What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director of Exceptional Children position at Gaston County Schools Career Site?
Definition
The employee provides leadership for and management of Gaston County Schools Exceptional Children’s Program to ensure appropriate evaluation identification and free, appropriate public education for all eligible students. The employee maintains system-wide evaluation, identification, and placement procedures for children with disabilities in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines. The employee establishes and maintains positive working relationships with other departments in the school system.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provides strategic system-wide leadership of Exceptional Children programs and services.
- Serves as a member of senior leadership staff and collaborates with other district staff members to plan, implement, and problem-solve for the benefit of the district.
- Collaborates with and provides direction and/or consultation to senior district administrative staff, other department personnel, school administrators, parents, community providers, and individual contractors.
- Works in conjunction with the State Department of Public Instruction, the Office of 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.
- Provides leadership in the provision of central office Exceptional Children support to schools regarding curriculum, instruction, equipment, tests, materials, textbooks, crisis management, and procedural processes.
- Supervises and supports high-level problem-solving of issues related to the Exceptional Children program.
- Develops, plans, monitors, implements, and assesses department goals and objectives; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
- Monitors the overall effectiveness of programs and ensures all are implemented within federal, state, and local regulations.
- Supervises and conducts personnel administration duties for staff, including hiring and firing, evaluating, assigning special duties, monitoring attendance and travel reports, and granting leave.
- Oversees the provision and coordination of staff training; works with employees to improve effectiveness; implements discipline and termination procedures.
- Develops and administers the Exceptional Children budget.
- Directs funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; and supervises the writing of applications for funding.
- Monitors expenditures and adjusts budgets as needed to ensure appropriate services are delivered to students. Monitors contract agencies.
- Supervises Medicaid billing, Fee for Service, and Administrative Outreach.
- Supervises coordination of transportation services for 504 and EC students.
- Responsible for ADA and Title IX compliance.
- Attends district meetings as required/needed, and attends approved professional training opportunities.
- Coordinates internal and external department communications.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of the NC Department of Public Instruction, and federal rules, regulations, laws, and policies related to exceptional children's programming.
- Knowledge of standard course of study and the extended content standards.
- Knowledge of various program models to serve students with disabilities.
- Knowledge of and ability to implement research-based programs.
- Knowledge of and ability to implement inclusive practices.
- Ability to inspire trust. Possesses high levels of self-confidence and optimism. Models high standards of integrity and ethical behavior.
- Models and supports self-discipline and responsibility.
- Ability to provide leadership and supervise the planning, development, and establishment of new, modified, and/or improved personnel programs, services, and activities.
- Possesses leadership skills required to respond to the challenges presented by an ethnically and culturally diverse community.
- Ability to take the risks necessary to implement the GCS vision and achieve the system’s goals.
- Ability to use collaborative skills to lead diverse groups within the school community to realize the GCS vision and accomplish goals.
- Ability to delegate authority and responsibility as well as hold subordinates accountable.
- Ability to establish and accomplish goals.
- Ability to respond effectively and promptly to issues and communicate resolutions in a timely manner.
- Ability to work confidentially and with discretion.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, orally and in writing, including electronic media.
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
- Operating knowledge of computer programs, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
- Excellent time management skills and ability to organize, prioritize, manage, and carry out duties efficiently and within established timeframes.
- Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders.
Physical Requirements
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
- Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering (as to typing on a keyboard), grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
- Must possess the visual acuity to prepare data, work with records processes, and do extensive research.
Minimum Training and Education
- Master’s degree in Education or a related field, preferred.
- Minimum of five (5) years experience as an administrator or program specialist in programs serving children with disabilities; or an equivalent or training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities,required.
Salary: North Carolina Central Office Salary Schedule
Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Associate Superintendent of Academic Services
Disclaimer
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform this job.
If offered a position, prospective employee must pass a required health exam, criminal records check, and drug test.
Revised by TKales 12/2024
