Assistant Director of Infinity Academy

THE ARC OF THE OZARKS • Ozark, MO

2d • $59,000 - $70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Arc of the Ozarks is seeking an Assistant Director of Infinity Academy, a private year-round school serving middle and high school students with autism spectrum disorder, giftedness, learning differences, and other developmental disabilities. Infinity Academy provides an individualized learning environment where students can grow academically, socially, emotionally, and independently. Our students benefit from a supportive school model that blends academics, life skills, social communication, executive functioning, arts, career exploration, and individualized support. This is a strong opportunity for a certified special education professional who is ready to step further into school leadership while staying closely connected to students, families, and staff development. As the Assistant Director of Infinity Academy, you will work closely with the Director of Educational Services to support the daily operations, student programming, staff supervision, family communication, and continued growth of Infinity Academy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from an accredited college or university
• Current Missouri teaching certificate in Special Education and/or Learning Disabilities, such as ED and/or LD
• At least six years of professional experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, gifted learners, or other developmental disabilities
• At least two years of supervisory, administrative, leadership, or management experience
• Direct experience supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder
• Experience in educational or community-based services for individuals with developmental disabilities
• Licensed and insured driver with the ability to obtain a Missouri Class E Driver’s License
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to work with and respect people with intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities.
• Ability to work varied and flexible hours and to accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc.
• Thorough and practical knowledge of the principles and practices of elementary, secondary and special education.
• Considerable knowledge of positive behavior supports principles and practices, and cognitive behavior management techniques as they apply to therapeutic treatment and education for those with autism spectrum disorder, gifted learners, and other developmental disabilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Directors and administrators, teachers, therapists, parents, guardians, and stake holders.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• A licensed and insured driver, with ability to obtain a Missouri Class E driver’s license.
• Six years of professional experience (two of which must be in administrative management capacity) in working with people with autism spectrum disorder, gifted learners, or related developmental disabilities.
• This experience must have been involved in the provision of educational or community-based programs for people with intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities.
• Specific experience with individuals with autism is required.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in special education is required.
• A current teacher’s certificate with the State of Missouri required.
• The teacher’s certificate should be in ED and/or LD.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Special Education or a related field
• Certification or specialized training in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Gifted Education, or High Incidence Special Education
• Experience in an alternative education setting
• Experience with positive behavior supports, behavior intervention strategies, or cognitive behavior management techniques
• Experience supporting students with emotional regulation, sensory sensitivities, executive functioning needs, or social communication needs
• Master's in Special Education with an emphasis or certification in ASD, Gifted Ed or High Incidence Special Education (i.e., mild ASD, LD and EBD are under “high incidence”)

Responsibilities

• Help lead daily school operations and educational programming
• Supervise, coach, train, and support Infinity Academy staff
• Assist with student enrollment, admissions, transitions, and discharge planning
• Partner with families, guardians, staff, and community partners to support student success
• Support individualized academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and life-skills planning
• Help maintain student records, documentation, attendance, reporting, and compliance standards
• Support positive behavior supports and intervention strategies
• Assist with parent conferences, school scheduling, staff schedules, and student activities
• Participate in staff recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and training
• Help develop and evaluate programming that supports student growth and independence
• Model best practices in special education, student support, and team leadership
• Supervises Infinity staff.
• Observes staff interaction with Infinity families and students; and prepares performance evaluations of all assigned staff.
• Participates in interviewing, hiring, and training staff candidates.
• Collaborates with the Director to provide New Parent, Staff and Volunteer orientations.
• Arrange and complete staff schedules, Infinity transportation schedule and coordinate with staff and professionals on student schedules.
• Develops, collects data and implements the Infinity Strategic Plan for advancing academic and therapeutic achievement.
• In conjunction with the Director, supervises the enrollment, transfer, discharge, and admission process for students and ensures documentation, records, and files are kept in accordance with agency guidelines.
• Participates with the Director and other administrative staff in the formulation and implementation of administrative procedures, rules, and regulations pertinent to program services.
• Participates in activities relating to the development, coordination, and implementation of the Educational Services Department.
• Works with the Director in the development of programs to meet strategic planning for the educational services department by implementing, coordinating, and evaluating therapeutic and academic programs adapted to the individual needs of Infinity students.
• Reports on and prepares monthly Infinity operational reports
• Collaborate with the Director to foster, develop and coordinate individual and group activities with families, community organizations and businesses for Infinity Academy
• Provide leadership and direction for staff to assist in maintaining standards and ensure training compliance.
• Keeps current on education topics relevant to general and special education.
• Provide individual and group guidance for individuals and parents/guardians to develop and initiate transition goals and objectives for students at Infinity.
• Assists in maintaining quality assurance
• Investigates reports of infractions of the rules; complaints of students, parents, and/or guardians, employees, and community stakeholders; and takes appropriate action or refers problems to the Director for resolution.
• Ensure attendance and billing for services are accurate and completed by the required time frame.
• Direct and coordinate staff supervision through modeling best practices as well as observations and written follow up and recommendations.
• Meet with parents, guardians, and students to plan, communicate and support progress.
• Provides and supports an environment that sets the standard for excellence in an educational setting.
• Keeps the Director informed through periodic reports concerning various phases of program responsibility.
• Arrange and schedule for parent conferences and provide support throughout the day of the conferences.
• Work with the Director to develop and distribute the annual school calendar.
• Provide and coordinate the educational program for students including assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation.
• Review reports and related information and distributes to parents.
• Monitors enrollment and works with the Director to recruit families and students to maintain enrollment requirements.
• May teach classes, organize and conduct staff training and accompany students on field trips.
• Supervises all functions of the Infinity program for The Arc of the Ozarks and assists in development of the annual program budget; tracks, monitors and manages program resources within that budget.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance eligibility after a 0-day waiting period
• Employer-paid life insurance and AD&D coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan eligibility immediately, with employer match up to 4% after one year of service
• Sick and vacation accrual
• 7 paid holidays per year
• Paid day off to celebrate your birthday

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level