Director of Special Education

670 - DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

REPORTS TO: Director of Curriculum

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s Degree in Special Education
Texas Mid-management preferred
Valid Texas teaching certificate with five years successful teaching experience in Special Education.
Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Trustees may find appropriate.

SUPERVISES:

Special Education Appraisal Facilitators
Educational Diagnosticians
Special Education Consultants
Itinerant Special Education Teachers
Principal, St. Louis School
Other Special Education Support Staff
Secretary
Secretary/Computer Specialist/Medicaid
SERS Secretary

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Administrative/Professional Pay Grade 7; 226 days Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

JOB GOAL: To provide district-wide services for students with disabilities and to coordinate these programs with general education to best impact student achievement. To provide technical assistance and program leadership to meet legal requirements and reflect best practices.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1.	Communicates and promotes expectations for high-level performance for staff and students; recognizes excellence and achievement.
2.	Establishes and maintains an environment which is conducive to positive staff morale and directed towards achievement of the department/district’s mission.
3.	Mediates and facilitates effective resolutions of conflicts in a timely fashion.
4.	Promotes a positive, caring climate for learning.
5.	Designs feasible projects for implementing innovations.
6.	Obtains and uses evaluative findings, including student achievement data, to examine special education program effectiveness.
7.	Works with staff to plan, implement, and evaluate the curriculum on a systematic basis; includes students and community representatives (when appropriate).
8.	Plans the necessary time, resources, and materials to support subordinates in accomplishing educational goals.
9.	Directs special education services to meet students’ needs.
10.	Serves as resource person for admission, review, and dismissal committees as needed.
11.	Is effective in scheduling activities and the use of resources needed to accomplish determined goals.
12.	Complies with district policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations, in pursuing the mission of the department/district.
13.	Develops budgets based upon documented program needs, estimated enrollment, personnel, and other fiscal needs; implements programs within budget limits; maintains fiscal control; accurately reports fiscal information.
14.	Monitors the use, care, and replacement of capital equipment.
15.	Evaluates job performance of staff to ensure effectiveness.
16.	Ensures staff compliance with district policies and state and federal laws.
17.	Assists in recruitment and placement of special education personnel and is effective in interviewing, selecting, and orienting new staff; makes sound recommendations relative to personnel placement, transfer, retention, and dismissal.
18.	Provides training for staff members in current district policies and state and federal laws.
19.	Demonstrates support for the district’s student management policies and expected student behavior related to the special education program.
20.	Establish and maintain open lines of communication and conducting conferences with parents, students, and teachers concerning vital issues.
21.	Encourages plans for improved student behavior that reflect enhanced opportunities for learning.
22.	Attends professional growth training to keep abreast of current Special Education issues.
23.	Identifies, provides, and/or encourages participation in available in-service training options to address the goals identified through the growth planning process.
24.	Performs duties in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner, as defined in the TEA Code of Ethics for Educators.
25.	Articulate the school’s mission and the special education philosophy and rationale to the community and solicits support in realizing the mission.
26.	Demonstrates awareness of school/community needs and initiates activities to meet those identified needs.
27.	Use appropriate and effective techniques for community and parent involvement.
28.	Emphasizes and nurtures two-way communication between the school and community.
29.	Projects a positive image to the community.
30.	Performs other tasks and assumes such responsibilities as related to the position and assigned.

Equipment used:
Computer, fax, calculator, and copier

Working Conditions:
Mental Demands: Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); interpret policy, procedures, and data; maintain emotional control under stress.
Physical Demands: Frequent district and statewide travel; frequent prolonged and irregular hours.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.
12/2003 SR