Director of Special Education

ALBANY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE

Laramie Wyoming

JOB DESCRIPTION: Director of Special Education

POSITION SUMMARY:

• The Director of Special Education is responsible for the leadership coordination and administration of the Districts special education programs and services. The Director ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and all applicable federal and state laws and regulations governing services for students with disabilities.
• The Director oversees the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 plans supervises special education personnel coordinates special education staffing across the district and collaborates with school leaders to ensure appropriate services and supports are provided to students with disabilities.
• The Director of Special Education reports to the Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership and Performance.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director of Special Education:

1. Provides leadership and oversight for the Districts special education programs and services to ensure compliance with IDEA Section 504 and applicable federal and state regulations. *
2. Oversees the development implementation and monitoring of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 plans for eligible students. *
3. Ensures districtwide compliance with timelines procedural safeguards evaluation requirements and documentation requirements for special education and Section 504 services. *
4. Supervises and evaluates special education staff including special education teachers related service providers and other special services personnel as required. *
5. Coordinates and evaluates special education staff including special education teachers related service providers and other special services personnel. *
6. Provides guidance and support to principals regarding special education programming staffing and compliance responsibilities. *
7. Oversees the evaluation and identification process for students suspected of having disabilities and ensures appropriate assessment practices are followed. *
8. Serves as the Districts lead administrator for IEP meetings MDT teams manifestation determinations and other special education decision-making processes when necessary. *
9. Represents the District in special education mediation due process hearings complaints and other dispute resolution processes. *
10. Maintains communication and coordination with the Wyoming Department of Education and other state and federal agencies regarding special education services. *
11. Oversees contracts and services provided by outside agencies and providers delivering special education or related services to District students. *
12. Monitors program effectiveness through data analysis and ensures continuous improvement of services for students with disabilities. *
13. Develops and implements districtwide procedures guidelines and training related to special education and Section 504 compliance. *
14. Coordinates professional development for administrators teachers and staff regarding special education laws procedures and best practices. *
15. Oversees preparation and submission of required state and federal reports related to special education programs. *
16. Develops and administers budgets associated with special education programs grants and federal IDEA funding. *
17. Maintains appropriate records and documentation related to students receiving special education services. *
18. Collaborates with other district departments to ensure coordination of services including transportation nursing counseling and behavioral support programs. *
19. Serves as a liaison between the District and parents community agencies and service providers regarding special education services. *
20. Attends meetings of the Superintendents cabinet. *
21. Follows the policies and procedures of the school(s) and the District. *
22. Participates in professional growth (such as professional organizations coursework workshops and conferences) and other professional activities (such as school and/or District committees taskforces in-depth studies or councils). *
23. Demonstrates a sense of professional responsibility such as demonstrating ethical behavior; providing accurate data and reports when needed; meeting deadlines; maintaining confidentiality; caring for the equipment and materials; and dressing appropriately; exhibiting sensitivity to those with special needs; maintaining good professional relationships with parents and community members; and presenting a good role model. *
24. Other duties as assigned.

* Denotes essential functions

(The tasks listed under the heading of Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities are examples of the variety and general nature of duties performed by employees in positions allocated to the classification. This specification should not be interpreted to describe all the duties which may be assigned to an employee at this level.)

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state laws governing special education including IDEA and Section 504
• Special education programming and service delivery models
• Evaluation and eligibility procedures for students with disabilities
• Behavior intervention strategies and inclusive instructional practices
• Budget development and grant administration
• Program evaluation and data analysis

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply federal and state special education regulations
• Communicate effectively with administrators staff parents and outside agencies
• Lead teams and facilitate collaborative decision-making processes
• Manage complex compliance requirements and documentation systems
• Resolve disputes and manage conflict related to special education services
• Develop and deliver professional development

ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Masters degree in special education educational leadership or a related field. Must hold or be eligible to hold a principal or district leadership certification issued by the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board.

Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience administering or teaching special educations programs is required.

Preferred: Doctorate degree in related field and successful experience in a school leadership position.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The Physical Abilities and Working Conditions listed in this section are representative of but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and Working Conditions which may be required for this position. Albany County School District #1 encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment for this position and need reasonable accommodation of those disabilities to contact the Chief Human Resources Officer for further information.

• Vision: (which may be corrected) to read small print; view a computer screen for prolonged periods.

• Hearing: (which may be corrected) to answer telephones and tolerate exposure to noisy conditions.

• Speech: to be understood in face-to-face communications; to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone.

• Upper Body Mobility: use hands and fingers to feel grasp and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers twist and bend at the wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn raise and lower the head.

• Strength: to lift push pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 15 or more pounds on a frequent basis.

• Environmental Requirements: encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors and outdoors.

• Mental Requirements: read write understand interpret and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy compare compile and coordinate information and records.

• Additional Work Conditions and Physical Abilities: May require travel to multiple sites.

EVALUATION

• Evaluation of this position shall be by the Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership and Performance.

Required Experience:

Director