Director of Special Education

Position Type:
Administration/Director

Date Posted:
7/23/2020

Location:
District Office, Matteson
(High-Needs School)

Date Available:
Immediately

Closing Date:
Until Filled

Director of Special Education for Elementary School District 159

Position: Director of Special Education: 12 Month District Office Administrative Position
Organization: Elementary School District 159
Posted: Immediately
Closes: Until Filled
Effective Date: 2020/2021 SY
Reports to: Assistant Superintendent of Diversity and Accountability

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Required:

• ISBE Type 75 General Administrative CertificateISBE Director of Special Education Endorsement5-7 years proven classroom/school experience, specifically aligned with special education.Proven experience and leadership skills.Demonstrates excellent communication skills, oral and written.Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of child growth and development, effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning assessment and diagnosis, special education law and research related to best practices.Demonstrates knowledge of special education law,504 Plan requirements and components of Response to Intervention planning.Demonstrates and has knowledge of special education funding and program development.

JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Special Education Services should have knowledge and experience of best practices and applicable law as it relates to the following:

• Special EducationStudent Discipline andStudent Residency.

The Department of Special Education primary focus will be on special education and related services. This position is responsible for the implementation, leadership and support, scheduling and assignments, professional development, and the evaluation of pupil personnel workers. The director must exhibit superior organizational skills; excellent communication skills, is compassionate; can provide effective collaborative and open-minded leadership; and is knowledgeable about recent research in pedagogy in the field of special education.

Additional responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist Department of Human Resources with screening and placement of special education applicants.Coordinate and administer all activities as it relates to the Individual with Disabilities Education Act.Coordinate all required meetings, deadlines and activities with the identified Case Manager(s) to ensure compliance at both state and federal levels.Coordinates services and resources related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.Coordinate and submit all pupil and personnel reimbursement claims via IWAS to ISBE as required.Collects, monitors, and analyzes data that contribute to increasing the academic achievement of all students, particularly Special Educational needs.Development and implementation of all state and federal mandates associated with IDEA.Develop, monitor, supervise and manage all aspects of the annual budgets for special education and related services; coordinate budget requests with individual schools relative to instructional programs.Develops training materials and resources related to implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973Direct and coordinate the Response to Crisis Planning for all schools and district.Direct and coordinate the Health Services Personnel and related services at the five schools.Liaison for ESD 159 for the Homeless Coalition of SCISC4 of Cook County.Liaison for ESD159 and the South West Cook County Special Education CooperativeMaintain communication network with other special education directors within the state.Maintain accurate database and files of former and current students served in special education.Oversee the Extended School Year (ESY) for IEP students.Oversee and direct the allocation of special education staff to schools in accordance with state and local standards and student needs.Provide technical assistance and consultation to schools with regards to Section 504 issues.Serves as a resource to staff, parents, and the community for Section 504, including the completion of administrative reviews and assistance with requests for mediation related to Section 504.Supports school, parent, and community efforts to prevent violence in schools and communities through consultation, mediation, and collaboration with other agencies.Responsible for numerous reports (i.e. IWAS, Medicaid, Fairbanks, ISTAR, etc.) to both state and federal agencies as well as the grant writing for IDEA Preschool and IDEA Regular Flow Through applications.

• Supervision, evaluation and consultation to identified staff (i.e. school psychologists).Supports principals and school staff in seeking appropriate programs to support students.

• State and federal grant applications with respect to IDEA. (Preschool and Regular Flow Through)

• Serve as the District hearing officer with respect to Student Discipline.Serve as the District hearing officer with respect to Student Residency.Student registration and enrollment.Serve as the school division's liaison in all matters concerning special educationWorks cooperatively with principals, the Department of Student Services, and district office to facilitate and coordinate the implementation of student services and to support school management plans and school performance outcomesAbility to perform other administrative duties assigned by Assistant Superintendent of Diversity and Accountability

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Ability to work collaboratively with principals to implement and monitor special education programs; ability to work in a supportive, collaborative role with staff in all departments and offices; ability to interface with other departments to coordinate reciprocal services for achieving special education goals; ability to interpret and remain current on all federal, state, and local mandates for special education and Section 504 services and to ensure that the school division is in compliance; handle confidential information discretely and professionally; use discretion and exercise sound judgment; exceptional public relations/interpersonal skills to respond to parents and advocacy groups and to serve as the school division's lead representative/contact person of programs for special needs students; effective management, supervisory, team-building, and problem solving skills.

• Establish and maintain effective communication with parents/guardians as it relates to IDEA, special education, student discipline, student registration and community outreach.Coordinate and administer all activities as it relates to the Individual with Disabilities Education Act.Development and implementation of all state and federal mandates associated with IDEA.Provide technical assistance and consultation to schools with regards to IDEA and Section 504 issues.Provide instructional leadership in Staff Development within the program and throughout the district pertaining to the program; promote research based pedagogical practices among program staff.Provide leadership among all departments as it relates to IDEA.Provides a continuous in-service program designed to improve the professional staff.Researches, plans and coordinates in-service training programs for administrators, parents, regular teachers, special education teachers, etc. in understanding special education students.Attends Board of Education meetings and presents information when requested by the Superintendent.Other duties prescribed by the Superintendent of Schools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Some evening and weekend meetings OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No
SALARY
The salary and related fringe benefits will be established by the Board of Education. The position of the Director of Special Education Services is a 12-month position.