Special Education Program Supervisor

JOB LOCATION: This position is located at the Watsontown Children's Center, 1100 Main Street, Watsontown, PA 17777.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:  The Special Education Program Supervisor reports directly to the Director of Special Education and Alternative Placement and in their absence, to the Chief Academic Officer.

JOB DEFINITION:  The Special Education Program Supervisor is responsible for the direct supervision and evaluation of professional and non-professional staff assigned to classes and/or programs.  They are responsible for the classes and/or programs for students with special needs as assigned by the Director of Special Education and Alternative Placement. The Special Education Program Supervisor responsible to provide technical assistance to school districts within the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) region.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Management Functions
   • Coordinate Extended School Year (ESY) scheduling and planning.
   • Organize and prepare professional development for all staff.
   • Maintain accurate and compliant practices in relation to IDEA and individual student programming.
   • Undertake other professional or committee assignments as assigned by the Director of Special Education and Alternative Placement.
   • Manage classroom and/or program budgets, including distribution of Community Based Training funds as appropriate.
   • Assess district program needs and propose possible solutions to the Director of Special Education and Alternative Placement.

1. Staff Functions
   • Supervise daily schedules for teachers, aides, therapists, and other staff.
   • Evaluate competency and effectiveness of professional and support staff and submit recommendations to the Director of Special Education and Alternative Placement. Develop methods of evaluation for program effectiveness.
   • Direct CSIU teachers, aides, and specialists in instructional practices including curriculum and planned course development and implementation and CSIU methods to be used within classrooms and/or programs.
   • Establish program guidelines and coordinate curricular development so as to ensure consistent programming throughout the CSIU programs.
   • Responsible for monitoring and updating student records (academic and health) with the CSIU teacher and/or specialists.
   • Assist the human resources office when vacancies occur to obtain credentials of all qualified applicants. Review applications, arrange interviews, and hire new staff as needed.
   • Assist transportation in developing specialized transportation services for students with disabilities.

1. Educational Leadership
   • Provide technical assistance in special education/specific area of disabilities to staff, parents, and administration as it pertains to IDEA and Chapter 14.
   • Liaison and coordinate with appropriate state-approved agencies concerning specific referrals and recommendations.
   • Develop and supervise new programs as assigned.
   • Collect pertinent data for state reports; assist with securing information necessary for annual budget recommendations.
   • Coordinate specialized individualized student programming including prevocational, vocational, and behavioral areas.
   • Assist with ongoing activities of support groups and special activities within the CSIU region (Local Right to Education Task Force, World Autism Day, and specific support groups).
   • Develop and implement professional development trainings for teachers and support staff.
   • Assist teachers and support staff in developing and monitoring professional development plans.

1. Agency/Community Relationships
   • Act as advisor and liaison between supportive services within the school district, community, and services agencies.
   • Develop partnerships with region schools, higher education, community services agencies, and parents to ensure best practices.
   • Report classroom space needs to the Director of Special Education and Alternative Placement; coordinate annual requests for use of classroom space with respective district supervisors of special education.
   • Provide consultation to district-operated programs.
   • Act as liaison between parents, districts, CSIU staff and community/state agencies.
   • Assist districts, hospitals, correction facilities, and other organizations with the coordination of supports and services related to students and their families.

1. Legal Requirements
   • Ensure compliance with state regulations and federal law as related to procedural safeguards.
   • Direct and ensure that education personnel understand the requirements and implications of Special Education processes, procedures, and expectations.
   • As needed, manage due process activities: Pre-hearing conferences and procedural safeguards. Provide technical assistance to individual school districts as requested.
   • Assist professional support services (PSS) staff and teachers to ensure provision of required state assessments and alternative state assessments.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Performs other related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or designee.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:  

• The minimum requirement is a Master’s degree and a minimum of five (5) years of public school work experience teaching children is required.
• Pursuant to PDE CSPG #91-Supervisor of Special Education, a valid Pennsylvania 9215-Supervisor of Special Education PK-12 certification or a valid Principal PK-12 certification may be used for a Special Education Supervisor PK-12 assignment to supervise and direct special education staff at the building-wide or district-wide level. Will consider a candidate who holds a Master’s degree and willingness to obtain a Type 01 emergency permit in the area of 9215-Supervisor of Special Education PK-12 certification with educational obligation to enroll in a PDE-approved program to obtain the supervisory certification.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required including fluent and diplomatic verbal and telephone communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to prioritize the task based on project deadlines. And must be able to type accurately and maintain a high level of productivity.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding education programs, students and parents at all times adhering to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements to protect staff and student data.
• Must have the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, co-workers, community agency personnel, parents, and district personnel.
• Knowledge of and apply the laws that govern special education services and be familiar with all categories of programs for students with special needs.
• Must be organized, possess excellent time management and computer skills. Flexibility in adapting to various student educational and behavioral needs including schedules required.
• Computer experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, data entry, email and experience managing file sharing with Google Drive.
• Adept at using virtual meeting platforms such as Skype, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
• Must have ability to work effectively with colleagues, co-workers, community agency personnel, and students/trainees.
• Requires the ability to develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships using tact and diplomacy and to remain calm in unpredictable situations.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Current, approved Act 34 (PA State Police), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse Registry) and Act 114-FBI Fingerprint clearances are required and must be renewed at appropriate, specific intervals pursuant to Act 153 of 2014 (Revised Act 15 of 2015).
• Current, approved Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training certificate showing completion of a minimum of three (3) hours training every five (5) years.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Middle management supervisors are required to keep abreast of current trends, federal and state legislation related to special education, best practices regarding instruction, and research to ensure quality special education programs and related services.
• Maintain PDE certification requirements of Act 48 hours for the Professional Education Records Management System (PERMS) specific five (5) year periods.
• Training in and the ability to implement Safe Crisis Management, Suicide Prevention / Intervention and First Aid/CPR is required.
• Attend regularly scheduled Leadership Roundtable and other supervisory / staff meetings.
• Participate in local and state training that is pertinent to their job assignment and participate in Bureau of Special Education Initiative and CSIU sponsored activities.
• Attend relevant conferences, trainings, and in-services to maintain and enhance professional development as recommended by the immediate supervisor or required of the position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Sedentary: Able to sit for extended periods of time, occasional walking, standing (as necessary) and able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Dexterity: Finger movements (computer keyboard, calculator), eye-hand coordination (office equipment, etc.).
• Audio-Visual Requirements: Within normal range with or without correction.
• Is able to move throughout all buildings, floors and grounds.
• Worksite Environment: Primarily indoors-office setting with occasional exposure to outdoor elements/climate during the day.
• Mental demands: Steady response to unpredictable situations, ability to remain calm and productive during stressful situations. Demonstrates independent judgment, discretion and is able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to travel to various work site locations and meetings as needed.

TIME AND SITE REQUIREMENTS:

1. This is a full time exempt position following a 12-month, 260-day work schedule. Some evening meetings, conferences and workshops may be required. Occasional overnight travel to seminars or training may be required.
2. Attendance at work is a requirement of this position; any and all absences must be pre-approved by the immediate supervisor.

CSIU PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS: 

1. All property, including intellectual property, materials, equipment or actual products and services developed or accrued as part of the job duties and responsibilities listed above, is the property of the CSIU. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the CSIU upon termination of employment from the CSIU.
2. The person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about clients and coworkers, programs and services and any other proprietary information accrued as a result of CSIU employment or as required by state or federal laws and regulations.
3. The person employed in this position must adhere to all requirements identified in the code of professionalism entitled "Ambassadors Are Professionals, Too" and CSIU Administrative Regulation 317-AR-1 CSIU Service Standards.

MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENT: As a supervisory/management staff member, this position is also responsible for representing the CSIU in public networking and partnership activities by maintaining knowledge about and promoting CSIU programs and services and by relating information about potential grant or other funding sources to appropriate CSIU staff members.

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 their supervisor and the Director of Human Resources of any and all reasonable accommodations that may be required.

Salary : $82,500 - $92,500