Executive Director of Exceptional Children

Position Summary:
Under limited supervision, performs a variety of supervisory and administrative tasks in
monitoring and assisting the programs for Exceptional Children in the Alamance-Burlington
School System.

Employee directs and supervises programs and services for students in the
system with disabilities.

Employee coordinates the efforts of federal, state and local agencies, private specialists, parents, and division supervisors to provide the services needed by County students as determined by division staff.

Employee monitors the overall effectiveness of programs and ensures all are implemented within federal, state and local regulations.

Employee supervises Exceptional Children Program Specialists as well as Lead Psychologist, Lead Occupational Therapist, and Lead Physical Therapist. Reports to the Chief Student Services Officer.

Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree in education or a related field required.
2. Minimum of five years as an EC program administrator, or any equivalent combination of
training and experiences which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
3. Hold or be eligible for a license issued by the North Carolina Department of Education
with an endorsement as EC Program Administrator required.
4. Recent successful district level leadership experience preferred.
5. An applicant who has had prior experience in a related position must have a
performance rating which is acceptable to Alamance-Burlington Schools for such
experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Considerable knowledge of federal, state and local agencies that provide services to
students with disabilities.
2. Considerable knowledge of local, state and federal policies and procedures regarding
students with disabilities.
3. Considerable knowledge of the County and School Board policies, procedures and
standards regarding education.
4. Considerable knowledge of the organization and communication channels of the school
system.
5. Considerable knowledge of the ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined
by professional organizations and/or federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
6. Considerable knowledge of the current literature, trends, methods and developments in
the area of exceptional children.
7. Considerable knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and
administration.
8. General knowledge of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
9. Skill in counseling and developing staff.
10. Ability to assess the needs of students.
11. Ability to plan, develop, implement and evaluate large programs.
12. Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures and standards for services offered.

13. Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and make recommendations for
improvements.
14. Ability to use common office machines and popular computer-driven word processing,
spreadsheet and file maintenance programs.
15. Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and statistics and to develop
meaningful reports from that information.
16. Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
17. Ability to make oral presentations before large groups of people.
18. Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public.
19. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work
assignments.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Plans, develops, and implements a comprehensive program for students with
disabilities, which assesses needs of students, establishes objectives and priorities,
delegates responsibilities to staff, develops strategies to achieve objectives and
evaluates programs.
2. Provides direction, consultation and supervision to program specialists and leads;
consults with centrally based staff and school-based staff on individual cases and on
interpretation of federal, state and local policies and procedures.
3. Develops and implements standards, policies and procedures related to exceptional
child services; develops short and long range goals for the division; monitors the
progress of various services; makes recommendations for changes.
4. Works in conjunction with the State Department of Public Instruction, the Office for Civil
Rights,and various other agencies to meet the needs of students; prepares and monitors
contracts with individuals and agencies for special services not available through the
school system; ensures compliance of programs with federal, state and local regulations.
5. Coordinates with local agencies, parents and school personnel to resolve problems and
secure needed resources and services.

Physical Conditions and Nature of Work Environment:

Work is typically performed in an office setting primarily sitting at office equipment and files.
Light physical work requiring exertion of up to 20 pounds of force may be necessary for this
position. Regular attendance to school and other activities require travel throughout the district.
Occasional department needs require working beyond normal work hours. Daily contact is
made with employees at all levels and the general public, in person, by phone, and in writing.
These contacts may require considerable skill in negotiation, tact, and diplomacy and
persuasion. Occasional contact with local elected officials and Board members is necessary.