Supervisor of Special Education

Position Type

Administration- Supervisory/Supervisor of Special Education

Date Posted

3/31/2025

Location:

Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 Executive

Location: As determined by Administration

Reports to: Chief Education Officer

Terms: 12 Month

Labor Status: Exempt

Job Classification: Non-Bargaining Unit Compensation Plan - Non-Directors

Certification: As required by the PA Department of Education in accordance with the Certification and Staffing Policy Guidelines (CSPG)

Company Overview

The Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 is one of the 29 intermediate units that provides a vast array of services for member school districts, including student services, training and technical assistance, online learning, and customized programs and services. IU8 includes four counties comprised of 35 school districts (approximately 98 schools) and five Career Technical Centers. Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 serves approximately 47,000 students across four counties within 3500 square miles. Our service area includes four counties: Blair, Somerset, Bedford, and Cambria. We have five different office locations within our service area: Altoona, Duncansville, Ebensburg, Richland, and Somerset. AIU8 has opportunities for everyone and our service area offers a broad range of living environments from rural to more densely populated city areas.

Job Summary

The Supervisor of Special Education Services provides effective and compliant supervision and management to IU8 professionals and support personnel, as well as support to school districts and community partners serving learners ages 3-21. This position assists in the supervision, coordination, and evaluation of these services. The responsibilities include assistance in interviewing and hiring employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems. This position includes supervising the work assignments and training needs of the program. This position assists administration in the financial management of program budgets.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

• Direct supervision to assigned professional and support positions including, teaching professionals, other non-teaching professionals, education specialists- Speech & Language Pathlogists, and support personnel.
  
  

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervises and evaluates personnel, including the completion of walkthroughs, informal observations, and formal observations of staff performance
• Evaluates the performance of assigned staff using the appropriate evaluation procedures and corresponding forms
• Makes recommendations according to staff needs, including development of improvement plans
• Supports the Human Resources Department in the interviewing and hiring process, contractual issues, disciplinary process and the requirements for certification
• Supports the program's implementation of IDEA and Chapter 14 processes for eligible children.
• Supports IU data collection and reporting processes and procedures
• Assists the staff with individual planning of educational activities to ensure that the strategies utilized address the needs of the students
• Manages and monitors the compliance of educational programs of assignment
• Provides educational leadership for continuous improvement of programs and services
• Monitors documents to assure compliance with federal and state regulations
• Implements IU8 policies and procedures
• Communicates policies and procedures to staff, monitors compliance with policies and procedures and addresses all noncompliance
• Solves day-to-day problems presented by staff and students
• Responds to issues presented by stakeholders and administration
• Coordinates communication with stakeholders and ensures timely responses to inquiries from school districts, staff, parents, and community partners.
• Identifies areas of need for professional development and determine most appropriate option to plan and/or facilitate training to meet training and development needs
• Carries out training and follow-up procedures to assure implementation of skills
• Coordinates the educational program requirements needed to meet the needs of the students, school districts, and stakeholders
• Provides information on program and staffing needs by determining what new programs and/or changes to current programs are needed and communicating those needs to his/her supervisor.
• Communicate effectively in verbal or written form in a professional and timely manner.
• Maintains professional competence, expands and applies knowledge in professional area(s) by engaging in effective professional reflection to identify professional development areas then actively engages in professional learning tied to identified areas of interest and professional growth to stay current in the field.
• Demonstrates regular and timely attendance
• Must have personal vehicle for reliable transportation to all work locations.
• Performs other duties as assigned in accordance with IU8 Board policy, administrative regulations, state and federal laws.
• Assume other duties as assigned by the Chief Education Officer and other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and/or his/her designee.
  
  

Requirements:

• Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology, Special Education, Administration, or Education
• PA Teaching Certificate or other PA Certification/Specialist Certification determined by IU8 administration
• PA Supervisor of Special Education or Principal Certificate
• At least 5 years of satisfactory teaching experience or other educational experience determined by IU8 administration
• Current and acceptable clearances: Act 34 (PA State Police), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse History), Act 114 (PDE Fingerprinting), PDE6004 (Arrest & Conviction), and Act 168 (PA Sexual Misconduct background)
• Upon hire, all new employees must obtain a certificate of medical examination as well as a tuberculosis test as required under Chapter 14 of the Public School Code, 24 P.S.
• 14-1416, 14-1418; 22 PA Code
• 49.12(b) (regarding education); and 28 Pa Code
• 23.44 (regarding health and safety).
  
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Thorough knowledge of state and federal program laws and compliance standards
• Ability to work collaboratively and build/maintain positive and productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality
• Proficient with technologies for productivity, presentation, virtual collaborations and meetings, and the ability to maintain technology proficiency as new systems are adopted and new technologies emerge
  
  

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment And Physical Demands

The work environment is office settings, school and classroom settings, non-traditional education settings, and community/business settings. Significant travel within the IU region and some travel outside the IU region and across the state with overnight stays as needed.

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for an extended period of time
• Ability to move about various work environments
• Ability to position self to manage and retrieve various job materials and supplies
• Ability to push, pull, move, and lift up to 25 pounds
• Ability to operate a computer for extended periods and other office equipment as needed and work-related
• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand and exchange information with others in a variety of ways for understanding.
• Must be able to interpret, analyze, and problem solve.
• Ability and willingness to travel as necessary to fulfill job duties and requirements
• Some extended working hours
• Ability to read, understand, interpret and apply information from complex documents related to education, instruction, state regulations and guidelines, and federal regulations and guidelines.
  
  

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 Executive Director of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage provided with no monthly premiums
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Care Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSAs)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 403 (b) Plan
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pennsylvania Public Schools Employee's Retirement System (PSERS)
  
  

How to Apply: Online at: Https://www.applitrack.com/aiu08/onelineapp/

Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 is an equal opportunity employer