Director of Special Education and Student Support Services

Saginaw Area Consortium; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Saginaw Public Schools seeks a Director of Special Education and Student Support Services to provide leadership in developing, implementing and administering the district's special education program from preschool through graduation. You will coordinate with curriculum, professional development, Section 504 services, and supervise all SPED staff.

Responsibilities include program management, budgeting, compliance with state and federal laws, staff development, and collaboration with the Board,

Qualifications

• State of Michigan Director of Special Education Certification or in process.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate district programs and services for SPED, including transportation, assignments, curriculum and instruction.

Skills

Tech operations

Curriculum development

Program development

Policy knowledge

Leadership

Staff supervision

Interpersonal skills

Emergency readiness

Confidentiality

Scheduling & resources

Data analysis

Education

Michigan Director Certification

Michigan SPED teaching certificate

Master’s in Special Education

Temporary approval (ISD)

12 graduate hours toward full approval

3+ years SPED teaching

Administrative experience preferred

Leadership in SPED/curriculum dev

Job description

Director of Special Education and Student Support Services JobID: 4865

Saginaw Public Schools Director of Special Education and Student Support Services is responsible for providing leadership and direction in development, implementation, coordination and administration of the district's special education program including coordination with curriculum and professional development, Section 504 services, and supervising all special education staff for the District.

DISTRICT-WIDE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Our mission is to be a globally competitive school district that prepares and inspires students to achieve their full potential. #SPSDinpiresgreatness.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of technology operations and curriculum integration
• Development and review of curriculum as it pertains to Special Education
• Development of programs and services for Special Education students
• Knowledge of organizational policies and procedures
• Knowledge of state and federal laws as it pertains to Special Education and the ability to guide implementation of these statutes, regulations and rules
• Knowledge of management and leadership principles and techniques
• Skills in such supervisory functions as observing staff, providing feedback, team building, and continuous improvement
• Interpersonal skills to provide effective leadership of professional and non-professional staff and to deal discreetly with parents, community groups and constituent district staff
• Ability to cope with emergency situations as it pertains to health, safety and welfare of staff and students
• Ability to respect confidentiality where appropriate in sharing information with parents, staff and others
• Ability to adjust schedule and resources according to most critical need
• Ability to gather information, analyze data, problem solve, and implement decisions in both a leadership capacity and as a member of a team

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand and/or walk, and may be required to lift up to 30 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide coordination, technical direction and guidance in district programs and services including transportation, staff and student assignments, curriculum and instruction for special education students in the district
• Administer all special education services for the district while providing educational leadership and program management within special education programs preschool through graduation
• Coordinate professional development for special education personnel, administration, and general educators regarding the education of children with disabilities, health issues, and crisis intervention
• Conduct observations, conferences, and provide support to staff, monitor implementation of pupils' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) through classroom observations; attend District Individualized Education Program Team (IEPT), Reevaluation of Existing Evaluation Data (REED), Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET), Manifestation Determination Review (MDR), and Section 504 meetings as determined necessary
• Work with the Board of Education, staff members, students, parents and community groups regarding issues and concerns related to all aspects of education programming to assure horizontal and vertical continuity and articulation of the district's special education program
• Administer the special education budget for the department according to policies of the district and assist in personnel selection as it relates to special education teachers, ancillary staff and paraprofessionals
• Review and approve all new tests for their appropriateness based upon psychometric characteristics (e.g., validity, reliability, standardization)
• Monitor programs and services on a regular basis to assure compliance with current rules
• Recommend Board policy revisions in areas relating to special education
• Attend all Board of Education meetings unless otherwise directed
• Annually recommends staffing proposals for the next school year
• Oversee the development of systems and maintenance of complete and cumulative individual records for all children receiving special education programming/services
• Keep informed of and report to the Board changes in the law and other pertinent special education issues
• Consult with parents of students enrolled in the special education program
• Respond promptly and completely to concerns voiced by building administrators and parents
• Assist in recruitment, interviewing, hiring and training of any special education personnel
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with community social service agencies
• Work in conjunction with the Saginaw Intermediate School District to review and disseminate updated legislation, Michigan Department of Education (MDE)-Office of Special Education (OSE) policy and procedure updates, and other pertinent information surrounding the development and implementation of special education programming in regards to state and federal laws and statutes
• Oversee the support and programming for students who are experiencing homelessness or are in the foster care system
• Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• State of Michigan Director of Special Education Certification or in process
• Valid Michigan special education teaching certificate with endorsement in at least one area of special education
• Master's degree or above in special education
• Temporary approval granted to the requesting school district or intermediate school district (ISD) for a time period of not more than one school year
• Must be able to verify 12 semester or equivalent hours of graduate credit towards full approval at a Michigan university/college
• Minimum of three years successful teaching experience in special education
• Previous administrative experience preferred
• Demonstrated leadership in special education, curriculum development, supervision, evaluation and public relations

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Attend any training as mandated by the State or Deputy Superintendent

WORKING CONDITIONS

Office environment where there is no physical discomfort due to temperature, noise, dust or the like

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises staff directly and/or indirectly:

• Administrative Assistant to the Special Education Director/Supervisor(s)
• Build Up Michigan
• Special Education Information Management Specialist
• Special Education Data Management Specialist (Records)
• General Education Records Department Compliance Specialist
• Social Work Staff
• Psychology Staff supplied by the Saginaw ISD or Direct District Hires
• District Wide Nurse(s)
• Health Resource Advocates (HRAs)
• Teacher Consultants supplied by the Saginaw ISD
• Speech Staff supplied by Saginaw ISD

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain inter-school system communication and seek assistance from central office staff to improve performance. The director will maintain good relationships with all staff. The director complies with established lines of authority.
• Develop budget recommendations and maintains the established budgets for special education
• Prepare reports and process claims for reimbursement of federal, state and local funds for support of special programs within policies established by the Board
• Keep informed of and reports to the Board regarding state and federal financing of special education

CURRICULA RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluate on an ongoing basis the total special education program curriculum as it applies to special education programming, procedures, and individual students' needs and achievements
• Meet with classroom teachers and principals to discuss individual programs to be designed for children who will receive supplemental instruction
• Develop and maintain continuous evaluation and monitoring procedures for special education

METHOD OF EVALUATION

The Superintendent of Schools evaluates this position every year. The evaluation form is available from the Human Resources and Labor Relations Department.

Preceding data are intended to convey information essential to making fair pay decisions about the job, and are not exhaustive lists of the skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with it.