Director of Special Education serving Brighton Area Schools

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will utilize leadership supervisory and administrative skills to support and advance special educational programming county-wide initiatives and technical assistance for local district staff students and families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Note: These duties and responsibilities are judged to be essential functions in terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act or ADA. To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by such a person. Other duties may be assigned.

• Demonstrates unwavering ethics and integrity paired with a solution-oriented mindset that actively eliminates barriers and creates meaningful opportunities that support the Livingston ESA mission and vision.
• Develops and administers special education programs and services in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) and Section 504.
• Collaborates regularly and intentionally with other special education leaders in Livingston County.
• Works cooperatively with local district administrators.
• Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Regularly evaluates special education programs services and procedures and coordinates required special education monitoring.
• Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; compiles and maintains all required reports and records.
• Supports teacher administrator and parent understanding of FAPE in the LRE.
• Provides teachers and principals with counsel and assistance around instructional challenges; at principal request observes teachers and offers insights to enhance teaching and learning.
• Arranges develops and/or provides appropriate professional learning opportunities for staff.
• Assists the local district and LESA in projecting staff needs recruiting screening interviewing and recommending qualified candidates for open positions.
• Supervises directs and evaluates LESA special education staff assigned to the district.
• Stays informed updated and knowledgeable for the purpose of properly interpreting rules regulations laws statutes and policies that affect special education and Section 504.
• Implements procedures for child find that include special education referral evaluation and placement for students who may require special education.
• In collaboration with central office colleagues develops special education budget recommendations and provides oversight of expenditures and implements procedures for purchasing special education equipment and supplies.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs other related tasks as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises employees in the Special Education Department as assigned. Is responsible for the overall direction coordination and evaluation of these units. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing hiring and training employees; planning assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Eligible for or currently in possession of full Director of Special Education approval.
• Full approval in at least one area of Special Education.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Masters degree or equivalent.
• Minimum of three years of successful experience in Special Education Administration.

CERTIFICATES LICENSES and/or REGISTRATIONS

• Possession of a Michigan School Administrator Certificate pursuant to MCL 380.1246.
• Valid Teaching Certificate with Special Education endorsement; or
• Certification in an area of Special Education and Supervisors approval.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read analyze and interpret general business periodicals professional journals technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of staff parent and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts interest commissions proportions percentages area circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to transport between school buildings districts and cities. Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students staff and the community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close visionand the ability to adjust focus. The position requires meeting deadlines with severe time constraints interacting with the public and staff irregular or extended work hours. The employee is responsible for safety well-being and work output of others. Must be able to meet demands from several people.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. The noise level in this position varies. When visiting a building the noise level will be loud in the office quiet and at meetings moderate.

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.

The Livingston Educational Service Agency does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion national origin sex disability age height weight marital status or any other legally protected characteristic in its programs and activities including employment opportunities.

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies should be directed to the Deputy Superintendent for Administrative Services..

Required Experience:

Director