Special Education Director

Direct and manage district special education programs to meet student and community needs.

Serve as a leader in the development and improvement of Special Education programs. Collaborate with district staff and outside personnel to formulate develop implement and evaluate special education programs based on research best practice and current trends in special education.

Education / Certification:

1. Masters degree from an accredited college or university required.
2. Valid Special Education Texas teaching certificate and/or related certification/experience
3. Valid Texas Principal or other appropriate certificate/license required
4. Valid Special Education certificate and/or related credential/experience

Special Knowledge / Skills:

1. Knowledge of curriculum and instruction.
2. Knowledge of special education programs regulations and specific areas of disability.
3. Ability to evaluate program effectiveness and program compliance.
4. Ability to coordinate district functions.
5. Ability to interpret policy procedures and data.
6. Ability to interpret individual assessment data (FIE) with regards to program planning and implementation.
7. Strong organizational communication public relations and interpersonal skills.
8. Ability to establish and maintain relationships with CISD other districts state and federal agency personnel who are involved with the research administration and coordination of Special Education programs.

Experience / Other Requirements:

1. Three years of teaching or related experience in Special Education.
2. Personal cell phone is required to handle district related business including after hours or when away from the office on district business.
3. Three years of supervisory or administrative experience preferred.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Program Management

1. Ensures that student progress is evaluated on a systematic basis and that the findings are used to make special education programs more effective.
2. Directs and manages special education programs and services to meet students needs.
3. Ensures the use of technology in the teaching-learning process.
4. Encourages and supports the development of innovative programs helping staff to pilot such efforts when appropriate.
5. Assists in the evaluation of ongoing programs/services to include academics behavioral ALT curricula ECSE transition manifestation etc.
6. Plans the necessary time resources and materials to support staff in accomplishing educational goals.
7. Supervises and monitors the admission review and dismissal (ARD) process districtwide.
8. Participates in committee meetings to ensure the appropriate placement and development of individual education plans for students according to district procedures.
9. Obtains and uses evaluative findings (including student achievement data) to gauge special education program effectiveness.
10. Evaluates the effectiveness of Special Education programs.
11. Ensures that curriculum renewals are continuous and responsive to student needs.

Policy Reports and Law

1. Recommends sound policies to improve the program.
2. Directs and implements the policies established by federal and state law State Board of Education rule and local board policy in special education.
3. Compiles maintains and files all reports records and other documents required.
4. Complies with policies established by federal and state law State Board of Education rule and the local board policy.
5. Collaborates with administration in the resolution of parent concerns and complaints with regards to Special Education programming.

Personnel Management

1. Prepares reviews and revises job descriptions in the special education department.
2. Develops training options and/or improvement plans to ensure exemplary operations in the special education area.
3. Evaluates job performance of employees to ensure effectiveness.
4. Participates in the recruitment selection and training of personnel and makes sound recommendations relative to personnel placement assignment retention discipline and dismissal.
5. Disseminates information for new developments in Special Education guidelines.

Communication and Community Support

1. Serves as district liaison to community agencies providing services to students and notifies parents and students of available services.
2. Participates in professional organizations and serves on community boards.
3. Articulates the districts missions and goals for the special education department.
4. Demonstrates awareness of district-community needs and initiates activities to meet needs.
5. Responsible for properly maintaining district records adhering to all policies set forth by the district for records maintenance and learning the records retention schedule for department records.
6. Uses appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement.
7. Perform related duties as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel.

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Maintains emotional control under stress.
2. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours.
3. Mental concentration ability to multitask work with frequent deadlines.
4. Frequent district-wide and state-wide travel.
5. Moderate walking lifting and carrying.
6. Prolonged standing.
7. Potential exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.

Required Experience:

Director