Assistant Director of Special Education

Fort Smith Public Schools; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Fort Smith Public Schools seeks an Assistant Director of Special Education to lead and supervise the District’s Special Education Program. The role involves collaboration with staff to develop programs for students with disabilities, ensuring compliance with state guidelines, and maintaining effective communication with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree required.
• Valid Arkansas teaching license needed.
• Relevant classroom teaching experience required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in supervising and administering all District programs for students with disabilities.
• Provide consultation to special education personnel in the District.
• Monitor operation of District programs for students with disabilities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Supervision

Education

Master’s Degree

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Assistant Director of Special Education

FLSA: Exempt

REPORTS TO:Director of Special Education

LOCATION: Service Center

CONTRACT DAYS: Days and benefits will be specified in the employee contract.A full contract is 240 days.

DISTRICT VALUES

• We will always put student needs ?rst.
• We believe relationships matter.
• We expect accountability.
• We operate with transparency.
• We prioritize student and staff safety.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree required
• Valid Arkansas teaching license with appropriate licensure code(s) of 190, 341, 282, and 320 for Supervision and/or Administration or equivalent.
• Relevant experience as a classroom teacher required
• Supervisory experience preferred

SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Special Education, under the supervision of the Director of Special Education and the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, is to assist with providing leadership, direction and supervision of all aspects of the District’s Special Education Program and is to assist in planning with principals, teachers and administrative staff to develop and implement a program designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assist in supervising and administering all District programs for students with disabilities.
• Assist in interviewing (at the request of the Director of Special Education and the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Campus Support) and make recommendations regarding selection and placement of Special Education personnel.
• Assists in supervision and evaluation of special education staff, including special education coordinators.
• Assist in providing consultation to special education personnel in the District and visit special education classrooms to observe effectiveness of the instructional program.
• Assist in planning, organizing and routinely calling staff meetings of special education personnel.
• Assist in designating appropriate professionals responsible for appraisal, programming and implementation activities as specified by state guidelines.
• Assure that appropriate personnel are available and efficiently deployed for all due process and instructional activities, including related services personnel.
• Ensure that such personnel are held accountable and responsible for meeting established timelines set forth in due process procedures, including those employed through purchased service arrangements.
• Assist in initiating and administering programs to locate and evaluate students with suspected disabilities.
• Design and implement Child Find activities in accordance with state and federal guidelines, including for privately-placed students receiving educational services within the district’s jurisdictional boundaries.
• Arrange timely evaluation of students suspected of having a disability.
• Monitor operation of District programs for students with disabilities to ensure operation in accordance with state-approved policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Provide consultative assistance to regular education teachers with students with disabilities.
• Maintain information, and liaison with other public and private agencies and individuals who provide services to students with disabilities in the District.
• Develop and monitor contracts with other public and private agencies and individuals who are providing services to students with disabilities in the District.
• Ensure legal and appropriate reimbursement to local residential facilities which have state-approved educational programs for costs associated with educating eligible students.
• Develop and recommend the District special education plan and budget to the assistant superintendent.
• Assist in the development, administration and coordination for all related in-service programs.
• Serve as liaison with parent and professional organizations.
• Effectively communicate the District’s approaches to the education of students with disabilities within the school and to the wider community.
• Assist in preparing and submitting accurate and timely special education data reports as required by the Arkansas Department of Education.
• Assist in supervising and coordinating the Medicaid program for the District.
• Assist in keeping informed of current trends and legal requirements governing special education.
• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Maintains prompt and regular attendance and demonstrates the ability to maintain positive professional working relationships with others.
• Evaluates and supervises departmental staff.
• Serve on committees as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Must have the ability to lift at least 40 pounds occasionally.
• May be required to physically move students or equipment weighing up to 40 lbs. May be required to position students in specialized equipment and or/ change diapers as needed.
• Ability to endure prolonged standing, walking, sitting, kneeling, occasional reaching above the head or the shoulders, bending, squatting.

If seeing this posting on a job site,please apply here

https://fortsmithschools.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspxif interested.