ESS Director

MONTEZUMA-CORTEZ SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-1

SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR

REPORTS TO:  Administrator of Support Services

POSITION SUMMARY:  The function of the Special Education Director is to provide, within legal and professional standards, an organizational framework in which efficient and appropriate special education programs can be delivered to students with exceptional educational needs.

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Share supervisory capacity for ESS teachers with the BOCS ESS Director and Building Principals.
2. The Director, will be responsible for the development, placement, implementation and evaluation of programs and services for students with disabilities and shall articulate special education with regular education where appropriate.
3. Assist, support, and supervise the planning, development, and teaching in a program designed to meet special education needs.
4. Coordinate and supervise the day-to-day operation of special education programs.
5. Participate in parent conferences and training.
6. Collaborate with building principals to supervise and evaluate special education staff performance and program suitability.
7. Assist the teams in evaluating students and placing them in appropriate programs.
8. Recommend changes and/or modifications to various special education programs.
9. Conduct special education faculty meetings. Recommend materials, approaches, and methodology to teachers of students with special education needs.
10. Serve as a liaison between special or regular education teachers and with agencies involved in programming for individual children with disabilities.
11. Assess the needs for staff development and provide the district with recommendations. Provide in-service for staff on special education topics.
12. Establish and oversee the record keeping methods that are required for students in pupil services/special education programs. Maintain a system of uniform recordkeeping for various disability areas.
13. Keep the District Administrators informed of the responsibilities concerning compliance with all laws, regulations and administrative rules that affect special education/pupil service programs.
14.  Consult with BOCS Director and District Administrator on legal concerns; parent/student issues.
15. Assist in the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of special education staff.
16. Share oversight for data usage and application for ESS teachers

17.  Educating self and supporting staff about all aspects of ESS from birth to 21

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

1. Provides on-going communication with district and BOCS personnel as well as with parents.
2. Acts as a liaison with community, county, regional and state officers and agencies regarding matters pertinent to special education.
3. Provide and interpret information to public organizations and parent groups regarding special education.
4. Other duties as assigned.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS:

1. Predetermine a course of action, planning, arranging and relating work for the effective accomplishment of objectives and organizing.
2. Demonstrate initiative through an assertive effort to shape outcomes.
3. Identify and separate essential facts or issues; deal with intangible issues in addition to “hard” facts; consider alternatives; have a broad range of perspectives; know how to research problems to acquire necessary data.
4. Ability to come to conclusions and shape decision-making based upon both tangible and intangible evidence and data; use good sense about essential issues and concerns.
5. Recognize the implication of efforts and will be able to reach mutual satisfaction among all concerned parties.
6. Effectiveness in oral and written skills that demonstrates getting the message across efficiently and effectively.
7. Effectiveness in getting people to accomplish a current goal or task.
8. Adjustable to change and capable of modification.
9. Other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: 

• Minimum Education
• Bachelor of Science
• Minimum Experience
• three years successful teaching experience

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATION:  Possess licensure as Director of Special Education; Possess licensure in at least one major special education area (CD, LD, EBD).

ESSENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:  Mostly clean and comfortable, some dirt and dust, some hazardous materials or situations.  All buildings/grounds in District Re-1 are tobacco free.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

• Frequent lifting 20 to 50 pounds
• Frequent bending, squatting, standing, reaching, sitting, walking, climbing, kneeling, crawling, stooping

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:  Makes hiring recommendations, reviews performance, trains, provides work direction and coordination, supervises all custodial and maintenance personnel.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. This job description is not intended to create any express or implied contract of employment or expectancy of continued employment for any definite term.