TITLE: Director of Student Academic Services (SAS)

DEPARTMENT: Student Academic Services

JOB TYPE: 12-Month Contract, Full-Time

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Instruction

POSITION OBJECTIVE: The major responsibility of this role is to implement and maintain special education services and/or programs for all GCA schools.

QUALIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: The employee is a Christian with an authentic and mature personal relationship with Jesus Christ in their professional and personal life with a calling and commitment to Christian education. Must be able to work independently, multi-task, deal with frequent interruptions, and nurture and maintain a positive relationship with parents, students, and colleagues. A high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality must be maintained when dealing with student and staff information. The ability to prioritize workload and meet specified deadlines is critical. Attention to detail and a preference for working in a time and task-intensive environment are essential.

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A Master’s Degree in Special Education, a valid Indiana Administrator’s License, and a minimum of (5) years of full-time experience teaching in special education.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy
• Demonstrate ability to accept and carry out high-level responsibilities while keeping information confidential
• Highly organized with keen attention to detail
• Exceptional follow-through abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Expert in special education law and compliance

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advises and collaborates with appropriate administrators regarding special education, Section 504, and other special education issues and/or programs
• Communicates information regarding programs, services, and regulations to school personnel, parents, and community members.
• Coordinates with outside agencies to provide student, family, and staff services.
• Establish policies and procedures related to Student Academic Services

• Review admissions files to ensure the SAS Department can adequately meet prospective students' needs
• Facilitates and documents monthly grade-level meetings for the Tier 3 process
• Develops protocols for intervention referral processes

• Develop and implement a results-oriented Tier 3 program design that has synergy with K-4 curriculumWorks collaboratively with the SAS team to refine and enhance multi-tier instruction.
• Serves as the District liaison for coordinating SAS partnerships, including local school districts.
• Advises and collaborates with appropriate school districts regarding special education plans, services, calendars, and funds available.
• Oversees and directs the allocation of Student Academic Services staff to lower, middle, and high school(s)
• Recruits, hires, supervises, and evaluates SAS staff.
• Manages fiscal resources for special education grants, prepares budgets and directs spending, and monitors maintenance of resources
• Develops, monitors, supervises, and manages aspects of the annual budgets for student academic services
• Serves as the District Representative and Public Agency Representative for ISP meetings 
• Writes District procedures for special education as needed or required
• Facilitates and/or participates in complaints, mediation, and due process with the Indiana Department of Education and the Office for Civil Rights about students with disabilities; manages mediation and due process procedures
• Develops and implements school-wide professional development on MTSS and continues to grow to maintain industry best practices
• Performs such other tasks and assumes such other responsibilities as the Superintendent or his or her designee may assign

The above description covers the most significant duties performed but does not restrict the administration’s right to assign or reassign other reasonable duties, responsibilities, or expectations to this job at any time, with or without advance notice. The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position, and additional duties may be assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Indoors 90% of the time; must be able to remain stationary for long periods while working with a PC, and must be able to move supplies and up to 60 pounds. Must be able to assist dogs and children for health and safety reasons.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Exposure to the elements when crossing campus. Change in temperature/humidity; potential for excessive noise, using computer/monitor screen; Average classroom with exterior windows.