POSITION TITLE:   Director of Special Education                          Department:  Special Education

REPORTS TO:           Chief Academic Officer

POSITION SUMMARY:  The Director of Special Education will provide leadership, oversight and professional development to drive the Special Education program, Section 504, English Language Learners (ELL) program, and gifted education, as well as ensure compliance to established organization, local, state and federal policies, procedures and/or regulations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  include the following.  Other duties may be assigned

• Provides instructional support for both general education, special education, gifted and ELL teachers regarding teaching strategies and best practices to support an inclusive, rigorous and relevant academic environment for all students.
• Provides leadership for and directs special education, ELL, Gifted and 504 services for all students.
• Coordinates the selection of curriculum for special education and ELL students that is aligned with Confluence’s core curriculum.
• Coordinates and facilitates parent advisory groups and committees related to special education development.
• Supervises case-management of all IEPs at assigned sites including IEP development, meeting coordination and facilitation.
• Coordinates and facilitates staff meetings for ELL, special education, gifted education and 504 staff
• Directs and monitors the 504 process.
• Provides input into organizational policy to meet the needs of students receiving special education, ELL, Gifted education and 504s.
• Organizes and facilitates professional development regarding special education services, ELL, Gifted and 504 programs/policies in alignment with LEA, state and federal requirements.
• Supports principals in implementing Special Education programs and services.
• Provides timely, responsive communication and consultation to staff and administrators.
• Provides leadership for program improvement by monitoring IEP data collection, academic goals, school trends and external reports.
• Maintains knowledge of current Special Education regulations and best practices
• Provides guidance to assist teachers in analyzing assessment results to drive instruction and IEP development.
• Provides support to school staff in developing appropriate behavior management techniques for students receiving special education.
• Monitors completion of student progress reports in accordance with LEA guidelines.
• Directs and monitors special education budgets.
• Reviews and monitors IEPs and student evaluation reports in the LEA’s data warehouse.
• Is available to participate in IEPs which are challenging and/or include legal representation.
• Assists in the development and implementation of tiered systems of intervention at the organizational and school level.
• Other/duties/projects as assigned by the Chief Academic Officer
• Compiles all documentation for the State’s monitoring of Section 504, ELL, and Gifted programs.
• Addresses other duties and processes required to maintain the LEA’s program of services and compliance for assigned sites.
• Supports special education staff in implementing quality instruction including collaboration, assessment, social/emotional behavioral practices and specialized instruction.
• Supervises, observes and evaluates school psychologist, process coordinators, speech/language pathologists and occupational therapist.

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 essential functions.

Education/Experience:  Master’s degree or higher.  Three years of successful administrative experience building or Confluence experience in directing (or as an assistant) student service programs desirable.

Certification:  Valid Special Education Administrator (K-12) certificate from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or possess appropriate credentials to prove eligibility for Missouri certification.

Language Skills:  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond            to questions from groups of mangers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Reasoning Ability:  Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Other Skills and Abilities:  Must be able to transport between school buildings and cities.  Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community.  Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form.  Ability to perform duties with awareness of all Confluence requirements and Board of Education policies.  Ability to utilize technology in establishing appropriate record keeping program for students, programs, and staff.

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.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  The position requires meeting deadlines with severe time constraints, interacting with the public and staff, irregular or extended work hours.  The employee is responsible for safety, well-being, and work output of others.  Must be able to meet demands from several people.