Duties
To work in collaboration with the District Administration to: ? Identifies and implements practices which lead to effective education and services for students with special needs, in compliance with federal and state regulations and district policy ? Develops and monitors the budget for the Special Services department ? Oversees Medicaid billing and compliance ? Supervises the assessment and annual review process for students with special needs ? Facilitates Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team decisions regarding appropriate services and student placement within or outside the district ? Ensures availability of staff and materials resources to meet identified student needs ? Establishes a collaborative culture with staff, parents/guardians and students focused on student achievement ? Collaborates with district staff to identify student assessment methods with measurable outcomes ? Monitors student progress and works collaboratively with district Administrators to implement special education programs, monitor the Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) process, develop coordinated special education services and conduct program reviews ? Recommends and provides in-service training for the special services and general education staff regarding new legal mandates and best practices ? Oversees the completion and maintenance of special education records and reports in compliance with federal and state regulations and district policy ? Fields inquiries, complaints and concerns from parents/guardians, district personnel and the Board ? Recruits, hires and trains special education department staff, maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations and district policy ? Collaborates with Administrators in the interviewing and hiring process for district special education staff ? Determines needs for program modification and new programs and services in accordance with federal and state legislation and the district workload plan for special education teachers ? Supervises and evaluates School Psychologists, School Nurse, Speech & Language Pathologists, department assistant, and others as assigned ? Encourages leadership and professional growth among department staff ? Develops educational programs for families and community related to special education initiatives ? Provides ongoing feedback and support to staff regarding implementation of data-driven instruction ? Models professional, ethical and respectful behavior ? Communicates effectively with district’s internal and external stakeholders ? Seeks out potential partnerships with groups and organizations with the intent of addressing student/program needs ? Maintains compliance with Board policy ? Seeks opportunities for, and participates in, professional development ? Makes provisions for being available to students and parents/guardians for education-related purposes outside instructional time when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms ? Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities ? Maintains membership in professional organizations ? Administers all procedures related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act ? Assists in the interpretation and application of district policy ? Provides support and resources for teachers to implement differentiated instructional strategies ? Support Department Directors with current and future system deployments, maintenance and training ? Work with related service providers to monitor caseloads ? Serve as the district McKinney-Vento liaison by supporting students who qualify under the McKinneyVento Act, completing state required reporting, staff training, and providing program monitoring ? Collaborate with the North DuPage Special Education Cooperative (NDSEC) in the completion of their annual report ? Participate as a member of NDSEC’s administrative council ? Monitor the progress of students in NDSEC operated classrooms and help in the coordination of private placement decision for students ? Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent
Qualifications
? Master’s Degree in Education ? 5 years’ teaching and/or educational administration experience, or a combination ? Possession of, or ability to obtain, Illinois Administrator Credential with endorsement as Director, Special Education ? Extensive knowledge of Individualized Education Plans and Response to Intervention ? Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences ? Ability to maintain collaborative environment when faced with individuals in crisis