Director of Special Education

Grand Rapids Public Schools•Grand Rapids, MI

60d

About The Position

This is an executive position within the instructional division reporting to the Superintendent and serving as a member of the District's Executive Team. This position acts as instructional leader for building principals, provides oversight and direction for all schools across the district for special education, early intervention services, and Section 504. This position ensures program integration with the other instructional and district departments, Kent Intermediate School District, its constituent local educational agencies, and the Michigan Department of Education. This position ensures compliance with special education Laws, Rules, Regulations, Acts, and Codes (State and Federal).

Requirements

Master's degree in education or a special education related field.
Seven years of professional practice or seven years of relevant special education administrative experience.
Hold a valid Director of Special Education certificate, or not later than 6 months after employment, become enrolled in a program leading to certification as a Special Education Director. Completion of the program must occur within two years of hire.
High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
Proven team leadership and problem solving (listen, identify problem and collaboratively problem solve).
Demonstrated ability to make good decisions that are consistent and fair within contractual guidelines and Board policies.
Ability to work with diverse groups, facilitate group discussions, and teach adult learners.
Ability to be a team leader, plan and manage multiple projects and budgets.
Attention to detail in composing, typing, and proofing materials, establishing priorities and meeting deadlines.
Good to excellent spelling, grammar, and written communication skills.
Excellent telephone etiquette and oral communication skills.
Recognition of adherence to the confidentiality requirements of the office and ability to maintain it at a high level.
Knowledge of current issues, problems and challenges faced by urban systems.
Demonstrated regular and predictable attendance.
Ability to work flexible hours, evenings, and weekends.
Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality.

Responsibilities

Ensures that each building and program supervised is employing the district's instructional model(s) and programs in a manner that will improve scholar achievement.
Ensures that each building and program has developed and implemented a building level professional development plan focused on improving instruction and scholar learning.
Ensures that each building and program implements the Michigan Curriculum Framework, assesses scholars consistent with the framework and develops appropriate schedules to meet unique needs of learners.
Supervises and evaluates (SE) administrators.
Develops and administers the SE budget.
Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, acts, and codes.
Monitors District performance on compliance indicators.
Monitors scholar progress.
Assists in recruitment, selection, and recommendation of hiring of personnel.
Responsible for managing scholar data system for individual records of all scholars receiving MTSS, SE, and 504 services.
Assists in the implementation of school policies and procedures to include special education needs.
Keeps informed of all legal mandates governing special education.
Organizes teams and other supports to assist staff in effective instructional practices and curriculum implementation that increase access to the general curriculum for scholars with IEPs.
Directs, manages, and implements on-going training to improve instructional delivery in conjunction with other Cabinet members.
Gathers and analyzes data for the purpose of improving academic achievement and scholar outcomes.
Collaborates and works closely with the Superintendent and other Cabinet members to develop and implement strategies that will lead to academic success for all scholars.
Maintains knowledge of current and emerging teaching and learning theories and strategies.
Maintains positive, cooperative, and mutually respectful relationship with all administrative and instructional staff and community stakeholders.
Leads the SE administrative team.
Performs other related duties and responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned.
Ability to work flexible hours, evenings, and weekends.