Executive Director for Special Education

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides executive leadership for district-wide Special Education services, budget and operations, staff members; responsible for the administration of all applicable Special Education laws, policies, procedures, and practices; directs and manages Special Education administrators and staff members; provides support for school-based administrators and other staff members. The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and other key duties that may be required. The description may not include all functions performed by the incumbents in various locations. The district reserves the right to modify or change the duties or the essential functions of this job at any time.

Requirements

Bachelor's (Baccalaureate) degree (e.g., B.A., A.B., B.S.)
Master's degree (e.g., M.A., M.S., M.Eng, M.Ed, M.S.W., M.B.A., M.L.S.)
Initial Principal License and/or Initial Administrator License ( Meets eligibility requirements and has applied for licensure at least one month prior to the start date for the position )
Initial Special Education Director License ( required within 18 months of start date )
3-5 Years Licensed School Site Experience
3-5 Years Administrative Experience in a School or District Level Position
Ability to adapt to changing technologies and to learn functionality of new equipment and systems
Ability to collect, analyze, and report data for program evaluation and improvement
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in various software systems
Ability to establish and maintain effective communications and working relationships with individuals from many diverse backgrounds and professions including supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, and the general public
Ability to follow oral and written instructions
Ability to greet and interact with the public in a courteous and professional manner
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities
Ability to operate standard office equipment, performing a wide range of supportive tasks
Ability to plan and manage budgets including state and federal grant money
Ability to plan, lead, and facilitate the work of teams and committees
Ability to utilize technology effectively to enhance learning
Ability to work cooperatively with others in program development, implementation, and evaluation
Ability to work days, hours, locations, and assignments as directed by the supervisor within the position responsibilities
Ability to work independently without direct supervision
Ability to work with building and district level administrators
Computer proficiency including office productivity applications
Demonstrates citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness
Demonstrates effective planning, organization, implementation and communication skills, including problem solving and conflict resolution
Detail-oriented, energetic, creative, innovative, flexible
Enthusiasm for the field of Special Education
Evidence of successful change leadership at many levels of an organization
Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills
Experience in leadership roles, professional learning, program development, and evaluation
Knowledge of and experience with Special Education laws, compliance indicators, IEP monitoring and auditing processes, policies, procedures, programming, and best practices
Knowledge of and experience with the use of technology, especially as it improves teaching and learning
Knowledge of Colorado Academic Standards and implementation
Knowledge of Colorado Department of Education qualifications for licensed Special Education staff
Knowledge of curriculum, supervision, instruction, school-based processes and operations, culture, and community along with a strong student focus on individualizing for special needs
Knowledge of educational pedagogy
Knowledge of effective professional learning practices for adult learners
Knowledge of elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education
Knowledge of research-based best practices in assessment, curriculum, and instruction, especially related to Special Education
Proven ability to articulate a vision and implement it within an organization
Proven ability to listen and learn from feedback and adjust accordingly
Proven experience in dealing with challenging situations
Proven experience in making improvements to programs and processes
Proven successful supervisory experience
Strong knowledge of Colorado Academic Standards, methods to ensure they appear in IEP's and Inclusive Practices for students with disabilities
Understands and can successfully lead change at many levels of the organization
Willingness to participate in ongoing training

Nice To Haves

3-5 Years Building Principal Experience
3-5 Years Special Education Experience
Experience at Elementary and Secondary School Levels

Responsibilities

R eports consistently for work as scheduled
Performs other duties as assigned
Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards
Assists in recruitment and selection of Special Education and related student support staff and develops and maintains staffing structures that support programmatic needs, student enrollment, service requirements, and organizational priorities
Collaborates with directors and leaders for curriculum and instruction, assessment, professional learning, and other departments to coordinate intervention processes, instructional supports, assessment practices, and services addressing the unique learning needs of students with disabilities
Collaborates with principals in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating Special Education services and programs and provides technical assistance and professional guidance to school leaders and staff
Collaboratively develops, allocates, monitors, and manages the Special Education budget, ensuring resources are aligned with student needs, organizational priorities, and applicable fiscal requirements
Communicates regularly with building administrators, the Special Education leadership team, and Learning Services leadership team to ensure alignment, consistency, collaboration, and effective implementation of Special Education programs and services
Coordinates with the Colorado Department of Education and other agencies regarding monitoring, corrective actions, reporting, compliance matters, and other regulatory requirements
Develops and implements professional learning offerings related to Special Education, specialized instruction, health and safety, behavior support, compliance, and other areas of student need to increase staff and administrator expertise
Develops and maintains partnerships with parents, students, community agencies, and community members to support the unique needs and educational rights of students with disabilities and ensure meaningful participation in educational decision-making
Ensures ongoing compliance with all laws, rules, regulations, Board of Education policies, and applicable state and federal requirements related to Special Education and related student services
Leads and facilitates cross-departmental collaboration, partnering closely with Learning Services and departments including Human Resources, Operations, Information Technology, Finance, Communications, and other District functions to support students with and without disabilities
Monitors, evaluates, and improves instructional practices and service delivery through formal and informal assessments, analysis of data, program evaluation, compliance monitoring, and identification of research-based best practices
Oversees and allocates District Special Education staffing resources and analyzes school-level caseloads and service requirements to determine appropriate staffing allocations
Oversees data collection, documentation, monitoring, and reporting processes for compliance and other local, state, and federal requirements and ensures the accuracy and timeliness of submissions
Oversees Special Education policies, procedures, programs, and service delivery across authorized schools and monitors implementation of requirements related to identification, evaluation, IEP development and implementation, procedural safeguards, and student and family rights
Oversees the allocation, monitoring, reporting, and compliance of state and federal grant funds, including IDEA and Medicaid-related resources, and communicates funding matters to appropriate District leaders
Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for Special Education and related student support services across the District, ensuring alignment, consistency, accountability, and equitable access to high-quality services across diverse school communities
Provides leadership and vision in the identification, implementation, and evaluation of research-based practices in assessment, curriculum, instruction, professional learning, programming, and inclusive practices for students with disabilities
Provides leadership in change management, systems improvement, resource allocation, and organizational capacity-building to address competing priorities and ensure consistent and effective implementation across the District
Provides oversight of the District Behavior Team, including supervision and coordination of Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and Registered Behavior Technicians, to support effective behavioral interventions and services for students with and without disabilities
Provides oversight of the District nursing program, including supervision and coordination of lead nurses, to support effective delivery of health services for students with and without disabilities
Provides supervision and evaluation for licensed and classified staff as assigned, including directors and administrators, and provides strategic direction, professional support, performance oversight, and accountability
Reviews and analyzes Special Education data, compliance indicators, student achievement and growth data, and other performance measures to identify areas for improvement and inform District accountability and school-improvement processes
Serves as the District’s Authorizing Unit (AU) Director for Special Education and ensures compliance with IDEA, ECEA, CDE requirements, Board of Education policies, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations
Serves as the executive designee for legal and regulatory matters, including Office for Civil Rights complaints, state complaints, and due process proceedings, and coordinates with legal counsel and District leaders towards appropriate resolution
Supervises and supports the work of administrators and assists with committees, program evaluation, standards and assessment implementation, professional learning activities, strategic initiatives, and District projects
Utilizes student achievement, growth, program, staffing, and service data to drive instructional programming, resource allocation, program evaluation, and continuous improvement for students with disabilities
Works closely with the Assistant Superintendent for Learning Services and other District leaders to ensure the mission, vision, strategic priorities, and accountability expectations of Learning Services are achieved