Special Education Team Leader

Dedham Public Schools

Job Title: Special Education Team Leader (ETL)

Responsible to: Asst. Supt. Student Services

Evaluated By: Asst. Supt. Student Services and Building Principal

Primary Functions: Coordinate all aspects of special education programming effectively within assigned schools and share a broader district vision for special education services.

Qualifications:

• A Masters degree from an accredited college or university.
• Licensed as a Special Education Administrator or credentials to satisfy certification requirements for the State of Massachusetts.
• Successful experience as a special educator or related service provider including chairing of meetings performing cognitive achievement and transition assessments using a variety of standardized protocols.
• Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal regulations for special education.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulations and procedures stipulated in the American Disabilities Act (ADA) with emphasis on Section 504.
• Knowledge of community agencies serving students with disabilities.
• Ability to oversee support and evaluate a continuum of special education programs and services designed to meet the requirements set forth by federal and state legislation for educating students with disabilities.
• Superior organizational and interpersonal skills; strong ability to work collaboratively with administrators colleagues parents/guardians and others in the delivery of effective services and the resolution of problems.
• Successful completion of QBS/SafetyCare training preferred.
• Strong background in program development

Major Responsibilities:

• Oversight and Coordination of Special Education Programs and Services
• Pre-referral and Evaluation
• Supervision and Evaluation of Staff
• Professional Expectations
• Other

Details:

• Oversight and Coordination of Special Education Programs and Services
• Provide direct oversight and supervision of building-based special education programs early childhood through Grade 5; model high-caliber instructional practices.
• Provide consultation and leadership regarding disciplinary matters and other emergency situations.
• Collaborate with professional staff regarding their specific special education responsibilities. Provide consultation and support related to programs staff and/or student concerns.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for all DESE monitoring maintains building-based students records review all IEPs.
• For students with identified disabilities participate and support in required procedures for MCAS administration..
• Participate and support in required administrative procedures related to the enrollment and placement of special education students.
• Collaborate with principals and/or data managers to develop individual schedules to ensure compliance and most effective instruction for students with disabilities.
• Coordinate co-teaching models to provide inclusive experiences for students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
• Participate in the chairing and development of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for identified students.
• For students with identified disabilities requiring extended school year services support the planning and implementation of summer programming including staffing and program design.
• Pre-referral and Evaluation
• Provide consultation and support to school teams when specific areas of expertise are required.
• Facilitate referrals and chairs IEP meetings for special education including but not limited to evaluations re-evaluations and independent evaluations.
• Participate in building-based Student Assistant Team (SAT) activities support regulatory pre-referral activities by suggesting accommodations and interventions to classroom teachers.
• Provide consultation/support for building-based specialists and clinicians related to program staff or student concerns.

Supervision and Evaluation of Staff

• In formal and informal settings assist professional staff with learning behavioral familial and social issues impacting student achievement.
• In partnership with building principals and other administrators participate in the interviewing and hiring of special education faculty and staff.
• In partnership with building principals and other administrators participate in assigning paraprofessional roles and positions annually as required.
• In partnership with building principals and other administrators provide feedback and implement evaluation procedures for paraprofessionals and professional staff as required.
• Supervise professional staff completing assessments and writing reports. Provide on-going feedback regarding scoring interpreting and reporting results.
• Refer students and families to appropriate outside agencies for support.
• Professional Expectations
• Spend majority of time directly within assigned schools; travel between buildings as needed.
• Participate in special education leadership meetings as scheduled.
• Collaborate with school principals the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum to plan and implement district-wide professional development activities.
• Plan and coordinate professional development activities for the special education department that complement district-wide strategic objectives.
• Support principals and other professional staff regarding disciplinary practices child abuse and neglect gender identity issues legal and physical custody discrimination and harassment protections and confidentiality.
• Ensures implementation of administrative procedures related to the maintenance and security of special education student records.
• Participate in and complete all mandated DESE monitoring and reporting activities as required.
• Support staff in completing Medicaid data collection and submission as required. Facilitate annual training as needed.
• Manage and maintain assessment materials for professional special education staff. Coordinate annual ordering process.
• Support Dedham Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) activities as requested.
• Occasional night work required; attendance at School Committee meetings when required by the Superintendent.
• Other
• Carries out any other appropriate responsibilities assigned by Asst. Supt. Student Services and/or Building Principal