Director of Special Education and Pupil Services - Vacancy ID: 168380

General Functions: Supervises and monitors the operation of pupil services offered in the District to ensure an appropriate education for all students. Directs and supervises Special Education, school psychology, mental health, school health, and English Language Learner services. Supervises and monitors at-risk programming and the Student Assistant Program (SAP). Ensures District’s compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Essential Functions: Works in conjunction with the District Administrators to ensure a comprehensive continuum of services that ensures success for all students in an inclusive environment. Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates the Special Education program and ensures the program’s compliance with district, state, and federal guidelines. Directs the student Individualized Education Program (IEP) process in a manner consistent with state and federal guidelines. Prepares state and federal reports. Handles formal complaints regarding the special education program. Consults with various community, state, and federal agencies regarding special education programs and individual students. Works with parents, teachers, and administrators to ensure that the IEP for each student meets his or her unique needs. Provides leadership and direction to special education teachers and educational assistants. Provides necessary professional development to ensure that staff maintains knowledge commensurate with Federal and State laws and best practice. Collaborates with District Business Manager to develop and administer all budgets related to Special Education and Pupil Services. Supervises Medicaid School-Based-Services (SBS) billing and Medicaid Administration Claiming. Consults with various community, county, state, and federal agencies regarding educational programs and individual students. Serves as community liaison for youth programs. Supervises and evaluates school psychologists, paraprofessionals, and Special Education teachers. Administers and coordinates at-risk programming and alternative school placements. Develops District’s At-Risk plan, as required by State Statute. Coordinates and monitors all homebound instruction requests. Supervises Student Assistant Program, including AODA and other grants. Works with School Nurse to coordinate and monitor district-wide school nursing programs, including Bloodborne Pathogen training, and school teams. Serves as liaison for mental health agencies. Supervises district-wide school counseling services. Coordinates and monitors English Language Learner (ELL) programs. Develops Title IIIA grant budget and required ACCESS Testing. Demonstrates skills in consensus building and mediation in order to constructively address internal and external client conflicts. Ensures District’s compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Develops and monitors Section 504 procedures. Ensures the district meets its responsibilities under state and federal law to students with disabilities placed in private schools by their parents. Serves, when needed, as District’s Pupil Nondiscrimination compliance officer. Oversees and assists in hiring, including developing job descriptions, job advertisements, interview questions, screening/interviewing candidates, and on-boarding new employees. Monitors student custody, residency issues. Works with staff and families to coordinate expulsion follow-up services. Common Performance Standards: Communicates with students, parents, co-workers, and members of the community in a positive, courteous, and respectful way. Performs duties in a safe and effective manner. Maintains appropriate levels of confidentiality for information. Follows the philosophy, policies, and procedures of the district. Acts as a representative of the District at school-related functions. Keeps parents, staff, and other District administration informed, as needed. Keeps abreast of current educational trends/issues through professional development experiences. Cognitive Requirements: The position requires significant cognitive effort to plan and carry out duties. Strong communication skills are needed for program evaluation and grant applications as well as for direct personal contact. Solutions require integration of complex information and the exercise of considerable analytical skill and independent judgment. Education / Work Experience Requirements: This position requires an advanced degree in educational administration (Master’s or higher) with emphasis in Pupil Services, plus experience in one of the Pupil Services disciplines. A Pupil Services/Special Education Directors License is required. School Psychology license preferred. Note: All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.