Director of Special Education

Summary: Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the position is responsible for the leadership, administration, and supervision of the Global Psychological Services Special Education Unit. The ultimate goal of the Director of Special Education shall be to develop, achieve, and maintain the best possible educational programs and services for special education students. The Director of Special Education shall plan, organize, and direct the overall functioning and management of the Special Education Unit, and collaborate and provide support to executive and administrative staff in meeting identified organizational goals of the company.

• Coordinate Special Education Programs and Services per the Special Education Unit policy, goals, and objectives. Develops long and short-range special education plans. Assists in planning and implementing programs that support alignment of learning standards with effective special education teaching practices.
• Monitor Special Education Case Load Rosters for compliance.
• Assist building-level administrators and staff with the implementation of District policies, procedures, and programs.
• Supervise and annually evaluate Special Education Coordinators and staff.
• Maintain comprehensive awareness of special education staff assignments, to increase capacity and efficiency as a priority.
• Monitor roles and responsibilities of special education staff for a more inclusive team-building effort with planning and implementation of programs and services.
• Improve management and oversight of the diagnostic, intervention, and referral process for special education eligibility.
• Interview prospective administrative and professional candidates and review personnel applications.
• Author and prepare technical documents regarding the operation of the Special Education Unit.
• Oversee the enhancement of program information on the company's site and marketing materials to better inform staff and customers regarding the Special Education Unit programs and services.
• Convene regular information meetings that will involve all staff to ensure across-the-board communication and collaboration.
• Guide the development and implementation of long-range and short-range plans for achieving program goals and objectives in alignment with the Special Education Unit strategic plan.
• Conduct ongoing needs assessments, collect and analyze data, use pertinent data to refine and improve the Special Education Unit operational functions and services; and evaluate special education program initiatives.
• Facilitate research regarding trends and best practices to support appropriate recommendations for student success through rigorous, innovative, and technological programming.
• Plan and implement professional development for Special Education Unit staff; involve staff in continuous improvement through self-evaluation and goal setting.

EVALUATION SKILLS:

• Establish a system for evaluating programs and content to measure satisfaction and effectiveness.
• Establish performance standards for all personnel to ensure that service objectives are attained.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals and program requirements.
• Ensure performance targets are met.
• Develop and maintain records needed for program administration
• Perform other duties as assigned.

FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS:

• Maintain a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in laws and case law, and educational methods of educating students with disabilities, to manage an excellent special education program.
• Knowledge of special education curriculum and programming, State and Federal education law and regulation.
• Extensive experience in and sophisticated knowledge of curriculum, best practices in instruction and assessment, school operations and management, leadership development, and a demonstrated record of success in leading strategic educational initiatives that result in measurable improved student achievement.
• Exceptional project management skills. Ability to self-direct, prioritize, and multi-task among competing goals, while exhibiting flexibility in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Excellent strategic communication skills, including written and verbal communication, public speaking skills, and keen attention to detail and nuance
• Ability to plan and think strategically, coupled with excellent execution skills and flexibility to work within complex or ambiguous contexts; inclination to initiate process improvements and continuous learning within the organization (ability to create strategic plans, etc.)
• Skilled at analyzing, interpreting, and using data to collaborate, identify best practices and areas for improvement, and drive results
• Strong management and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, guide, and develop a high-performing team knowledge of the public education reform landscape strongly desired

EMOTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Adaptability: Deals with unexpected challenges or circumstances.
• Ambition & Drive: Exhibits an attitude of expecting to win and will strive to be the best they can be.
• Brand Steward: Steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.
• Collaboration: Values a work environment that through the collaboration of people achieves business outcomes.
• Communications: Delivers and receives information in a concise and clear manner
• Customer Service Orientation: Conveying sensitivity to others and sharing appropriate information to cooperatively resolve their concerns (inside and outside the organization)
• Develops People: Have a drive to understand and develop the capabilities of others.
• Innovative Thinking: Passionately champions change and innovation to grow and improve.
• Leadership Effectiveness: Achieves with distinction, persevering despite resistance and influencing others.
• Maintaining Self-Awareness and Impact: Maintains objectivity about own self; learns from experiences to manage the positive impact on others.
• Positive Outlook: Displays optimism toward the future and a ‘can do’ attitude when managing various stages of the sales process.
• Self-Awareness: Displays self-knowledge of strengths and needs to identify resources where there are gaps.

EDUCATION:

• Possess current Michigan teaching certificate (or equivalent) with a special education endorsement in autism, cognitive impairment, emotional impairment, learning disabilities, physical education for students with disabilities, physical or other health impairment, speech and language impairment, and/or visual impairment.
• Have a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Special Education administration with a Special Education Supervisor and Director Approval and Administrator Certificate.

STAFF SUPERVISED

• Staff: Special Education Staff