Executive Director: Instructional Support
OFFICE OF SPECIALIZED SERVICES
440 N. BROAD STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19130

Central Office

Job Number: 4600166057

Start Date:

Open Date: 10/17/2018

Closing Date:

*Minimum requirements updated 11/14/18*
Job Summary
The Office of Specialized Services (OSS) provides instructional and compliance support to schools throughout the School District of Philadelphia in furtherance of the improved educational and post secondary outcomes for students with disabilities. OSS also provides support to the educational entities throughout the Intermediate Unit 26. In addition, OSS directly manages operational activities pertaining to the transition for Part C to Part B services for school age students (early intervention); Extended School Year services (ESY); the unduplicated annual child count; and the procurement of materials and supplies for specialized settings for student with complex support needs.
The Executive Director, Instructional Support will provide direct oversight and administration of the instructional work of Learning Network Teams, Program Coordinators and Special Projects Assistants to ensure alignment with the strategic goals of the District and the Office of Specialized Services. The Executive Director will support and provide, as needed, oversight of the programmatic and instructional support team consisting chiefly of special education directors. In collaboration with the Deputy, the Executive Director ensures that direct support to school teams and administrators is aligned to data pertaining to outcomes for students with disabilities as measured against the common core of standards, and the integration of students with disabilities with their non-disabled peers.
Essential Functions

• Partners with the Office of Academic Support, the Office of Student Support Services, Assistant Superintendents, Principals, and other administrators to ensure the intentional, proactive and responsive design of professional learning opportunities.
• Uses instructional data from the District's data systems to monitor student outcomes, develop instructional action plans, coach regular and special education leaders and staff, and consult with District and Learning Network leaders regarding best research-based instructional practices for students.
• Supports the vision and process of delivering support to schools in their effort to provide effective instruction in the least restrictive environment.
• Collaborates closely with the Deputy of the Office of Specialized Services (OSS) to maintain the vision, mission and initiatives of OSS through the Intermediate Unit.
• Directs and oversees the OSS intermediate unit functions specific to charter school fiscal monitoring and equitable participation, related services, finances, marketing, interagency collaboration, and professional development.
• Provides oversight and management over operational functions involving special education students including: transportation; program relocations; compliance reporting for out of District placements and schools.
• Supports and oversees the Director of Out of District placements serving District students and other personnel with the review of data for trends and anomalies as a means of identifying databased strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of and to target technical assistance to improve services and service delivery.

• Ensures that data pertaining to the training and support OSS provides is systematically collected, reviewed and maintained to assess efficacy as measured by students outcomes and to proactively address programmatic concerns; directs and coordinates the school allocation process for special education.
• Analyzes the performance of educational programs; communicates and interprets program benchmarks through written reports and oral presentations.
• Collaborates annually with OSS staff and/or the Pennsylvania Department of Education to develop and maintain the Intermediate Unit Plan for special education service delivery.
• Collaborates with staff to strategize technical solutions and data collection systems (for example, EasyIEP, Pennsylvania Information Management System) designed to assure accountability, regulatory compliance, objective decision-making and revenue maximization through fiscal and data analysis.
• Collaborates with representatives of various District offices and field staff to assure support to school staff and community groups, communication, integration of information, and appropriate training.
• Serves as a liaison at the request of the Deputy, to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the Bureau of Special Education (BSE), and other SDP offices and external agencies and stakeholders.
• Oversees staff and programs for the provision of parent training for Intermediate Unit special education issues.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Eight years of full-time, paid, professional experience in special education, at least four of which have been in an urban setting and have included certificated special education teaching experience, and at least two years of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity with responsibility for operational initiatives and mandated services to schools, students, and families.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the federal, state and local mandates governing the implementation and operation of special education programs.
• current techniques, trends, programs and problems in the field of special education including instructional practices, data collection, resource management and service delivery in the least restrictive environment.
• the principles and practices for special education administration and program and project planning.
• supervisory methods and techniques.

Demonstrated ability to:

• lead special education staff in improving student outcomes.
• use instructional data, standards-aligned curriculum and Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals to align effective programming for students.
• coordinate and oversee an array of special education services and programs.
• work with computers, computer software and database applications.
• design cost-effective models for implementation of services that are consistent with applicable federal, state and local mandates.
• plan and implement operations for large scale, multi step projects using backward design.
• advise and act in a resource capacity to all stakeholders on instruction and operational functions.
• handle and meet multiple deadlines in a fast paced and demanding work environment.
• review and analyze school and District wide data.
• work independently in a fluid environment and as part of a team to accomplish goals.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Certificates/Licenses

• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania supervisory certificate in Special Education.

OR

• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative Certificate for K-12 School Principal.

OR

• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility.

Additional Job Information: This is a non-represented position. The salary grade for this role is 4032. Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Please note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview.