JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for the development, direction, coordination and evaluation of ‘Special Education programs including services for all Special Education and Section 504.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Identifies and implements practices, which lead to effective education and services for student with special needs, in compliance with federal and state regulations and district policy.
2. Develops and monitors the budget for the Special Services department
3. Oversees Medicaid billing and compliance
4. Oversee NCAT including all hiring, evaluations, budget, outside contracts and communication with outside agencies. Meetings along with placement considerations.
5. LEA for NCAT IEP meetings along with consideration for placement in the program.
6. Supervises the assessment and annual review process for students with special needs.
7. Facilitates individualized Education Plan (IEP) team decisions regarding appropriate services and student placement within or outside the district.
8. Ensures availability of staff and materials resources to meet identified student needs.
9. Establishes a collaborative culture with staff, parents/guardians and students focused on student achievement.
10. Collaborates with district staff to identify student assessment methods with measurable outcomes.
11. Monitors student progress and works collaboratively with district Administrators to implement Special Education programs, monitor the Response-to-intervention (RTI), develop coordinated Special Education services and assist with program reviews.
12. Recommends and provides in-service training for the special services and general education staff regarding new legal mandates and best practices.
13. Fields inquiries, complaints and concerns from parents/guardians and district personnel.
14. Recruits, hires and trains Special Education department staff, maintaining compliance with Federal and State regulations and district policy.
15. Collaborates with Administrators in the interviewing and hiring process for district Special Education teachers.
16. Determines needs for program modification and new programs and services in accordance with Federal and State Legislation.
17. Encourages leadership and professional growth among department staff.
18. Develops educational programs for families and community related to Special Education initiatives.
19. Provides ongoing feedback and support to staff regarding implementation of data-driven instruction.
20. Models professional, ethical and respectful behavior.
21. Communicates effectively with district’s internal and external stakeholders.
22. Seeks out potential partnerships with groups and organization with the intent of addressing student/program needs.
23. Maintains compliance with the Missouri State Department of Education Special Education Manual.
24. Communicates changes in the State Special Education Manual to the Assistant Superintendent and other district staff.
25. Seeks opportunities for, and participates in professional development.
26. Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director of Special Education will supervise Process Coordinators, Diagnosticians

and District Level Therapists.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

1. Master’s Degree in Education
2. 5 years teaching and/or educational administration experience.
3. Extensive knowledge of Individualized Education Plans and Response to Intervention.
4. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
5. Ability to maintain collaborative environment when faced with individuals in crisis.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

1. Must have effective oral and written communication skills.
2. Must have strong interpersonal communication skills.
3. Must have ability to lead groups to consensus.
4. Must be able to make effective presentations to the Board of Education, staff, parents, and community.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

1. Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.
2. Ability to understand, evaluate, and make recommendations related to operating budgets for assigned areas of responsibility.

REASONING ABILITY:

1. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
2. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, and/or schedule form.
3. Ability to concentrate, think, read and learn is necessary to perform the essential job duties.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of current State and Federal statutes and regulations governing special education and other assigned areas of responsibility.
2. Possess effective participatory management skills.
3. Ability to perform duties in full compliance with all District requirements and Board policies.
4. Ability to learn and utilize software programs and/or databases.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must regularly sit, talk, listen, and respond.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee will regularly stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, precise hand-eye coordination and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.  Occasionally, the employee may lift up to 50 pounds, such as, to lift files, papers, and equipment.  The foregoing is not an exclusive list and the employee may be required to exceed the minimum physical demand specifications should the safety and security of students and staff be compromised.

The above physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job.  The noise level in the work environment is usually at a moderate to loud level with frequent interruptions.  The employee continuously interacts with students, staff and the public.  Travel may be necessary to various District buildings and/or other sites.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.

The information contained in job description is for compliance with the 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.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.