapeutic programs at Keshet Day School at Solomon Schechter. This administrative role includes providing instructional coaching, serving as a designee for IEP meetings, monitoring compliance, and supporting policy implementation aligned with best practices in special education.

The Manager collaborates with the Keshet Education team to integrate academic and related services (e.g., speech, occupational, behavioral therapy) and works with other departments to ensure operational alignment. While not directly supervising teachers, the Manager supports program quality, staff development, and participates in agency-wide planning and committees alongside the Director of Education.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Instructional Leadership

• Coach and support teachers to enhance instruction, curriculum use, and student engagement in line with ISBE standards.
• Work on site at the Northbrook location to assist with individualized instructional and behavioral strategies in collaboration with the Director of Education.
• Represent Keshet in IEP meetings; ensure regulatory compliance and effective coordination with families, staff, and LEAs.
• Monitor special education compliance and support implementation of functional academic and life skills curricula.
• Coordinate ESY programming and support student transitions and mainstreaming with public school partners.

Team Management and Development

• Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration between teachers, therapists, and leadership.
• Support staff onboarding, mentoring, and training; promote professional development in special education best practices.
• Build strong relationships with staff, parents, and districts; foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture aligned with Keshet’s mission.

Program Operational Management

• Oversee daily operations of educational services at the Northbrook or Skokie site; ensure a safe, structured, and supportive

environment.

• Enforce policies and procedures; assist with budgeting and resource allocation.
• Monitor program effectiveness and recommend improvements to enhance student outcomes and efficiency.
• Develop and refine administrative processes; maintain safety and accessibility standards.
• Maintain Safety Care Certification and use de-escalation techniques as needed.
• Perform other duties to support Keshet’s mission.

Qualifications Required

• Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, Administration, or related field preferred.
• Type 75 Certification, eligibility, or Illinois Principal credential required.
• Minimum three years of experience in special education, therapeutic services, or program administration.
• Experience with functional academic/life skills curricula for students with developmental disabilities.
• Ability to complete Safety Care Certification.
• COVID-19 vaccination required unless exempted under ADA or religious grounds; participation in weekly testing if exempt.

ABOUT KESHET

From its core programs for children and adults with intellectual challenges in the Chicago area, to its international consulting
work, Keshet serves over 1,000 individuals with disabilities and touches the lives of many more family members, peers, supporters, and other stakeholders around the globe. Keshet’s local leadership, comprised of nearly 100 lay leaders from all walks of life, provide the inspiration, direction, and funding required to fulfill the organization’s mission: to do whatever is necessary to allow individuals with disabilities to achieve their potential.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned at any time by CEO. Keshet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment practices are in accordance with the laws that prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or any
other status protected by applicable law.