Job Description:

The Director of Special Education is responsible for directing all special education programs, including development, implementation, evaluation, and re-evaluation of the district’s K-12 special education program.  The Director of Special Education reports to the Assistant Superintendent and the Superintendent. 
 
Qualifications: 

1. Education: Master’s Degree plus, Doctorate preferred.
2. Certification: Proper administrative certification as determined by the PA Dept. of Education.
3. Performs a variety of duties, able to make judgments and work under high levels of stress.   

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:  

1. Possesses strong instructional leadership and decision-making skills.
2. Possesses proven analytical and organizational skills.
3. Possesses excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
4. Ability to learn and use district-specific technology (hardware and software) to effectively perform assigned work duties.
5. Possesses knowledge of federal and state laws, Board Policies, and District and Building procedures and protocols.
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
7. Demonstrates ability to work collaboratively with staff, co-workers, community members, parents, board members, and administration.
8. Proficient data collection, data reporting, and interpretation skills.
9. Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
10. Ability to work with frequent interruptions and frequently working extended or non-standard hours.
11. Ability to attend work regularly at assigned work hours subject to lawful leave rights and responsibilities. 
12. Ability to successfully address emergency situations that pose a risk to the well-being, safety, and security of the students and staff.

Functions/Duties/Responsibilities: 

1. Oversee the daily operations of all special education programs in the district.
2. Responsible for assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the district’s special education program, as well as providing strategies for improving the special education programs for kindergarten through twelfth (12) grade.
3. Develops and implements special education policies, procedures and programs in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations as they pertain to Chapter 14, 15, and 16.
4. Works collaboratively with the Teaching, Learning and Technology Department to ensure effective implementation of curriculum and instruction for all students in the District.
5. Conducts regular reviews of instructional materials used in special education classrooms to determine alignment and appropriateness of materials based on student data and outcomes.
6. Coordinates and monitors special education placements outside school operated programs, in addition to participating as the LEA Representative of special education placements outside school operated programs as determined by the IEP team.
7. Coordinates special education homebound and instruction conducted in the home programs.
8. Monitor the Extended School Year (ESY) Program and expenditures related to ESY programming.
9. Works collaboratively with the Department of Transportation to assist in specialized transportation for the special education program and assist in the resolution of problems that occur with the transportation of students within the special education program.
10. Collaboration with LCTI Student Services Staff and Special Education Staff.
11. Responsible for the development of the district’s Special Education Plan.
12. Responsible for submitting Contingency Fund Applications to the Bureau of Special Education.
13. Responsible for Compliance Monitoring, as required by the Bureau of Special Education.
14. Coordinate the implementation of federal and state grant applications and manage appropriate IDEA grants.
15. Submit budget recommendations to the superintendent, consistent with the needs of the department, while monitoring expenditures and ensures fiscal responsibility.
16. Responsible for meeting with the following departments on a regular basis: school psychologists, speech therapists and educational teams.
17. Provide consultation to district’s regular education staff and parents regarding issues related to special education.
18. Serves on a variety of district wide committees in order to set goals, evaluate programs and make improvements.
19. Serves as District Contact Representative to CLIU #21.
20. Foster positive relationships with families of students with disabilities by providing support, resources, and opportunities for collaboration.
21. Other duties assigned by the Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent.