Director of Special Education

JOB TITLE: Director of Special Education WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Deputy Superintendent - Academics & Leadership Development

DEPT. /SCHOOL: Special Education DATE REVISED: October 2023

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Direct & manage the districts special education program including but not limited to Even Start and Special Education. Warrant compliance with all state federal and local requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education/Certification:

Masters degree in education

Mid-management Certification

Special Education certification

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Working knowledge of curriculum and instruction and ability to evaluate instructional program and teaching

effectiveness in regular education Special Education and Early Childhood Programs

Knowledge of state and federal special education law rules regulations

Knowledge of federal programs

Ability to implement interpret policy and implement policy and procedures

Ability to manage personnel and budget

Ability to interpret data

Strong communication computer public relations and interpersonal skills

Experience:

Three years experience as a special education classroom teacher

Two years experience supervising or coordinating a district program preferred

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Administer and provide instructional leadership to all special populations programs.
2. Support and facilitate curriculum/instructional needs and educational goals with human and material resources time and budgetary allocations.
3. Ensure that program personnel are involved in staff development activities and curriculum decisions and productions.
4. Coordinate with the campus instructional staff in the selection maintenance and distribution of materials related to all special populations programs.
5. Initiate and contribute to the writing of innovative instructional programs/grants.
6. Foster collegiality and team building among program staff; encourage their active involvement in the decision-making process.
7. Maintain communication with superintendent staff parents and community.
8. Communicate and promote expectation for high level performance from staff; recognize excellence and achievement; direct professional growth and work jointly to develop and accomplish improvement goals.
9. Maintain a positive relationship with program/grant officers at the federal and state level.
10. Determine and build a common vision with staff for program improvement for all special populations; direct planning activities and implement program collaboratively with staff.
11. Contribute to the recommendation of sound policies directed toward program improvement for all special populations programs.
12. Maintain awareness of the latest research findings materials media equipment technology that may have merit for program improvement for all special populations.
13. Obtain and use evaluative findings including student achievement data to examine program effectiveness for all special populations programs.
14. Be responsible for the selection of departmental staff. When necessary assist campus principals in the interviewing selection and orientation of new staff for all special populations. Assist in the recruitment selection and retention of staff. Make sound recommendations for personnel replacement transfer retention promotion and dismissal.
15. Manage district wide departmental staff effectively. Maintain effective practices in delegating appropriately modeling promoting exemplary performance encouraging personal and professional growth and leadership among staff.
16. Observe employee performance and conduct evaluations with district wide support staff.
17. Define expectations for district wide support staff performance regarding instructional strategies school and home-based services and communication with the public.
18. Interpret implement and comply with the policies established by federal and state law State Board of Education rule local board policy administrative guidelines in the area of special populations programs.
19. Assist campus administrators in the delivery/monitoring of programs based on set parameters for special population programs.
20. Demonstrate support for the districts student management policies and expected student behavior when working with special population students.
21. Attend regular administrative staff meetings and keep staff abreast of program functions and/or changes to ensure that students are served appropriately.
22. Collect organize information and prepare records and reports required by the local district PEIMS the State and/or federal agencies for all special population programs.
23. Develop budgets and cost estimates based upon documented program needs estimated enrollment personnel and other fiscal needs; implement programs within budget limits; maintain fiscal control; accurately report fiscal information; ensure that programs are cost effective and funds are managed effectively.
24. Provide leadership in addressing challenges facing the profession; pursue professional development activities; disseminate ideas and Information to other professionals.
25. Prepare for site monitoring visits from local federal and state program officers.
26. Coordinate evaluation of campus special populations programming utilizing Texas Education monitoring guidelines.
27. Attend community agencies meetings participate in their functions and serve on committees in order to maintain coordination of special populations programs and services.
28. Support ongoing opportunities for parental involvement through program activities.
29. Keep abreast of information offered by professional organizations and conferences. Network with other professionals at the national state and local levels.
30. Regular attendance; must be willing and able to report to work at designated site on a regular daily basis according to established work schedule.
31. Demonstrate behavior that is professional ethical and responsible and serve as a role model for district staff.
32. Articulate the districts mission and goals in the area of special populations programs to the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission.
33. Deal sensitively and fairly with persons from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
34. Prepare review and revise job descriptions for the department.
35. Serve as a resource person in the identification/placement process and or placement/review committees for all special populations programs as needed.
36. Keep the supervisor fully informed of the programs including the unusual and/or potentially litigious situations and needs of assigned students.
37. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervise and evaluate the performance of the all special populations coordinators special education psychological services staff related service providers itinerant personnel support staff and others as assigned. Assist principals in the supervision and evaluation of teachers and aides.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands:

Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); interpret policy procedure and data; coordinate district programs; maintain control under stress; ability to develop compute and manage program budgets.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Repetitive hand motions; prolonged sitting and use of computer; moderate lifting; in-district travel and occasional out-of-district travel; prolonged and irregular hours. Occasional transporting of students in private vehicle. Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases.

School district employees may be required to work from home and use their personal electronic devices.

Required Experience:

Director