Assistant Executive Director, Special Education and Pupil Services

Job Title: Assistant Executive Director for the Special Education and Pupil Services Division

The Assistant Executive Director for the Special Education and Pupil Services Division serves as the senior operational leader responsible for overseeing all activities programs services personnel and operations within the division. This position provides executive-level leadership and strategic direction to ensure the effective delivery of high-quality special education and pupil services across the organization and participating local education agencies. Programs in the Special Education and Pupil Services Division include the AIU-operated Special Education Schools Preschool Early Intervention Pupil Services and Related Services including OT/PT Speech Hearing and Vision.

This position plays a critical leadership role in strategic planning program oversight personnel administration fiscal management stakeholder engagement and organizational leadership initiatives

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Administration

• Responsible for the overall leadership administration and strategic direction of the Special Education and Pupil Services Division.

• Provide executive oversight for all divisional programs operations initiatives and services.

• Serve as the senior operational leader responsible for ensuring coordination and alignment across all divisional departments and programs.

• Represent the division at the organizational level meetings.

• Participate in executive leadership meetings organizational planning activities and cross-divisional initiatives.

• Provide leadership and decision-making support during organizational emergencies operational challenges or crisis response situations.

• Ensure divisional operations align with organizational priorities strategic goals and board expectations.

Program and Operational Leadership

• Direct and oversee the implementation administration and evaluation of all special education and pupil services programs.

• Ensure effective and compliant delivery of educational behavioral therapeutic and student support services.

• Monitor operational performance metrics service outcomes and program effectiveness.

• Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on service quality operational efficiency innovation and stakeholder satisfaction.

• Oversee divisional planning related to staffing facilities service delivery models and resource allocation.

• Ensure consistency and coordination across divisional programs and leadership teams.

Compliance and Regulatory Leadership

• Ensure division-wide compliance with IDEA Section 504 Chapter 14 FERPA PDE requirements and all applicable laws and regulations.

• Oversee corrective action planning monitoring activities audits reporting requirements and compliance reviews.

• Maintain awareness of legislative and regulatory changes impacting special education and pupil services.

• Provide leadership related to risk management regulatory accountability and operational compliance.

Personnel Leadership and Supervision

• Provide direct supervision and leadership support to divisional administrators directors supervisors coordinators and other assigned personnel.

• Lead efforts related to recruitment hiring retention succession planning and workforce development within the division.

• Support employee performance management coaching professional growth and accountability systems.

• Collaborate with Human Resources regarding employee relations staffing matters organizational structure and personnel decisions.

• Promote a culture of collaboration professionalism innovation and continuous improvement.

Fiscal and Resource Management

• Assist in the development and oversight of divisional budgets grants and financial planning activities.

• Monitor fiscal performance to ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources.

• Support long-range planning related to program sustainability staffing needs facilities and operational growth.

• Identify opportunities for efficiencies cost containment and strategic investments.

Stakeholder and Community Relations

• Serve as a liaison to school districts community agencies families governmental entities and external partners.

• Represent the organization at regional state and professional meetings committees and collaborative initiatives.

• Support positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders through responsive communication and collaborative problem-solving.

• Assist in the development and communication of divisional priorities initiatives and organizational updates.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Masters degree required in Special Education Educational Leadership School Administration Pupil Services or a related field.

• Doctoral degree preferred.

Certification:

• Pennsylvania Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (LOE) required.

• Appropriate Pennsylvania administrative certification required.

• Special education or pupil services certification preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible educational leadership experience.

• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex educational programs operations and personnel.

• Significant experience in special education administration and pupil services leadership required.

• Experience serving in a senior leadership or executive-level administrative role preferred.

• Experience working within a public education agency intermediate unit or multi-district educational environment preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of special education laws regulations compliance requirements and best practices.

• Strong executive leadership organizational management and strategic planning skills.

• Ability to lead large-scale operations and manage complex organizational initiatives.

• Excellent interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to analyze data and operational information to support strategic decision-making.

• Strong problem-solving conflict resolution and change management skills.

• Demonstrated ability to lead through collaboration accountability and innovation.

• Commitment to equity inclusion and student-centered service delivery.

Additional Requirements:

• Current Act 114 Act 34 Act 151 and NSOR Clearances required prior to an offer (Must be dated within 1 year of hire date).

• School Personnel Health Record (Form H511.340) must be completed and received by Human Resources prior to hire date.

Working Conditions: This position may involve standing walking and active engagement throughout the day. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent travel to schools district locations organizational sites and community meetings.

• Occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

• Ability to manage complex operational personnel and compliance responsibilities in a fast-paced executive leadership environment.

• Sitting for extended period of time

• Lifting carrying pushing pulling 35 pounds

• Ability to kneel crouch bend and reach to retrieve and handle teaching materials and supplies

• Moving fingers and hands in a repetitive manner

• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly when communicating with limited English speaking customers

• Hearing clearly

• Adequate vision to perform duties

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Disclaimer: The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of this position.

Reports To: Executive Director

Department: Special Education and Pupil Services

Position Schedule: 260-day position

Benefits: Executive Leadership Team Benefit Plan

To Apply: Create an on-line application and upload a cover letter resume clearances and transcripts at the AIU Career Site.

Please send any questions to:

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin ancestry religion sex sexual orientation age handicap or limited English proficiency in its educational programs services facilities activities or employment practices as required by Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended Section 504 Regulations of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975 Section 204 Regulations of the 1984 Carl D. Perkins Act the Americans with Disabilities Act or any other applicable federal or state statute.