PURPOSE

Provides leadership and collaboration with schools and departments to foster an environment that is student-focused and results-oriented. Ensures the effective operation of system-wide projects in curriculum support and related instructional support services, program planning for alternative education, and the direction of district-wide student academic and behavioral intervention development. Directs the operation, development, implementation, and coordination of programs and staff to include the teams responsible for Instructional Programming for Special Education, Related Services, Family Engagement, Operations, and Implementation of the Bridges program, budget and finance related to Special Education Services, State and Federal Policy and dispute resolution. Works closely with the Chief Academic Officer and other members of the Superintendent's Leadership Team on policy development, strategic planning, and budgeting in support of the school system’s mission to provide outstanding opportunities for academic achievement for all students.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Extensive in-depth knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices, and procedures of public school system policies and federal, state, and local regulatory requirements;
• Extensive knowledge of pedagogical models and strategies for improving instructional delivery;
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint; Google Apps;
• Skills in effective leadership and management of adults, including coaching, evaluation, and team building among a variety of stakeholders;
• Exceptional public relations/interpersonal skills to respond to parents and advocacy groups and to serve as the school division’s lead representative/contact person for compliance issues pertaining to special needs students;
• Effective management, supervisory, team building, and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make decisions in accordance with school board policies and regulations and established administrative guidelines;
• Ability to work collaboratively with district senior leadership and to provide strong advocacy for student with disabilities;
• Ability to work collaboratively principals to implement and monitor special education programs;
• Ability to work in a supportive, collaborative role with the coordinators/principals of the schools;
• Ability to interface with other departments to coordinate reciprocal services for achieving departmental goals;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff, staff members of external funding agencies, and the community;
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with School Board attorneys;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback;
• Ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences; excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Ability to manage and evaluate curriculum, assessments, and instructional programs and initiatives for continuous improvement;
• Ability to maintain professional and emotional control under stress; reflects appropriate response to situations, while maintaining a professional and personal demeanor;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, school administrators, teachers, support staff, and other community groups.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Special Education or Administration from an accredited college or university;
• Five years of experience as a district leader in special education;
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in school-based and/or central services administrative leadership, including experience with accountability measures, curriculum delivery, and/or the implementation of instructional programs;
• Proven experience leading strategic educational initiatives that result in measurable improved student achievement;
• Commitment to educational excellence and continuous improvement demonstrated through the development and implementation of successful K-12 instructional programs and exercised in the selection, training, and evaluation of staff;
• Experience or training in facilitative leadership and organizational team management.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Hold or be eligible for North Carolina Professional Educator's License for School Administrator- Principal Curriculum Instructional Specialist or Exceptional Child Director;
• Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of North Carolina requirements

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree in education administration, supervision, curriculum development or special education;
• A strong analytic, performance management, accountability, and systems-thinking orientation to inform strategy development and execution;
• Demonstrated achievement as an educational leader with vision and strong instructional insight;
• Experience in the area of counseling, early learning, alternative education programs, and/or student due process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, develops, and implements a comprehensive program for students with disabilities, which assesses needs of students, establishes objectives and priorities, delegates responsibilities to staff, develops strategies to achieve objectives and evaluates programs.
• Provides direction, consultation, and supervision to program employees; consults with centrally based staff and school-based staff on individual cases and on interpretation of federal, state, and local policies and procedures.
• Develops and implements standards, policies and procedures related to exceptional child services; develops short and long-range goals for the division; monitors the progress of various services; makes recommendations for changes.
• Works in conjunction with the State Department of Public Instruction, the Office for 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 with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Responds to calls and correspondence regarding programs and services offered.
• Supervises and conducts personnel administration duties for staff, including hiring and terminations, staff development, evaluating, assigning special duties, monitoring attendance and travel reports, and granting leave.
• Assists in the preparation of budgets for the programs; coordinates with other departments or agencies to ensure maximum services; monitors expenditures of approved budgets.
• Supervises the use of Every Child Accountability and System (ECATS) for the State Department of Public Instruction.
• Monitors Medicaid billing and all changes to the system to meet the specific needs of the school system.
• Consults with the school board attorney on individual cases, when necessary.
• Fosters and facilitates communication and collaboration, trust, and understanding between parents/community and school personnel regarding special education matters.
• Ensures the implementation and monitoring of a comprehensive system for auditing special education records to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Facilitates and/or participates in all matters of dispute resolution with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the Office for Civil Rights pertaining to students with disabilities or engagement in Due Process Petitions.
• Provides accurate and timely data to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for evaluating outcomes for students with disabilities.
• Responds to requests from the Chief Academic Officer and/or the District Superintendent to collect and organize facts and data for the preparation of reports as dictated by federal, state, and local requirements.
• Responds to communication and requests from the district school board as directed to by the chief academic officer and/or the superintendent.
• Monitors changes in legislation and legal guidelines and assist in the development of recommended policy, procedure or updates to division policies and regulations, as needed.
• Coordinates all staff training necessary for the oversight of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Coordinates and/or provides training for department staff to improve their understanding of and compliance with special education laws and regulations.
• Coordinates, monitors, and assesses effectiveness of department strategies related to dispute resolution.
• Organizes deployment of and ensures a comprehensive professional development program for special education, central, and school-based staff.
• Plans, develops, and implements a comprehensive program for students with disabilities, which assesses needs of students, establishes objectives and priorities, delegates responsibilities to staff, develops strategies to achieve objectives and evaluates programs.
• Provides direction, consultation, and supervision to program employees; consults with centrally based staff and school-based staff on individual cases and on interpretation of federal, state, and local policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a professional office environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, staff members of external funding agencies, and the community. Work is considered light physical work, requiring the exertion of up to ten pounds of force. The work requires driving automotive equipment. Must be able to work and manage departmental business from a remote environment, as needed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $125,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Application Question(s):

• Do you have Masters Degree in Special Education?

Education:

• Master's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Special Education district leadership: 5 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person