FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION OF UNIT

Primary Purpose: The Associate Director for Special Education, Related Services is a critical member of an integrated instructional program and compliance team in the Department of Specialized Services and is responsible for the development and implementation of effective assessment/monitoring tools for students with disabilities and students at risk of being identified as a student with a disability. The Associate Director for Special Education, Related Services reports to the Executive Director of Special Education.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees all aspects of the following related services: speech and language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, teachers of the visually impaired services, teachers of the deaf services, audiological services, and assistive technology services.
• Develops and implements effective assessment/monitoring tools for students with disabilities and students at risk of being identified as a student with a disability in the areas of speech and language, psychological evaluations, academic assessments, occupational physical therapy.
• Develops and implements hiring rubrics, observation rubrics and evaluation guidelines for use by Directors and building administrators who have direct supervisory responsibility for related service providers: and, in collaboration with the Department of Human Capital Initiatives and the Career in Teaching programs, assists in the screening, hiring, and mentoring of related service providers.
• Develops and implements related services guidelines that include a framework for level of services, entrance and exit criteria for each related service, and ensuring the related services-related IEP goals are designed to accelerate student achievement and are strictly aligned with district standards for academic progress for general education students.
• Develops and implements a data system that will measure the effectiveness of related services, and informed decision-making for district standards for services.
• Creates, convenes and oversees advisory council for each related service to ensure best practices, and to address areas of concern on an immediate and on-going basis.
• In collaboration with the Career in Teaching program, assists as necessary teacher mentors to support related service providers in best practices within their respective fields.
• Provides Directors with support in all aspects of assessments and related services, including but not limited to on-going professional development in the use of assessments to inform CSE decision making, interpretation of assessments, and effective parent communication involving assessments and related services at CSE meetings.
• Assesses the current functioning of, re-design as appropriate, supervises and evaluates the bilingual and summer assessment teams.
• Performs all other tasks and duties as assigned by Executive Director of Special Education

AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Development and implementation of research-based programs, and models for differentiated and specially designed instruction, and delivery of high-quality, effective professional development to all necessary district staff to allow for effective adoption and implementation of these models
• Continuing development of a continuum of services that aligns with the District’s initiative of increasing Principal autonomy and accountability.
• Development and implementation of effective transition programs for students with disabilities.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION:

• At least 5 years of effective teaching and/or administrative experience in at least of one of the related service areas including school psychologists
• Demonstrated expertise in oral and written communication and strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively with all levels of management throughout the district.
• Master’s Degree in Education.
• New York State Certification for School District Administrator (SDA) or School District Leader (SDL)