Job Title: Department Chair, Special Education (Teacher)

Department: School-Based

Pay Grade: Teacher Salary Scale

Work Calendar: Licensed 11 Month (220 Day) Staff

FLSA Status: Exempt

GENERAL PURPOSE

Reporting to building administrators and collaborating across schools through the Department of Special Education, the Department Chair of Special Education provides direct oversight to all special education, Section 504, and Student Education Committee (SEC) responsibilities for their school. The Chair will work collaboratively with both general education and special education personnel to implement appropriate programming for students with and without disabilities to ensure all learners receive the support they need to excel. Successful candidates will bring deep knowledge of special education practices and requirements, along with excellent organizational and communication skills.

MAIN JOB TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain and manage special education and student support services for the school

• Consult with administrators, teachers, parents, and other appropriate individuals regarding the special education needs of students
• Maintain and manage all special education, Section 504, and SEC processes for the entire building, including maintenance of meeting schedules and documentation files for individual students
• Collaborate with the Departments of Special Education and Student Services for special scenarios and circumstances to ensure appropriate services
• Serve as the administrative designee in Individual Education Plan (IEP), Section 504, SEC, and eligibility meetings
• Participate in Response-to-Intervention (RTI) team, Eligibility Committee, and IEP teams to assist in the development and revision of plans for students
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports and other documentation to comply with all relevant federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies
• Assist in providing professional learning and other resources for school personnel to build understanding of differentiation of instruction, students with disabilities, and other relevant topics

Support and demonstrate core values of SCPS

• Engage in ongoing professional development relevant to position.
• Respond promptly and thoroughly to written and oral requests for information.
• Maintain a clean, neat appearance, appropriate to position.
• Maintain a record of appropriate attendance and punctuality.
• Serve as an optimal role model for students, colleagues, and the general public.
• Work in close harmony with colleagues, supervisors, and co-workers.
• Comply with all District and School policies and regulations, including but not limited to guidelines for confidentiality.
• Perform other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university required; degree in special education or significant coursework regarding services for students with special needs strongly preferred
• Valid Professional License issued by the Virginia Department of Education with an endorsement in special education, or eligibility for same, required
• Three (3) or more years of experience teaching students with special needs required; experience with individually administered educational assessments strongly preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge
  • Relevant laws and regulations for special education and Section 504
  • Research and practices in student diversity in development and learning
  • SCPS curriculum and instruction programs
  • Appropriate academic and behavioral intervention for students with and without disabilities at the grade levels of the assigned school
• Skills
  • Student performance data analysis
  • Administration and interpretation of individual educational assessments
• Abilities
  • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with diverse audiences
  • Present information to administrators, staff, and families
  • Demonstrate problem-solving skills and data-driven decision making
  • Work cooperatively in a team environment to meet goals
  • Organize and perform work independently
  • Work on multiple projects while meeting all deadlines
  • Show sustained effort and enthusiasm in quality and quantity of work

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work environment is primarily inside, with moderate noise and controlled temperatures, with infrequent to no exposure to chemicals, or other negative air quality elements
• The work is light work, requiring exertion of up to 20 pounds of force to move or lift objects.
• The following physical and mental abilities are representative of those expected to complete the essential functions of the job: standing for prolonged periods; sitting for prolonged periods; moving the hands, wrists, or fingers repetitively; moving with force on the back or lower body repetitively; feeling, grasping, or holding objects by hand; identifying colors visually; identifying objects in low light or distant conditions; communicating via spoken language; communicating via written language; perceiving sounds; making decisions using logic and rational thinking.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations shall be made, as required by law, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties, just as though they were actually written out in this job description.