Interim Director of Special Education @ Washington Administrative Center

JOB TITLE

Interim Director of Special Education

REPORTS TO

Superintendent of Schools and Designees

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT

Administration

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Twelve Month Position/260 Days

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: MA/MS degree in School Administration or MA/MS degree in Special Education and/or behavioral studies required; valid Oklahoma teaching and current administrative certificate required. Bachelors Degree Required

Experience: Minimum of five full time years of adminstrative leadership experience in either a district and/or building site and/or state department of education required. Minimum of three years of successful teaching experience preferred. Knowledge of state and federal accreditation/accountability standards required.

Skills: Computer literate; excellent written and oral communication ability; strong knowledge of rules, regulations,

policies and laws applicable to education; expertise in the Oklahoma State Department of Education's

policies and procedures.

SUMMARY

The Director of Special Education serves in a leadership role in carrying out management, administrative and supervisory functions to plan, develop, implement and monitor student intervention services to all eligible children and families as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Key areas of focus include planning of resources, staff and budget, advocating for necessary resources and ensuring the department goals are aligned to district priorities, encompass necessary compliance requirements and are tracked and reported upon regularly. Key areas of responsiblity include staffing recommendations from all fund types to implement the services required by students on IEP's/504 plans and oversight of data collection and reporting procedures related to District, state and federal compliance.

Additionally, the Director serves as an advocate of children with disabilities in the design and implementation of district wide policies and procedures, monitors and tracks the effectiveness of the implementation, and makes recommendations for policy or procedure changes. The Director is also responsible for developing and fostering positive working relationships with school, district, state, federal and community agencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

these statements are intended to describe the responsibilities assigned to this position and are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

• Provide leadership, direction and coordination of resources to ensure successful implementation of student programs and services in areas of special education, psychology, social work, counseling and health services.
• Supervises the development of goals, preparation of short and long range plans, and the implementation of programs and services for assessment, staff evaluations, and professional development. This will be accomplished through scheduled reviews with district and school leadership teams.
• Oversees federal and state accountability requirements related to IDEA, and local accountability requirements, and administration of assessments as required by state and federal law.
• Provide leadership in establishing new and innovative programs and revised methodology to upgrade and update the curriculum.
• Create and maintain organizational structures that promote and support delivery of exemplary programs and services in the areas of special education, psychology, social work, health, counseling, and other related services.
• Establish and monitor procedures for the screening, placement, evaluation, assignment and reappraisal of students with regard to the special education program.
• Assist immediate staff, principals, school staff, and the community in gaining knowledge and making decisions about research based best practices in the delivery of knowledge and making decisions relating to the delivery of the best practices.
• Assist with interviewing and recommending qualified candidates for special education professional staff positions.
• Demonstrate a record of data driven decision making and fiscal responsibility to sustain continuous improvement. Establish a performance based culture that establishes effective management systems to support exemplary programs and high quality teaching and learning.
• Analyze the results of assessments to identify gaps in programs and services and develop strategic plans to address needs and implement effective programs and services.
• Establish and monitor district procedures and guidelines to ensure full compliance with federal and state statutes and requirements for the efficient operation of the program.
• Facilitate high level problem solving and dispute resolution to ensure appropriate services for students and efficient use of district resources.
• Understand the organization's financial processes. Prepare, justify, and administer the program budget. Oversee procurement and contracting ot achieve desired results. Monitor expenditures and use cost benefit thinking to set priorities.
• Build and manage workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing needs. Ensure that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, apraised, and rewarded; take action to address performance problems.
• Keep up to date on technological developments. Make effective use of technology to achieve results. Ensure access to security of technology systems.
• Maintain positive, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationships with the administration, instructional staff, students, parents, and representatives of resource agencies within the community.
• Treat others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Consider and respond appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
• Responsible for resolving parent/guardian complaints in an efficient and effective manner.
• Serve as a member of the District's Administrative team and attend required meetings when called.
• Maintain positive working relationships with community agencies.
• Communicate frequently and directly with the District Administrative team regarding potential problems or issues which require immediate attention in a proactive manner.
• Attend School Board meetings.
• Any other issue not mentioned above. (As in any other duties assigned by the Superintendent of Schools or their designees(s).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises, oversees and manages district special education programs and staff associated with it. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the district's 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.

Qualification

Requirements

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.

Instructional Knowledge and Expertise

• Ability to monitor and evaluate special delivery systems of special education and 504.
• Budgetary experience with both restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws governing special education.
• Ability to lead a culture of collaboration and achievement.
• Proven ability to cultivate a team and a highly effective community of practice.
• Proven ability to lead a special education or related department/division.

Empathy and commitment to cause

• Understanding of the urban school sytem environment and commitment to improving student achievement.
• Ability to manage conflict with an emphasis upon finding solutions which advance the agenda for children with disabilities.
• Passionately believes that all students can achieve at high levels.
• Demonstrate cultural competence and a deep understanding of and empathy for issues facing urban families.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common academic journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to district leaders, public groups, and/or boards of education.

Mathmatical Skills: Ability to apply intermediate mathematical concepts.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out written and oral instructions. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Other Skills/Expectations: Develops cooperative and functional relationships with district staff and the public; maintains consistent and punctual attendance; insures job responsibilities are met competently and within established deadlines.

Physical Demands: 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. Exposure to the following situations may range from remote to frequent based on circumstances and factors that may not be predictable.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and climb stairs.
• Normal effect or occasional periods of light physical activity.
• Accidents improbable outside of minor injuries, such as cuts, scrapes, or bruises.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• Exposure to complaints from the public may occur during the work day.
• Subject to stress caused by changing environment, deadlines, and heavy workload.
• Limited exposure to health hazards including chemical cleaning agents.
• Primarily require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
• Must be mobile in order to attend events, meetings, and visit school sites frequently.

Sapulpa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability. This job description summary does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. This job description is subject to change in response to funding variables, emerging technologies, improved operating procedures, productivity factors, and unforeseen events.