Director, Special Education (assigned to support Special Education Compliance)

San Diego Unified School District•San Diego, CA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

San Diego Unified School District, the second largest district in California and one of the top largest urban school districts in the United States, is looking for leaders who care deeply for students, inspire passion in their coworkers through collaborative leadership, and are committed to the communities in which they serve. The District seeks leaders who are committed to educational equity and work to create access and opportunity for our students furthest from education justice. Successful candidates must demonstrate their skill as an instructional leader, a firm understanding of school operations, as well as the capacity to build strong relationships with all partners within a school community. The Director, Special Education (assigned to support Special Education Compliance) will provide leadership and oversight of the Special Education Department’s efforts to fulfill the District’s child-find obligations for parentally placed private school students (PPPSS) within the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) boundaries. The Director will provide leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of integrated systems, programs, and services to support students with disabilities enrolled in non-public schools. This position will ensure that assigned programs and services are effectively coordinated and aligned with applicable federal and State special education laws, regulations, and District policies; facilitate collaboration with schools, District departments, governmental and regional agencies, and other partners; and support timely and effective service delivery for students and families.

Requirements

Master's degree in special education or related field and five (5) years of leadership experience in education.
Valid California Administrative Services Credential.

Nice To Haves

Special education teaching experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, manage, and direct the daily operations within assigned Special Education programs and services to support schools, staff, students, and families; uphold fiscal responsibilities; ensure compliance with State and federal mandates and District policies; provide leadership, direction, and supervision to assigned staff to continually improve and calibrate special education programs and services.
Provide leadership and oversight of the Special Education Department’s efforts to fulfill the District’s child-find obligations for parentally placed private school students (PPPSS) within the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) boundaries.
Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of integrated systems, programs, and services to support students with disabilities enrolled in non-public schools.
Ensure that assigned programs and services are effectively coordinated and aligned with applicable federal and State special education laws, regulations, and District policies.
Facilitate collaboration with schools, District departments, governmental and regional agencies, and other partners.
Support timely and effective service delivery for students and families.
Direct and assist in the design and implementation of district-wide special educational initiatives.
Direct special education programs, services, and school sites in support of equity and access; coordinate programs and services in general education and specialized settings; provide leadership in the development and implementation of special education programs and services in support of students and families.
Oversee policies and procedures for administering services for assessment, identification, certification, establishment of priority, and placement of students in special education program schools and classes for assigned programs and services.
Design and implement communications and service delivery systems that are effective in providing timely communications, support, and resources across the District.
Conduct research, analyze data, and prepare statistical reports to support and implement best practices.
Develop, allocate, and monitor budgets for assigned programs, services, facilities, equipment, staffing, and inventories to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Assist management within instructional departments in planning programs, implementation of services to support high expectations, and standards of performance for all students.
Collaborate with governmental agencies, regional agencies, and others related to special education services for students; organize and negotiate development of interagency agreements, coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts, and exchange information.
Provide leadership in the review of existing and pending legislation related to special education guidelines and District policies; recommend origination, modification, or support of legislative measures.
Plan, organize, and implement long and short-term projects to enhance special education programs and services to students.
Direct the preparation and maintenance of a variety of statistical and narrative reports, records and files for special education functions and staff to ensure reporting requirements are met for federal and state agencies, district officials and the Board of Education.
Plan and coordinate staff trainings in special education laws and regulations, compliance issues, corrective actions, program development, and related functions.
Direct the preparation of funding applications for new and existing grants and other funding sources and for reimbursement requests ensuring compliance with funding requirements as appropriate.
Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff.
Perform related duties as assigned.