Assistant Director of Special Education

TCSEA is seeking an Assistant Director of Special Education.  Preference will be given to an administrator with a Speech and Language background but it is not a requirement.

SUMMARY

The Assistant Director assists the Executive Director with administering, supervising, and directing the Tri-County Special Education Association in accordance with the law and the Executive Committee and Association Council’s policies, procedures and directives and to provide leadership according to the Tri-County Special Education Association’s vision/goals.

DUTIES

- Respond to all requests for information about special education services, about Tri-County Special Education Association, or about programming for students with disabilities.

- Assist educators, family members, and community members with understanding special education services and advise them about community services as appropriate.

- Keep all personnel advised of most current methods, issues, and legal requirements.

- Engage in child-specific problem solving or consultation, as appropriate.

- Identify, recommend, and implement strategies to encourage effective collaborative problem solving within each Tri-County school.

- Attend IEP meetings as needed to share technical information or provide the specialized leadership necessary to resolve or minimize controversies.

- Locate needed resources, materials, personnel, services, or programs.

- Oversee data collection that allows for accurate completion of required reporting and claims for reimbursement.

- Write grant proposals as requested by the Executive Director.

- Coordinate technology requests and equipment.

- Advise and assist districts that are seeking specialized State Board approvals; temporary approvals for special education teachers, approvals for “Other Necessary Professionals,” deviations for class size or age range, variance requests. Provide for the supervision, evaluation and reporting about programs granted a deviation or variance.

- Assess programmatic needs on a periodic basis to make recommendations for program development or redesign. Communicate needs clearly to administrators and teachers.

- Coordinate and lead, as appropriate, efforts to improve the instruction for students with disabilities in Tri-County schools.

- Maintain familiarity with all programs operated by or used by Tri-County schools to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education for their students. When necessary, Assistant Directors facilitate students’ placement into these programs.

- Ensure that Tri-County forms and procedures are legally correct, clear, appropriate, understood and used consistently across member districts.

- Oversee the expenditure of IDEA dollars set aside for professional development.

- Conduct an annual needs assessment of special education in-service needs among Tri-County educators and parents. Report the results to local district coordinators and in the professional development plan.

- Coordinate the use of professional development dollars derived from Tri-County district assessments.

- Evaluate and report on the quality of professional development activities, including, whenever possible, information regarding the impact on educational programming.

- Collaborate, as appropriate, with others to provide in-service opportunities or to coordinate conferences.

- Assume responsibility for the design and provision of staff development activities for Tri-County personnel.

- Provide leadership to committees that study and make recommendations on issues affecting services within Tri-County Special Education Association, then prepare subsequent reports or summaries for the Executive Director and others.

- Understand Tri-County’s goals and assist with designing, informing and implementing activities that help to meet those annual goals.

- Communicate clearly about TCSEA priorities, procedures and initiatives.

- Assist with personnel matters at the discretion of the Executive Director (i.e., hiring, evaluation, and supervision).

- Assist with financial or grant writing matters at the discretion of the Executive Director.

- Draft proposals for policies, procedures, forms or for other efforts to help the cooperative meet its goals.

- Represent the local district, upon request, at administrative hearings or meetings.

- Represent Tri-County, upon request, at community meetings (i.e., Transition Planning Councils).

- Communicate important programmatic ideas, legal issues and professional development opportunities to the personnel employed by Tri-County Special Education Association and member districts.

- Manage and maintain the EmbraceIEP system.

- Oversee the operation of the TCSEA website and BambooHR system.

- Assist in the writing of, or recommend and draft, grant proposals that are consistent with organizational goals and/or district needs.

- Evaluate, or assist in the evaluation of, the extent to which special projects accomplish organizational goals or meet identified needs.

- Complete performance evaluations of Special Education administrators, Psychologists, Social Workers or others assigned by the Executive Director.

- Actively support the work of the Special Education Administrators facilitating successful implementation of services.

- Organize regular meetings of Special Education Administrators to provide for collegial support and collaborative problem solving.

- Review and follow the Policies and Procedures of Tri-County Special Education Association.

- Report incidents of suspected fraud or concerns about grossly inappropriate behavior to the Executive Director.

- Perform other duties as directed by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

- Minimum of a M.S. in school administration with a valid Professional Educator License (PEL) with an Administrative Endorsement and a Director of Special Education Endorsement.

- At least two years experience as an administrator or supervisor in public schools, the State Board of Education, education service regions, or in certain approved non-public schools.

- At least four years previous experience in an educational setting, preferably in a teaching or special education role.

- Must have valid driver’s license and access to a reliable, insured vehicle to drive between service provision locations in various member districts.

- Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite of Tools including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.

- Establish and maintain effective and courteous working relationships with those contacted in the course of work (students, parents and staff).

- Ability to understand and follow basic oral and written instructions.

- Ability to communicate to students, parents and staff in an acceptable/courteous manner.

- Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.

- Requires employees to have the ability to push/pull up to 15 lbs.