Operations / Administration Director of Special Education
Job Description
Position: Director of Special Education
Direct Supervisor: Executive Director of Academic Services
Location: Districtwide
Salary Schedule: LicensedDirector (range $107,769 – $135,523, based on the 23/24 salary schedules, experience and education)
Work Calendar: District Office – 252 days
Start Date: July 8, 2024
District Summary
Nestled within Colorado’s gorgeous Western Slope, the towns of Montrose and Olathe are surrounded by an endless variety of prospects for exploration and adventure (Black Canyon National Park, Telluride and the San Juan Mountains to the South, along with rivers, lakes and streams). MCSD is one of the largest rural school districts in Colorado, which means we are small enough to be neighborly, but still big enough to continue growing (with short commutes to
school and work).
Benefits
At MCSD, we care about our employees and their loved ones. Our benefits package consist of the following items: a variety of health insurance plans with employer contribution, including dental and vision insurance, Telehealth, a $50,000 life insurance policy with optional additional coverage, PERA retirement contribution, supplemental insurance options including pet insurance, no match tax shelter account options including 401K, 457(b), 403 (b) and Roth, before tax deductions and flexible spending options, paid leave options and holidays based upon the position, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Added perks: Great people to work with, professional development, advancement opportunities, and multiple wellness programs with incentives.
Definition
Under professional direction, the Director of Special Education will plan, organize, and coordinate special education and student service programs with a focus on innovative and inclusive practices. This role will oversee the implementation of co-teaching and co-planning strategies, as well as manage center-based programs such as Affective Needs (AN), Severe Significant Needs (SSN), Developmental Communication Classroom (DCC), Step Up, and transition programming. The Director will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, optimizing educational opportunities, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and inclusivity.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership and Organizational Development:
- Spearhead strategic initiatives to foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.
- Lead the development and implementation of inclusive practices, such as co-teaching and co-planning, across the district.
- Forge collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the alignment of special education services with evolving educational standards and community needs.
- Direct the design and implementation of innovative instructional approaches tailored to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities.
- Personnel Management:
- Assess and communicate the effectiveness of special education staff and provide targeted support for professional growth.
- Employ strategic recruitment strategies to attract highly qualified candidates who embody the values of inclusivity and student-centered support.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to district-level coordinators, fostering a cohesive and high-performing team environment.
- Manage and direct the functions of a district-level Special Education Department including but not limited to services provided by related service providers.
- Supervise the coordination of center-based programs including AN, SSN, DCC, Step Up, and transition programming by supervising district-level coordinators for such programming.
- Guide and direct department-level staff in coordination of related services and the providers of such services
- Departmental Management:
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Special Education Department, ensuring seamless service delivery and adherence to regulatory standards.
- Continuously evaluate program effectiveness and efficiency, making data-driven decisions to optimize resource allocation and program outcomes.
- Cultivate a culture of accountability and collaboration among team members, fostering a shared commitment to achieving excellence in special education provision.
- Advise and assist members of district and special education advisory groups to ensure thorough communication regarding special education programs.
- Monitor and review the performance of special education teachers and instructional aides, including overseeing professional development and training.
- Manage special education complaints to ensure the provision of required services.
- Administrative Tasks:
- Develop and implement robust information management systems to ensure accurate and timely reporting to regulatory authorities and funding agencies.
- Exercise fiscal stewardship by developing and overseeing budgets for special education programs, maximizing the impact of available resources while ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
- Foster strategic partnerships with external agencies and service providers, negotiating contracts and agreements to enhance the scope and quality of services available to students with disabilities.
- Develop and maintain management information and records systems necessary for compliance with county, state, and federal reporting requirements.
- Quality Assurance:
- Champion the principles of inclusive education, advocating for the integration of students with disabilities into mainstream educational settings whenever feasible and appropriate.
- Work collaboratively with Operations to oversee the Medicaid Administrative Claiming process and direct billing for Medicaid-eligible special education services.
- Implement robust mechanisms for addressing and resolving complaints related to special education services, ensuring prompt and equitable resolution for all stakeholders.
- Ensure the alignment of special education programs with district goals and objectives, state and federal mandates, and legal guidelines.
- Ensure compliance of all functions of the Special Education Department including IEP and 504 compliance and delivery of services.
** All other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications:
Knowledge of:
- Principles, practices, trends, goals and objectives of public education.
- Special education law and IDEA budgeting and related regulations.
- Philosophical, educational, fiscal, and legal aspects of special education operations.
- Organization, planning, and program evaluation strategies, techniques, and procedures.
- Curriculum and instruction design and delivery systems specific to special education.
- Research and development strategies, processes, and techniques.
- Human relationships, conflict resolution strategies and procedures, and team building methods and techniques.
Ability to:
- Plan, organize and coordinate the district special education program.
- Aide in the planning, development, and implementation of budget planning, and expenditure control processes and procedures.
- Evaluate, analyze and communicate complex problems, issues, and concerns, as well as recommend appropriate alternative solutions.
- Communicate effectively in oral and written form, utilizing a simplistic communication mode in ensuring understandable and thorough communication.
- Establish and maintain cooperative organizational, public, and educational community relationships.
Experience and Certification:
An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered.
Experience:
- Minimum of two years full-time experience working with students with special needs.
- Two years or more of full-time experience in a leadership position at the building or district-level including management of staff.
- Preferred: Classroom teaching experience/General Education teaching experience.
Education:
Preferred/Required:
- Hold Administrator Initial License
- Master’s or higher degree in special education or post-graduate degree in school psychology.
- Approved program verification form completed by your SpEd director program preparation program.
- Passing score of the PRAXIS 6991 (162) and
- Passing score of the PRAXIS 5354 (151) if you do not also hold a Colorado teacher license with a special education endorsement
Licensure note:
CDE Administrator or Principal license. Must be willing to enroll into a Director of Education program upon hire. TEE (Temporary Educator Eligibility) will be a condition of employment if CDE requirements are not met at time of hire.
Physical Requirements:
The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions.
- Persons performing service in this position classification will exert 5 to 25 pounds of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
- This type of work involves prolonged sitting, walking, and/or standing.
- Perceiving the nature of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, providing oral information, the manual dexterity to operate business related equipment, and handle and work with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job.
- Office environment: exposure to computer screens, use of computer keyboard.
- Must be able to travel from site to site.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.
Additional Requirements: The position classification performs decision analysis processes and makes decisions of considerable consequence, requiring the application and interpretation of data, facts, procedures, and policies.
To learn more about working for Montrose County School District click on the link below
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