Reading School District

School District Position Description

Position Title:Director of Special Education

Classification:RSAA

Reports To:Chief Academic, Achievement & Accountability Officer

Supervises:Various administrative/support personnel within areas of responsibility

Position Goal:To provide leadership in planning, administering, and directing a comprehensive special education program that is designed to meet the needs of a diverse student population.

Qualifications:

  • Master’sDegree in Education with a Bachelor’s Degree in a field of special education and at least five (5) years administrative experience at the building or Central Office level and a minimum of five (5) years special education teaching experience.
  • Appropriate Pennsylvania certification required (Supervisor of Special Education or Superintendent).
  • Experience in a large diverse system serving a diverse student population.
  • Extensive knowledge of federal and state special education laws and regulations.
  • Extensive knowledge of research-based programs and models for serving special needs students.
  • Demonstrated ability in the organization and supervision of Special Education programs.
  • Extensive knowledge on matters pertaining to the identification, placement, and evaluation of students.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with pre-school, alternative education, elementary education, and secondary education leaders to provide a comprehensive educational program.
  • Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills evidencing the ability to work with varied constituencies.
  • Proven planning, organization, and project management skills.
  • Strong skills in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data for a variety of audiences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties:

  1. Plans, administers, directs, and evaluates, with fidelity, the District’s special education programs to ensure full and total compliance with state and federal laws and regulation, as well as the satisfaction of objectives for student education.
  2. Develops and administers the District’s annual plan for special education.
  3. Formulates, interprets, reviews, and revises policies and procedures pertaining to the District’s special education program ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
  4. Establishes and monitors procedures for the screening, placement, evaluation, assignment,

and reevaluation of studentswith regard to the special education program.

  1. Coordinates, with appropriate curriculum personnel, the development, implementation, and revision of the curriculum for specialneeds students.
  2. Directs and monitors the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 processes.
  3. Coordinates the selection of curriculum for special education students that is aligned with theDistrict’s core curriculum.
  4. Coordinates, monitors, and generally oversees special education services with all outside agencies and providers, including, but not limited to, facilitating interagency planning between the District and external service providers, such as residential care facilities and day treatment facilities.
  5. Coordinates and facilitates staff meetings for District special education staff.
  6. Ensures appropriate professional development for all special education staff with an emphasis on meeting the individual educational needs of identified students and compliance with federal and state law.
  7. Interprets special education programs to all interested constituencies, including, but not limited to the Board of School Directors, school administrators, teachers, and parents.
  8. Assists school principals with planning and implementing effective school-based special education programs.
  9. Conferences with parents/guardians of students enrolled in special education programs and resolves concerns.
  10. Prepares or oversees the preparation of all required reports and maintain required records.
  11. Oversees and monitors the budgets for areas of responsibility in collaboration with the Chief Academic, Achievement & Accountability Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and other staff with responsibility for budget oversight.
  12. Prepares grant applications and solicits funds to provide financial support for programs.
  13. Establishes and upholds high performance expectations, collaborative planning and program development, responsive management, and personal accountability within the assigned areas of responsibility.
  14. Supervises assigned personnel, conducts annual performance appraisals, and makes recommendations for appropriate employment actions, including, but not limited to, hiring, firing, disciplinary action, etc.
  15. Utilizes appropriate strategies and problem-solving tools to make recommendations and decisions concerning planning, budgeting, utilization of funds, delivering services, and evaluation of services provided.
  16. Demonstrates initiative in identifying potential problems or opportunities for improvement and take appropriate action.
  17. Consistently represents the District in a positive and professional manner.
  18. Attends training sessions, conferences, and workshops to keep abreast of current practices, programs, and legal issues associated with areas of responsibility.
  19. Performs such other duties as requested/assigned by direct supervisor.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Full-time (12-month) exempt position. Salary and benefits consistent with the District’s approved Compensation and Benefits Plan and/or individual contract.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.

Date: 6.22.2012

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the Department of Human Resources of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, 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.

The Reading School District is an equal opportunity employment, educational, and service organization.

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