Skip to main content

This job has expired

Executive Director: PEC - Programs for Exceptional Children Department (2019-20)

Ref: PCN2807

TITLE:

Executive Director, PEC

REPORTS TO:

Deputy Chief of Student Services

DEPARTMENT:

Student Services

CLASSIFICATION:

Certificated Management Confidential

FLSA:

Exempt

WORK YEAR/HOURS:

227 Days

ISSUED:

Created: June 2016

SALARY GRADE:

Employee Contract

BASIC FUNCTION: Under the direction of the Deputy Chief of Student Services, the Executive Director of Programs for Exceptional Children performs a variety of leadership, supervisory and administrative tasks in monitoring and assisting the Programs for Exceptional Children in the Oakland Unified School District. The Executive Director of PEC leads, directs and supervises programs and services for students in the system with special needs; coordinates the efforts of federal, state and local agencies, administrators, private specialists, parents, and division supervisors to provide the services needed by students as determined by division staff; monitors the overall effectiveness of programs and ensures all are implemented within federal, state and local regulations.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: (Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to reflect the principal job elements accurately.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Plan, develop, and implement a comprehensive program for students with special needs which assesses the needs of students, establishes objectives and priorities, delegates responsibilities to staff, develops strategies to achieve objectives and evaluates programs.

Lead state special education self-reviews and other compliance reviews; ensure submission of required reports at the District, state and federal levels.

Direct the District's program evaluation, internal compliance audits, state and federal reporting requirements and management information services.

Provide direction, consultation and supervision to program staff; consult with centrally-based staff and school-based staff on individual cases and on interpretation of federal, state and local policies and procedures; interpret and provide guidance for the implementation of state and federal legal mandates regarding Programs for Exceptional Children and services to children with special needs.

Provide leadership in the monitoring of services provided to District students who are not directly assigned to a school within the District: home-based program, students in non-public school settings and students placed outside the District; ensure out-of-district placement of students is completed in an efficient and effective manner.

Develop and implement standards, policies and procedures related to special education services; develop short- and long-range goals for the division; monitor the progress of various services; make recommendations for changes; update and ensure implementation of the District's policies and procedures as they relate to students in special education programs.

Work in conjunction with the State Department of Public Instruction, the Office for Civil Rights, and various other agencies to meet the needs of students; prepare and monitor contracts with individuals and agencies for special services not available through the school system; ensure compliance of programs with federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Lead and attend a variety of meetings/committees; represent the District in collaborative/partnerships/task forces with the City, County, human service agencies, institutions of higher education, business/industry, and judicial and law enforcement agencies as assigned.

Provide leadership in the alignment of curriculum, implementation of state testing requirements and program enhancement designed to improve the quality of services and outcomes for students; recommend programmatic and staff changes to Chief Academic Officer.

Work with staff in program evaluation, design, interpretation of data and scientific decision-making strategies.

Make decisions and present recommendations concerning and impacting critical educational and administrative operations.

Consult with staff, parents and outside agencies regarding special education students and programs/services offered.

Coordinate with local agencies, parents and school personnel to resolve problems and secure needed resources.

Respond to Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer, Deputy Chief of Student Services, Leadership Team, administrators, staff, parents and representatives from outside agencies regarding special education related issues.

Ensure communication and dissemination of program information to staff, school sites, parents, Board and Superintendent's Cabinet.

Provide direction and information to the Board and Superintendent's Cabinet on issues specific to Special Education.

Provide leadership in the implementation of the Program for Exception Children Strategic Plan providing written updates to the Superintendent, Leadership Team, staff, parents and the community as needed and requested; update and revise Strategic Plan as needed.

Attend Board meetings and prepare reports as requested by the Chief Academic Officer, Superintendent and Leadership.

Represent the District, when requested, in mediation, administrative hearings and court proceedings relating to students in need of or receiving special education services.

Participate in special education programs with public and private organizations and agencies including Alameda County Office of Education and Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA).

Attend regular Special Education Advisory Committee meetings.

Plan, coordinate, and arrange appropriate training for assigned staff to ensure professional development opportunities.

Follow procedures for safe storing and integrity of all public and confidential school records, ensuring personnel and student record keeping procedures comply with state, federal and District laws and policies.

Protect confidentiality of records and information gained as part of exercising professional duties and use discretion in sharing such information within legal confines.

Provide training and assist staff with the implementation of regulations involving confidential information.

Supervise, evaluate, and hold accountable the performance and professionalism of assigned staff; interview and select employees, and recommend transfers, reassignments, terminations, and disciplinary actions.

Provide leadership in the development and preparation of annual budgets for special education programs; coordinate with other departments or agencies to ensure maximum services; monitor expenditures of approved budget.

Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The District determines whether a candidate is qualified based on fulfillment of prerequisites, relevant work experience, ability to perform the essential functions, reference checks, effective interpersonal and communication skills demonstrated by interview performance and/or writing samples, and achievement on performance-based assessments (if applicable) that demonstrate the candidate possesses the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities. Meeting prerequisites only satisfies the initial screening process and does not indicate the candidate is qualified to perform the essential functions of the position.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

California Department of Education Frameworks governing work scope such as: Common Core Standards, Content Standards, Curriculum, Response to Intervention, Full Service Community Schools

Curriculum for special education programs

Counseling and testing programs for special education students

Federal, state and local agencies that provide services for children with special needs

Local, state and federal policies and procedures regarding children with special needs

County and District policies, procedures and standards regarding special education

The ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional organizations and/or federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations

The current literature, trends, methods and developments in the area of special education

The principles of supervision, organization and administration

Utilization of various forms of assessment to guide and design instruction

Effective pedagogy for ethnic populations, English, and Standard English Learners

Diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of District students

Budget and grant preparation and management to ensure fiscal responsibility

Funding opportunities and community contacts for assigned program

Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Principles and practices of administration, supervision, and training

Computer software, hardware, and related technology

ABILITY TO:

Plan, organize and administer a large, complex special education program and SELPA

Apply specialized special education knowledge to the administration and management of SELPA programs and services within established policy guidelines, research and evaluation concepts and solutions

Assess the needs of students

Plan, develop, implement and evaluate large programs

Develop and implement policies, procedures and standards for services offered

Evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and make recommendations for improvements

Maintain complete and accurate records and statistics and to develop meaningful reports from that information

Demonstrate cultural competence with diverse groups across race, ethnicity, religion, gender, class, and sexuality

Demonstrate excellent and effective written and spoken communication skills in English, including content, context, communication, conciseness, grammar and usage

Make oral presentations before large groups of people

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with multi-faceted public and private agencies and District departments, community, and others of diverse backgrounds, experience, and personalities

Model effective communication skills using tact, patience, and courtesy to understand and respond to the needs and expectations of team members and customers

Establish credibility with numerous constituents, effectively handle sensitive personnel issues, and be comfortable and effective working with all levels of an organization

Build and maintain strong relationships

Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures

Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action

Meet schedules and time lines

Work independently with little direction

Plan and organize work

Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports

Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff

Remain current on trends and development in the Special Education field

Operate personal computer, related software, and other office equipment

PREREQUISITES

Master's degree in Public Administration, Education Administration, Special Education or related field

Seven (7) years of directly related progressively responsible experiences with four (4) years of administrative experience in Special Education

Three (3) years successful experience as a special education teacher, school psychologist, school nurse, speech and language pathologist or other related certificated field

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of special education programs

Demonstrated understanding of the regulations regarding the operation of special education programs

Experience working with a variety of agencies and community resources involved with students and families

Experience in working with a diverse population of students and families within an urban school setting

Successful experience in working well in diverse economic, multicultural and multi-lingual communities and environment

Demonstrated success in executing significant budgetary and operational responsibilities at an executive level

Experience in management and development of large grants

Valid California Administrative Services Credential

California teaching Credential authorizing services in special education is preferred

Specialized subject matter expertise in special education required for SELPA director

Valid California Driver's License, if applicable

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS:

Employment eligibility will include fingerprints, tuberculosis and/or other employment clearance

WORKING CONDITIONS

ENVIRONMENT:

Office and diverse school site environments; driving a vehicle to conduct work; fast-paced work; constant interruptions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Consistent mental alertness; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects up to 30 pounds, occasionally 30+ pounds; bending and twisting at the waist, reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally; dexterity of both hands and fingers while performing duties; seeing to read, write and use the computer; hearing and speaking to exchange information, in person or on the telephone, and make presentations.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

The Oakland Unified School District does not discriminate in any program, activity, or in employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, gender, sex, or sexual orientation.



Primary Location: PEC Special Ed Local Plan Area (SELPA)
Salary Range: Per Year
Shift Type: Full-Time

Job Contact Information
Name:
Title:
Phone:
Email:

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert