Director of Special Programs

Purpose Statement 

The job of Director of Special Programs is done for the purpose/s of directing special education and other special programs  and services; providing information and serving as a resource to others; achieving defined objectives by  planning, evaluating, developing, implementing and maintaining services in compliance with established  guidelines; and serving as a member of the leadership team. 

This job reports to Executive Director of PK-6 and Executive Director of 7-14

Essential Functions 

• Assures compliance with state and federal regulations (e.g. Missouri State Compliance Plan, Special  Education Performance Report, IMACs, etc.) for the purpose of administering, supervising, and  evaluating the special education program. 
• Oversees the Parents as Teachers program.
• Assures compliance with state and federal regulation of programing for  ELL and Migrant students.
• Oversees with the Warrior Preschool program in collaboration with the Executive Director of PK-6.
• Collaborates with internal and external personnel (e.g. other administrators, auditors, public agencies,  Board of Education, community members, contracted services, etc.) for the purpose of implementing  and/or maintaining services and programs. 
• Compiles data from a wide variety of sources (e.g. staff, public agencies, etc.) for the purpose of  analyzing issues, ensuring compliance with organization policies and procedures, and/or monitoring  program components. 
• Coordinates program components, support needs, contract services, and materials (e.g. curriculum,  transportation, behavioral, MANDT, etc.) for the purpose of providing services that conform to  established guidelines and meeting the needs of the students. 
• Coordinates required state assessments (e.g. MAP-A, MAP, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring full  compliance with State and Federal laws related to IDEA, Section 504, and ADA. 
• Facilitates meetings, workshops, seminars, etc. (e.g. due process hearings, district liaison, professional  development, special education parent groups, etc.) for the purpose of identifying issues, developing  recommendations, supporting other staff, and serving as a District representative. 
• Manages special education department operations (e.g. Early Childhood Education,  ensures  IDEA mandates, staff professional development, quality services, customer service, etc.) for the purpose  of providing services within established timeframes and in compliance with related requirements. 
• Monitors budget (e.g. allocations, expenditures, fund balances and related financial activities, etc.) for the  purpose of ensuring that allocations are accurate, revenues are recorded, expenses are within budget  limits and/or fiscal practices are followed. 
• Participates in a variety of meetings (e.g. Board of Education, Superintendent Cabinet, IEP, District  Student Success Team, workshops and seminars, CASE, MO-CASE, etc.) for the purpose of conveying  and/or gathering information required to perform functions. 
• Performs personnel functions (e.g. interviewing, evaluating, supervising, recommending, professional  development, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining adequate staffing, enhancing productivity of personnel  and achieving objectives within budget. 
• Prepares a wide variety of often complex materials (e.g. plans, budgets, funding requests, reports,  analyses, recommendations, procedures, program evaluations, etc.) for the purpose of documenting  activities and issues, meeting compliance requirements, providing audit references, making  presentations, and/or providing supporting materials for requested actions. 
• Presents information (e.g. budget overviews, accounting processes, distribution formulas, regulations,  program evaluations, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, gaining feedback and ensuring  adherence to established internal controls. 
• Researches a variety of topics required to manage assignments (e.g. relevant policies, new federal and  state regulations, staffing requirements, financial resources, etc.) for the purpose of developing new  programs/services, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, securing general information  and/or responding to requests. 
• Responds to a wide variety of issues (e.g. staff problems, conflicts in policies and regulations, community  concerns, parental requests, etc.) for the purpose of identifying the relevant issues that may result in  some negative impact and/or liability if not appropriately addressed, and recommending or implementing  a plan of action that will efficiently resolve the issue. 
• Supervises personnel (e.g. Process Coordinator, Parents As Teachers personnel, Early Childhood  Teachers, Instructional Assistants, Special Education Teachers, Warrior Preschool Teachers, contracted services SLP, OT, PT, O&M,  psychologist), visually & hearing Impaired personnel, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the district remains  in full compliance with State and Federal laws related to IDEA, Section 504, and ADA. 

Other Functions 

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective  functioning of the work unit. 

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications 

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities 

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet  changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job  include: operating standard office equipment including using a variety of software applications; planning and  managing projects; and preparing and maintaining accurate records. 

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform advanced math; review and interpret highly technical information, write  technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues  and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the  job include: pertinent laws, codes, policies, and/or regulations; personnel processes; standard business practices;  program planning and development; concepts of grammar and punctuation; instructional procedures and practices;  age appropriate student activities; safety practices and procedures; conflict resolution; and stages of child  development/ behavior. 

ABILITY is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; routinely gather, collate, and/or  classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of  circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized  methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of  widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is  required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent  interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based  competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities;  communicating with diverse groups and individuals; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as  part of a team; and working with detailed information/data. 

Responsibility 

Responsibilities include: working independently under broad organizational guidelines to achieve unit objectives;  managing a department; supervising the use of funds. Utilization of resources from other work units is often required  to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services. 

Work Environment 

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some  lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 70% sitting,  15% walking, and 15% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment. 

Experience:  Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is desired.

Education:  Masters degree in job-related area. 

Equivalency: Masters or Specialist degree in related area with increasing levels of job-related experience may substitute for MA Degree. 

Required Testing Certificates and Licenses 

State Boards 

Driver’s License & Evidence of Insurability 

Certificate in Special Education 

Continuing Educ. / Training Clearances 

Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance 

FLSA Status Approval Date:  Exempt 5/8/2020

Salary Grade  H / Director SpEd 

Administrator Salary Schedule