Assistant Director of Special Education - Infinity Academy

THE ARC OF THE OZARKS • Ozark, MO

2d • $59,000 - $70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Infinity Academy, a private year-round school serving middle and high school students with autism spectrum disorder, giftedness, learning differences, and other developmental disabilities, is seeking an Assistant Director of Special Education. This role supports the Director of Educational Services in daily operations, student programming, staff supervision, family communication, and program growth. Infinity Academy offers an individualized learning environment focused on academic, social, emotional, and independent growth, blending academics with life skills, social communication, executive functioning, arts, and career exploration. This is an opportunity for a certified special education professional to advance into school leadership while maintaining close connections with students, families, and staff development.

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
• 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
• Supervise Infinity staff, observing interactions with families and students, and preparing performance evaluations
• Participate in interviewing, hiring, and training staff candidates
• Collaborate 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
• Develop, collect data and implement the Infinity Strategic Plan for advancing academic and therapeutic achievement
• Supervise the enrollment, transfer, discharge, and admission process for students and ensures documentation, records, and files are kept in accordance with agency guidelines
• Participate in the formulation and implementation of administrative procedures, rules, and regulations pertinent to program services
• Participate in activities relating to the development, coordination, and implementation of the Educational Services Department
• Develop 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
• Prepare monthly Infinity operational reports
• 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
• Keep 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
• Assist in maintaining quality assurance
• Investigate 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
• Provide and support an environment that sets the standard for excellence in an educational setting
• Keep 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
• 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
• Monitor enrollment and work 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
• Supervise all functions of the Infinity program for The Arc of the Ozarks and assist 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: Manager