Escambia County Schools Supervisor of Special Education
Reports To: Superintendent
Qualifications:
- 1. Master's degree or above from an accredited college or university.
- 2. Three (3) years teaching experience; prior administrative or principal experience preferred.
- 3. Valid Alabama certification in administration/supervision/educational leadership.
- 4. Ability to meet the suitability criteria for employment and/or certification/licensure under the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 and Act No. 2002-457.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication skills. Effective interpersonal skills,
with an emphasis on communication and collaboration with a wide variety of people and groups.
Ability to develop and implement curriculum and programming specific to the needs of assigned
students. Ability to identify and solve problems as a productive team member. Ability to use
technology to communicate, to plan and provide instruction, to facilitate student learning, to
manage data, and to produce/submit required reports, correspondence, and/or financial
information. Physical strength, mobility, dexterity, stamina, and acuity to perform job
responsibilities. Ability to stand, walk, stoop, assist with student toileting and specific hygiene
needs.
JOB GOAL:
To implement and maintain special education programs and services in conformance to district
procedures and state and federal laws; providing written support and/or conveying information; serving
as a resource to parents and school personnel, as well as the Board; and maintaining adequate staffing to
ensure objectives of programs and services are achieved within budget.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- 1. Interacts with parents and advocates of students with disabilities for the purpose of defining
and implementing services addressing the unique needs of each qualifying student.
- 2. Collaborates with District personnel and peers for the purpose of implementing and
maintaining services and programs.
- 3. Coordinates program components, support needs and materials for the purpose of delivering
services that conform to established guidelines.
- 4. Provides assistance in developing proposals, new programs, budgets, and grants
collaboratively as part of the Administrative Team for the purpose of meeting student needs.
- 5. Present professional development as needed to Special Education Staff.
- 6. Evaluates special education programs and curricula for the purpose of providing FAPE to each
eligible student.
- 7. Facilitates meetings (PPTs), processes, etc. for the purpose of developing, implementing and
maintaining appropriate special education services.
- 8. Monitors assigned programs and projects for the purpose of complying with district and state
curriculum and instructional objectives.
- 9. Participates in personnel functions (e.g. recruitment, hiring, evaluations, etc.) for the purpose of
maintaining adequate staffing, matching staff to student needs and ensuring that objectives of
special education programs are achieved within budget.
- 10. Prepares written documents for the purpose of responding to inquiries, conveying information,
or memorializing meetings.
- 11. Assists with the presentation of information on programs, services, regulations, etc. for the
purpose of serving as a resource for parents, school personnel, or the Board of Education.
- 12. Supervises personnel for the purpose of assuring the development and implementation of
services based on student needs.
- 13. Demonstrates support for the school system and its vision, goals and priorities.
- 14. Provides leadership in developing, understanding, and promoting the mission and vision of
the school system and the special education services department.
- 15. Works with principals and teachers in organizing and coordinating grade level and department
meetings to develop continuity and articulation of instructional programs between and among
grades, schools, and post-secondary institutions.
- 16. Keeps informed of the latest laws, research, trends, and innovations in education for special
education students with designated exceptionalities/disabilities/special needs and disseminates
this information to teachers, principals, other stakeholders, and colleagues.
- 17. Assists in the developing of system-wide program plans and policies by making written/oral
recommendations to the appropriate administrative and support staff.
- 18. Regularly reviews federal and state regulations and other information applicable to the
program area(s); correctly ascertains changes and possible trends impacting program area(s),
support services, and related services for special education students.
- 19. Correctly evaluates program needs using all available information such as program statistics or
other data and input from program staff and others.
- 20. Assists in writing program plans and yearly board policies by providing input of updated
information, facilitates program implementation, and monitors the compliance with applicable
regulations, federal and state guidelines, and prevailing special education law.
- 21. Directs the adherence to policy and procedure manuals that conform to and adequately
communicate applicable regulations.
- 22. Effectively organizes and conducts regular meetings with staff members and others to
communicate program plans and policies, receive input, and facilitate sharing of ideas.
- 23. Accurately prepares reports, position papers, memoranda, guidelines or other documents that
communicate information clearly and adequately.
- 24. Provides appropriate advice on application and interpretation of laws, policies, procedures,
etc., based on up-to-date and accurate information.
- 25. Makes appropriate recommendations for implementation strategies and methods that meet
program needs and conform to regulations.
- 26. Monitors progress of program implementation, evaluates results, and recommends changes
and improvements.
- 27. Devises appropriate, efficient reporting mechanisms that will provide the necessary
information to evaluate program progress.
- 28. Accurately evaluates reported information for indicators of progress toward identified goals
and objectives.
- 29. Correctly identifies special education program strengths and weaknesses revealed by program
data or other sources.
- 30. Correctly evaluates program and department compliance with the terms of federal, state,
and/or grant funding guidelines or other applicable regulations.
- 31. Effectively facilitates regular meetings with relevant staff and stakeholders to share ideas,
evaluate progress, and make decisions.
- 32. Documents progress and decisions of the group and submits reports to appropriate staff.
- 33. Regularly attends and participates in staff meetings.
- 34. Correctly identifies staff training needs by evaluating applicable program data and information
from other sources.
- 35. Effectively develops and evaluates appropriate training curricula and materials individually or
in conjunction with other staff and agencies.
- 36. Effectively presents in a clear and concise manner training sessions that meet identified needs.
- 37. Regularly attends internal and external educational programs and professional meetings as
needed.
- 38. Reads and evaluates professional literature on a continual basis.
- 39. Collaborates with school board attorneys to execute due process in accordance with the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- 40. Assists attorneys with witness interviews and evidence preparation as needed for special
education due process hearings, negotiations, or other program-related legal procedures.
- 41. Oversees process for mandated school system, State Department of Education, and IDEA
timeline compliance.
- 42. Examines special education or related school system documents, communications, and
publications for accuracy/inaccuracy.
- 43. Facilitates settlement of complaints that meets the needs/resources of the system and the needs
of special education students and their families/representatives.
- 44. Provide analysis of due process complaints to facilitate effective professional development for
stakeholders.
- 45. Prepares, amends, and manages special services, special education and related budgets.
Evaluates effective and appropriate use of designated federal funds.
- 46. Collaborates with Director of Finance and other staff to prepare annual school system budget.
- 47. Enters relevant information in Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE)
software/database programs and monitors/supervises the special education data input by
school staff and other designated personnel.
- 48. Approves purchases in budget to include approval of personnel from federal special education
funds.
- 49. Serves as the school system contact person with the Alabama State Department of Education in
all designated matters concerning the special education program.
- 50. Collaborates with school system testing staff, special education department staff, and State
Department of Education officials to implement, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of
assessment programs for special education students.
- 51. Supervises and evaluates assigned staff in accordance with school system procedures and
schedules.
- 52. Maintains appropriate confidentiality regarding school/workplace matters.
- 53. Demonstrates initiative in identifying potential problems and/or opportunities for
improvement in areas of responsibility.
- 54. Reports potential problems, unusual events, or work irregularities to appropriate
administrative or supervisory personnel.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the system’s approved compensation plan.
Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be those established by the system.
EVALUATION:
Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on
evaluation of personnel.
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to
this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job goals, qualifications, and responsibilities
and the employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned. The Escambia County
Board of Education reserves the right to amend the job description as needed