Position Purpose
The Director of Special Education provides leadership for planning, administering, and directing the division’s special education programs. Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations; oversees instructional programming. This position assists with the planning, administering, and directing the division’s special education programs.
Essential Functions
- Plans, administers, and directs all aspects of the school division’s special education program.
- Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations governing special education programs, services and reporting requirements.
- Supports student services staff.
- Completes required state and federal reports.
- Supervises, evaluates, and directs the work of special education department personnel, as well as nurses and school counselors.
- Establishes and monitors procedures for the screening, placement, evaluation, assignment, and reevaluation of students with regard to the special education program.
- Evaluates special education programs to ensure that objectives for student education are met.
- Consults with building administrators regarding special education issues and programming.
- Serves as the central office contact and liaison with parents and community regarding special education programming.
- Serves as the Division’s Title IX Coordinator.
- Serves as the Division’s Homeless and Foster Care Liaison.
- Serves, in conjunction with the Director of Human Resources, as the Division’s Compliance Officer and Records Manager.
Additional Duties
- This position will attend School Board meetings - (typically one evening per month).
- Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned by the Superintendent.
Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.
Equipment
- Uses standard office equipment such as computers, printer, copier and fax machines, calculator and telephone.
- Uses equipment and supplies related to sports, athletics, and physical fitness.
Travel Requirements
- Travel to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.
Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
- Work in standard office and school building environments.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of identification and diagnosis of disabling conditions.
- Considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations affecting identification and education of disabled students.
- Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Experience with database programs, including SSWS.
- Ability to initiate, design, and develop new programs and procedures.
- Ability to communicate effectively with parents and staff in order to mediate disputes and explain school system policies and programs.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to organize multiple tasks and conflicting time constraints.
- Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to leadership, performance and professional growth.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.
Qualifications Profile
- Must possess a comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and current issues in the provision of a special education program.
- Must possess a demonstrated knowledge of state and federal regulations governing special education programs to include IDEA.
- Must possess the ability to plan, organize, and direct a comprehensive special education program
- Must possess excellent leadership, supervisory, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents/guardians, the community, and administrative staff.
Education
- Must possess a Master’s degree with a special education endorsement(s) and be eligible for a Virginia Postgraduate Professional License
- Endorsement in Administration and Supervision (K-12) is preferred.
Experience
- Successful experience as a special education teacher is required.
- Successful Supervisory experience preferred.
