Salary Range $75,606 - $104,693

SUMMARY: The Assistant Director of Special Programs assists the Director in providing management, supervision, and leadership to the district programs for students with disabilities. The Assistant Director serves as a direct point of contact for Special Programs Coordinators, Coaches, and Specialists, as well as itinerant staff and handles parent communication when there are concerns beyond what a Coordinator can address. The Assistant Director is the direct point of contact for out-of-district programs and handles the coordination of placement, transportation, and consultative support in those settings. Multiple special education district programs and activities require oversight and management by the Assistant Director, such as 18-21 Transition services, Extended School Year, intern supervision, and special education professional development. The Assistant Director also serves as the Special Programs point of contact for high schools and coordinates with high school administrators and special education departments according to their special education needs. As a leader in special education administration, the Assistant Director is able to support the Director of Special Programs with fiscal management, legal matters, and state department requirements and compliance expectations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Demonstrates knowledge of special education organization, programs, laws and best practices.

2. Demonstrates knowledge of organizational culture, assists with applying a systems approach to the development of special education programs and processes and assists in facilitating effective systems change.

3. Applies relevant federal state statutes, regulations, case law and policies which impact all children, including those with disabilities.

4. Assists with integrating general education and special education.

5. Assists in evaluating the efficacy and efficiency of special education programs, facilities, services and monitoring systems and using the data to improve the programs and services for all children, including children with disabilities.

6. Assists in recruiting, retaining and evaluating qualified personnel in order to effectively implement programs and services for all children, including those with disabilities.

7. Facilitates partnerships and engages parents, families and communities in the implementation of special education programs and delivery of special education services.

8. Assists in District budgeting and resource allocation.

9. Assists in completing Colorado Department of Education year end forms to include the previous year expenditure report, performance report, new narrative and narrative amendments.

10. Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively, get along with co-workers, and interact with colleagues in a professional manner.

11. Demonstrates a positive attitude towards change.

12. Incorporates legal rights and due process for children with special needs.

13. Perform such other tasks, attend other meetings and assume other responsibilities as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Shall hold a Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in school administration and/or special education.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum five years of experience as a special education teacher or in related support assignment. Experience as a special education administrator preferred.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & EQUIPMENT: Advanced knowledge and skill in understanding and applying IDEA procedures and requirements as well as state department requirements and effectively responding to regulatory change.

Demonstrates effective organizational, problem solving and conflict resolution skills; punctuality and good attendance; complies with all safety policies, practices and procedures, including proper use of equipment; reports all unsafe conditions/activities to supervisor, Human Resources, or Risk Management; demonstrates aptitude and interest for the work to be performed; follows appropriate District policies and procedures; meets deadlines; demonstrates confidentiality as related to job; develops and maintains professional working relations with other District employees; demonstrates ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with staff members, parents, patrons and other professionals; responds effectively to multiple responsibilities and ambiguous demands; provides own transportation for the purpose of conducting District business; shows continual compliance with regulations, rule or statute relate to Colorado State Board of Education Rules and Regulations, Colorado Department of Education, and Colorado State Law.

Demonstrates the ability to understand and apply CDE requirements and effectively responds to audits and regulatory change; assists in effectively hiring and supervising special education staff; assists with coordinating related responsibilities including district level teams, itinerant support, special education staff and state and federal regulatory agencies; demonstrates the ability to organize, implement and evaluate special education support staff and related programs; demonstrates knowledge of federal and state regulations as they pertain to special education; demonstrates an understanding and implementation of the professional competencies of special education; demonstrates knowledge of group processes, human dynamics and organizational management.

Advanced oral and written communication, English language, presentation/training, critical thinking, problem solving, and organizational skills. Knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations governing Special Education, school systems and programs including current trends in education methods for students with exceptional needs. Knowledge of classroom management and conflict resolution. Knowledge of and experience in Professional Learning Communities.

Ability to manage confidentiality in all aspects of job. Ability to promote and follow Board of Education, Superintendent, school and department policies and procedures. Ability to communicate, interact, and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds. Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment, and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS: Possess a Colorado Department of Education Director of Special Education Admin istrator License . Valid Colorado driver's license.
SUPERVISION/TECHNICAL: The Assistant Director of Special Programs is responsible for direct supervision of district special education department coaches and specialists and their related ESP as well as itinerant staff (school psychologists, SLPs, motor therapists, itinerant special education teachers, social workers).
JUDGMENT AND DECISION MAKING: Work is assigned by supervisor and self. This position requires position knowledge, independent judgment, problem solving, and decision making skills. Most decisions are made immediately without time for collaboration; supervisor is involved only in major decisions.

SAFETY TO SELF AND OTHERS: Low exposure to self due to repetitive motion or lifting. Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of him/her or others with or without reasonable accommodation. Must be capable of attending to the duties of the position for the duration of the assignment.

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is performed in schools and is mostly sedentary with periods of light physical activity. Typical positions require employees to walk or stand for long periods; routinely lift and carry up to 30 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; bend, kneel and crouch, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects, use fingers to operate computer keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to instruct, communicate and use interpersonal skills; frequently required to compare, analyze, compute, synthesize, evaluate, compile and negotiate.

Application Procedure:
Must apply online at www.hsd2.org and set up application file. Once you have completed your file, you must apply for each vacancy from the website that is of interest to you to be considered a candidate. See attached job description for additional duties and responsibilities.

FLSA Status: Exempt