What are the responsibilities and job description for the DIRECTOR - SPECIAL SERVICES position at Ector County Independent School District?
Job Title: Director/Compliance Officer of Special Services Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Reports to: Exec. Dir. of Special Services Pay Grade: Admin Pay 8
Dept./School: Administration Days: 227
Primary Purpose: Provide leadership for the Special Services Department activities, provide support to staff, and ensure high quality staffing and retention within the special Services Department. Recommends and implements sound and effective special education programs, policies, and practices, Responsible for assuring compliance with all state, federal and local laws in regards to special Education, 504, and ADA. Assist the Executive Director of Special Services program to ensure provision of needed services for special education students and individualized education plans provided to meet the needs of all students. Responsible for assisting with the strategic planning and implementation of the Special Services programs in relation to the district plan. Responsible for coordinating and investigating TEA Complaints, Resolution and Mediation meetings, and requests for Due Process Hearings. Work alongside the Executive Director on TEA complaints and corrective action plans in the areas of Child Find, Evaluations, implementing the IEP, progress monitoring, and behavior processes.
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree
- Special Education Certification (preferred)
- Mid-management of Principal Certification (preferred)
Special Knowledge/Skills:
- Assist the Executive Director of Special Services and Supervisors with employee counseling and improvement plans when needed
- Ability to use software to develop spreadsheets, databases and word documents
- Ability to supervise personnel
- Knowledge of federal and state Special Education, 504, and ADA laws
- Understanding of the individual needs of students with special needs
- Ability to communicate with all levels of students with special needs and their families
- Ability to implement policy and procedures
- Ability to interpret data
- Effective organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of Results Driven Accountability and Corrective Action Plans
Experience:
- Five years working in Special Education and 504
- Minimum five years of experience in supervisory role
- Experience practicing conflict resolution/mediation
- Other qualifications as deemed appropriate by the superintendent
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
- Assist in the management and maintenance of the special Education and 504 fiscal year budget
- Assist in recruitment and retention strategies for special services personnel
- Assist to oversee the development and delivery of special education curriculum and instructional programs that incorporate district goals and support student achievement
- Oversee selection process for all employees within the department
- Direct and monitor employee performance appraisal
- Monitor the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) and 504 processes districtwide. Participate in comm8ittee meetings as needed to ensure that student placement is appropriate and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) and Individual Accommodation Plans (IAP) for students are consistent with district policies and procedures
- Ensure that supervisors have and provide proper trainings
- Work with supervisors, principals, other administrators and Human Resources to forecast staffing needs and develop staffing plans.
- Research, draft, and submit proposals for grants through state and federal funding
- Ensure compliance with state, federal and local laws and regulations
- Assist supervisory personnel in conducting due-process procedures
- Represent the District in responding to TEA and OCR Compliance Resolutions, Mediation and Due Process Hearings
- Plans, trains, implements and monitors a comprehensive system for auditing special education and 504 records to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
- Assist with troubleshooting and investigating complaints from parents and staff and developing and implementing corrective action plans.
- Work collaboratively with advocates and attorneys
- Communicate new developments in special education and 504 laws to staff
- Consult with the Executive Director of Special Services and the district’s legal counsel
- Provide training to District administrators and other staff regarding compliance issues
- Maintain confidentiality of information
- Ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations and local policy in regard to IDEA, SHARS/MAC billing and reimbursement
- Ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations and local policy regarding 504
- Collaborate with other departments, campuses, vendors, and agencies to insure timely and accurate billing in accordance with current regulations
- Assist in the coordination of staff development activities
- Serve as a liaison between regular education programs and special education programs
- Provide technical assistance to campuses regarding implementation of TEA required special education and 504 programs
- Develop and maintain p9ositive staff morale
- Interact with and provide information to staff and the community regarding special education and 504 programs
- Define job performance expectations of subordinate staff, evaluate job performances, conduct conferences, and develop training options and improvement plans to ensure the best operation
- Monitor, control and track the department’s purchases of contracted services, equipment, technology and other purchases as required for strict federal grant compliance.
- Attend required staff development
- Perform others duties as designed
- Monitor, assist, and verify with the compliance of State Performance Plans
- Assist in supervising and evaluating the performance of all special services department staff.
Working Conditions:
Mental Demands/ Physical Demands/ Environmental Demands
Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress. Prolonged use of computer. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours. Frequent district-wide and occasional state-wide travel. Ability to control sudden violent or extreme physical acts of others and exhibit rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.
