Special Education Director

Comal Independent School District; New Braunfels (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Comal ISD seeks a Director of Special Education to lead and manage district SPED programs, ensuring services meet student and community needs.

You will develop, implement, and evaluate programs, collaborate with staff and outside agencies, and ensure compliance with laws and district policies. A Master’s degree and Texas SPED certification, plus administrative credentials, are required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher is required.
• Valid Texas Special Education certificate and/or related certification/experience.
• Valid Texas Principal or other appropriate certificate/license required.
• Valid Special Education certificate and/or related credential/experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage district special education programs to meet student and community needs.
• Collaborate with district staff and outside personnel to develop, implement, and evaluate programs.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state laws, SBOE rules, and district policies.
• Coordinate ARD processes district-wide and maintain program documentation.
• Evaluate program effectiveness using student achievement data and other evaluative findings.

Skills

Curriculum knowledge

Special education programs

Policy interpretation

Data interpretation

Collaboration

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master’s degree

Texas teaching certificate

Texas Principal certificate

Special Education certificate

Job description

Primary Purpose

Direct and manage district special education programs to meet student and community needs.

Serve as a leader in the development and improvement of Special Education programs. Collaborate with district staff and outside personnel to formulate, develop, implement, and evaluate special education programs based on research, best practice, and current trends in special education.

Education / Certification

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Valid Special Education Texas teaching certificate and/or related certification/experience
• Valid Texas Principal or other appropriate certificate/license required
• Valid Special Education certificate and/or related credential/experience

Special Knowledge / Skills

• Knowledge of curriculum and instruction.
• Knowledge of special education programs, regulations, and specific areas of disability.
• Ability to evaluate program effectiveness and program compliance.
• Ability to coordinate district functions.
• Ability to interpret policy, procedures, and data.
• Ability to interpret individual assessment data (FIE) with regards to program planning and implementation.
• Strong organizational, communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with CISD, other districts, state and federal agency personnel who are involved with the research, administration, and coordination of Special Education programs.

Experience / Other Requirements

• Three years of teaching or related experience in Special Education.
• Personal cell phone is required to handle district related business, including after hours, or when away from the office on district business.
• Three years of supervisory or administrative experience preferred.

Major Responsibilities And Duties

Program Management

• Ensures that student progress is evaluated on a systematic basis, and that the findings are used to make special education programs more effective.
• Directs and manages special education programs and services to meet students’ needs.
• Ensures the use of technology in the teaching-learning process.
• Encourages and supports the development of innovative programs, helping staff to pilot such efforts when appropriate.
• Assists in the evaluation of ongoing programs/services to include academics, behavioral, ALT curricula, ECSE, transition, manifestation, etc.
• Plans the necessary time, resources, and materials to support staff in accomplishing educational goals.
• Supervises and monitors the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) process district wide.
• Participates in committee meetings to ensure the appropriate placement and development of individual education plans for students according to district procedures.
• Obtains and uses evaluative findings (including student achievement data) to gauge special education program effectiveness.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of Special Education programs.
• Ensures that curriculum renewals are continuous and responsive to student needs.

Policy, Reports, and Law

• Recommends sound policies to improve the program.
• Directs and implements the policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in special education.
• Compiles, maintains, and files all reports, records, and other documents required.
• Complies with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and the local board policy.
• Collaborates with administration in the resolution of parent concerns and complaints with regards to Special Education programming.

Personnel Management

• Prepares, reviews, and revises job descriptions in the special education department.
• Develops training options and/or improvement plans to ensure exemplary operations in the special education area.
• Evaluates job performance of employees to ensure effectiveness.
• Participates in the recruitment, selection, and training of personnel and makes sound recommendations relative to personnel placement, assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
• Disseminates information for new developments in Special Education guidelines.

Communication and Community Support

• Serves as district liaison to community agencies providing services to students and notifies parents and students of available services.
• Participates in professional organizations and serves on community boards.
• Articulates the district’s missions and goals for the special education department.
• Demonstrates awareness of district-community needs and initiates activities to meet needs.
• Responsible for properly maintaining district records, adhering to all policies set forth by the district for records maintenance and learning the records retention schedule for department records.
• Uses appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement.
• Perform related duties as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel.

Working Conditions

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.

• Maintains emotional control under stress.
• Occasional prolonged and irregular hours.
• Mental concentration, ability to multitask, work with frequent deadlines.
• Frequent district-wide and state-wide travel.
• Moderate walking, lifting, and carrying.
• Prolonged standing.
• Potential exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.