Dean for Special Education, 200 days

Job Description

POSITION: Dean of Special Education

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Building Principal

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

EMPLOYMENT TERM: Minimum 200 days annually, pursuant to WV Code §18-5-45

SALARY: Pursuant to WV Code §18A-4-2, in accordance with Jefferson County Professional Salary Schedule, commensurate with experience and education level with assigned stipend.

EVALUATION: Performance in this position will be evaluated by the building principal and in accordance with WV State Code §18A-2-12, WV State Board Policy 5310, and JCBOE Evaluation Policy

JOB SUMMARY: The Dean of Special Education serves as a school-based special education leader providing direct support to students, families, teachers, and administrators. This role ensures high-quality instructional programming, legal compliance, and effective implementation of district policies related to special education (IDEA, Section 504, ESSA, and WVDE Policy 2419). The Dean works in partnership with the principal and district special education leadership to strengthen schoolwide systems, enhance inclusive practices, monitor compliance, and support improved outcomes for students with disabilities.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee daily operations of the school’s special education programs, including resource, self-contained, inclusion, and related services scheduling.
• Collaborate with the principal to allocate support staff, paraprofessionals, and special educators efficiently.
• Provide guidance to teachers on instructional strategies, behavior supports, MTSS implementation, accommodations, and modifications.
• Ensure alignment with district initiatives and support schoolwide strategic planning for students with disabilities.
• Monitor all special education and Section 504 documentation (IEPs, eligibility reports, re-evaluations, progress reporting) for accuracy and timeliness.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate IEP and 504 meetings, ensuring procedural and legal compliance.
• Maintain building-level audit systems for compliance with IDEA, WV Policy 2419, and district procedures.
• Support implementation of behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and conduct manifestation determination reviews.
• Ensure that accommodations and modifications are being implemented with fidelity across all content areas.
• Provide instructional coaching, technical assistance, and real-time problem-solving support to special educators and general educators.
• Deliver or coordinate professional development related to:
• IEP development
• Specific disability categories
• Behavior supports
• Data collection
• Inclusive practices and co-teaching
• Support onboarding and ongoing mentorship for new teachers and paraprofessionals.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for families regarding special education programming, services, and supports.
• Collaborate with families to address concerns, resolve conflicts, and promote strong school–home partnerships.
• Work with the school counselor, social worker, and mental health providers to coordinate wraparound services.
• Monitor student achievement, progress on IEP goals, and discipline data for students with disabilities.
• Collaborate with district office to analyze trends and set building-level improvement goals.
• Use data to inform interventions, staff coaching, and program adjustments.
• Serve as a school-level liaison for the Special Education Department.
• Participate in district professional learning communities, compliance reviews, and program evaluations.
• Assist in coordinating related services (speech, OT/PT, mental health, BCBA/behavior supports).
• Support the principal with school-level operations, including crisis response, attendance initiatives, student supervision, discipline aligned to BIPs and MD determinations, and implementation of schoolwide systems as appropriate.
• Participate in building leadership teams, safety planning, and data review committees.
• Perform any additional administrative duties assigned by the building principal.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable

individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Hold or is eligible for a valid West Virginia administrative certificate at the appropriate

programmatic level, pursuant to WV Code §18A-3-2; Criminal background check conducted pursuant to WV Code §18-5-15c and/or §18A-3-10, as appropriate; Meet the qualifications

outlined in WV Code §18A-3-2a and §18A-2-9.

• Master’s Degree
• Completion of the WV Evaluation Leadership Institute
• Minimum three years successful teaching experience
• Knowledgeable in school curriculum
• Knowledgeable in County, State, and Federal policies
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others and as a
• member of an educational team
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, especially in high-stakes or emotionally complex situations.
• Ability to coach adults, facilitate meetings, and support conflict resolution.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage deadlines and multiple responsibilities.
• Maintain or upgrade skills by working toward self-improvement, reacting favorably to constructive criticism, and attending in-service training and available workshops                                                                                               

PHYSICAL/Mental Requirements: The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the

essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach,

stand, walk, lift, grasp, write, talk, hear, see, use technology such as computers and multimedia equipment, and use repetitive motions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift and/or move at least 10 pounds of materials.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff members. Ability to support crisis situations, classroom observations, and student needs. Adaptability to changing conditions, including evolving state or federal requirements, instructional priorities, and district initiatives. Capacity to manage work-related stress associated with accountability systems.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Most commonly, the educational setting is indoors with outdoor

settings for recess, supervision of outdoor activities and athletics, and field trip activities. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate (20-60 dB). Exceptions include gymnasiums, outdoor athletic fields, as well as vocational/technical laboratories where noise levels may be moderate to loud (60-90 dB). School environment requiring frequent interaction with students, staff, and families. Occasional evening events, IEP meetings, and district trainings.

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The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed by this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.