2025-26 (Certified) Director of Special Services

GUTHRIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Job Description

Job Title:  Director of Special Services

Reports to:                 Superintendent of Schools

Department:              Special Services

Number of Days:        12 Months

Compensation:          Commensurate with experience

Position Summary:         Direct and supervise District’s Special Education Staff, Programs and Related Services in order to provide comprehensive educational services to all children with disabilities in the least restrictive learning environment; supervise the evaluation process of children suspected of having a disability, ages 3 through 21, under the provisions established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT of 2004 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the State Department of Education, and the District Special Education Policy/Procedure Manual to ensure that all students receive a free, appropriate public education.

Qualifications/Job Requirements:

                Education:

• Master Degree in Special Education or closely related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of three years successful teaching experience in special education required.
• Minimum of three years of administrative and supervisory experience with special education or related position preferred.

The Board of Education and Superintendent may approve alternatives to some of the listed qualifications.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides leadership, direction and coordination of resources to ensure successful implementation of student programs and services in areas of special education, psychology, social work, counseling and health services.
• Create and maintains organizational structures that promotes and supports delivery of exemplary programs and services in the areas of special education, psychology, social work, health, counseling, student support team (SST), and other related services.
• Prepares and supervises District and State Budgets under District, IDEIA and Medicaid.
• Assist immediate staff, principals, school staff, and the community in gaining knowledge and making decisions about research-based best practices in the delivery of knowledge and making decisions relating the delivery of the best practices of special education, psychology, social work, health, counseling, student support team (SST) and other related services.
• Demonstrates a record of data-driven decision making and fiscal responsibility to   sustain continuous improvement. Establishes a performance-based culture that establishes effective management systems to support exemplary programs and high quality teaching and learning.
• Analyzes the results of assessments to identify gaps in programs and services and develops strategic plans to address needs and implement state-of-the-art programs and services.
• Recruits, retains, leads and motivates a high performing leadership team.  Establishes and monitors district procedures and guidelines to ensure full compliance with federal and state statues and requirements for the efficient operation of the program.
• Understands the organization’s financial processes.  Prepares, justifies, and administers the program budget.  Oversees procurement and contracting to achieve desired results.  Monitors expenditures and uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities.
• Oversees the management of a workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing needs.  
• Participates in the recruitment, selection and evaluation of Special Education and Student Services employees.
• Advises administrators to address performance issues.  
• Keeps up-to-date on technological development.  Makes effective use of technology to achieve results.