Director of Special Education

Director of Special Education

REPORTS TO: Building Principals

Executive Director for Special Education and Student Services

SUPERVISES: Licensed and Non-Licensed staff in designated departments

Assigned activity sponsors

POSITION OBJECTIVE: Oversee the development and implementation of curriculum and instruction in designated departments as well as supervise and evaluate the delivery of instruction in compliance with Board Goals, district and building policies and procedures for the purpose of advancing student performance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Illinois Public Educator License, LBS1 Endorsement, General Administrative Endorsement, Director of Special Education Endorsement, and Teacher Evaluator designation required
2. Master's degree in education, or a related services field
3. Teaching or administrative experience in content area
4. Experience working successfully in a diverse, multicultural environment

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Ability to read, interpret, and explain materials from Board policy, administrative procedures, professional journals, and legal documents, including Illinois School Code
• Ability to problem solve, make independent decisions, and effectuate change
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of IDEA, State and Federal education laws and regulations.
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership ability to work with high school students, families, and adults
• Ability to interpret and analyze data, and produce high-quality presentations and documents
• Knows and understands legal, ethical, and regulatory issues as they relate to special education and board policy
• Ability to deal with difficult situations courteously, tactfully, and with discretion and good judgment
• Ability to interact effectively with a variety of audiences and individuals
• Current knowledge of best practices in business, operations, and human resources
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with a variety of audiences
• Ability to maintain and grow current job skills
• Ability to lead all phases of instructional programs
• Ability to interpret, analyze, and use data to effectively present information, produce documents at a high level of sophistication, and respond to questions
• Ability to access and utilize technology to maximize other skills and performance
• Ability to make rational decisions, problem-solve, and effectuate change in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and stakeholders
• Ability to manage fiscal, physical, and human resources to successfully carry out the functions and programs of the office
• Ability to deal with difficult situations courteously and tactfully and maintain composure to keep a respectful environment for students and staff
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Strong work ethic and aptitude as a self-starter who requires minimal supervision
• Ability to respond to emergency situations (medical, behavioral, etc.)

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises and Evaluates the Performance of Licensed and Non-Licensed Staff Members

• Coordinates special education program of the building including the supervision and assignment of special education teachers, paraprofessionals, speech pathologists, and secretarial personnel within the department
• Supervises classroom instruction
• Helps teachers understand the special needs or problems of individual students
• Supports the professional development of staff members
• Orients new teachers in the content area
• Plans, evaluates and oversees testing programs for assigned curricular area
• Assists department teachers in the handling of day-to-day issues related to instruction
• Supports the introduction of instructional ideas and strategies to staff members
• Enforces personnel policies
• Follows district evaluation policies and procedures for assigned staff
• Investigates concerns regarding employees
• Recommends for dismissal, tenure and job assignments
• Recruits, screens, hires, trains, recommends for hiring and assigns candidates
• Supervises and evaluates curriculum related activities
• Coordinates the assignment of student teachers and observers within designated curricular area(s)
• Evaluate and monitor system reports to ensure that all Special Education IEP's are in compliance with IDEA, State and Federal laws and regulations.

Coordinates the Review, Revision and Implementation of Departmental Curriculum. Coordinates articulation between sender districts and department

• Oversees the Sender School Articulation process
• Analyzes student progress in the content area
• Works with teachers to develop curriculum and assessments, e.g learning targets, curriculum guides and end-of-course assessments.
• Supervises the implementation of curriculum and instructional programs
• Facilitates the revision of the curriculum and course offerings
• Supervises and coordinates the ordering and use and maintenance of departmental instructional materials.
• Assists in the planning of departmental professional development.

Leads the Department(s)

• Implements board policies and procedures
• Organizes and coordinates departmental meetings.
• Keeps informed about current trends and practices in the various subject matter fields and disseminates professional information and materials to staff
• Collaborates with other departmental leaders to coordinate programs
• Participates in activities for continued professional growth
• Works to resolve both inter and intra-departmental conflicts
• Maintains open communication with parents, parent groups, and community organizations.
• Represents the district at professional meetings and conferences
• Provides Fiscal Management for the Department(s)
• Essential Duties:
• Contracts for purchase and delivery of goods and services
• Approves purchase requisitions for the department
• Obtains comparative prices and quotations when appropriate
• Manages extracurricular budgets
• Prepares and administers the budget for assigned departments
• Advises the principal(s) on the department's budgetary needs
• Communicates with the business office regarding fiscal matters
• Prepares and implements grants as appropriate
• Implements strategies to support Board Goals
• Provides Professional Outreach (presentations etc.)
• Provides Community Outreach

Manages Departmental Organization

• Maintains administrative records; prepares reports and correspondence
• Serves as member of core administrative team
• Supervises school-sponsored events; supervises chaperones as assigned
• Assists the principal in the overall administration of the school
• Performs other duties as assigned by the principal
• Manages requests for attendance and travel to professional meetings and conferences by assigned staff
• Conducts department meetings and attends relevant school, district and professional meetings as necessary
• Responds to requests for information about the department
• Assigns teachers and advises administrators regarding the master schedule
• Works with the building manager regarding facilities.
• Ensures the department complies with IDEA.
• Coordinate and monitor necessary medical training for staff and outside related service providers.
• Ensure that care plans are completed and shared with the necessary staff.
• Support extended school year program and special education compliance in summer school

Oversees Summer School Curriculum & Instruction

• Assists in supervising classroom instruction in summer school
• Evaluates teachers in summer school
• Assists in recruiting, screening, training, recommending for hiring and assigning candidates in summer school
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of summer school
• Budgets for summer school supplies and instructional materials for summer school

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 205 day work calendar with irregular or extended work hours including evenings and weekends.

SALARY RANGE: Target hiring range for this position will be between $130,000 to $160,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Apply online at: www.niles219.org

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Niles Township High Schools District 219 is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the policy and practice of District 219 to decide all matters relating to employment solely on the basis of the applicant's ability to perform the essential functions of the position. District 219 ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, color, national origin, religion, age, or handicap.