Special Ed Department Head

Westwood Public Schools seek a Special Education department head who will develop for the department a shared vision of achievement for all students and employ strategies for achieving this vision. In addition to demonstrating the qualities of an effective leader, the successful candidate will demonstrate:

* Skill in planning and preparation

* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

* Experience with staff support/evaluation

MADESE license as an Administrator of Special Education required

NATURE AND SCOPE

The Department Head for Special Education is a key leadership position of the administrative team of the < The Department Head for Special Education oversees all school wide special education, assessment and tutoring programs. In this capacity, he or she conducts strategic assessments of student/family needs on an ongoing basis; develops, implements and evaluates programs and services to meet those needs; supervises, develops, and evaluates staff; develops and monitors budgets; develops and maintains schoolwide policies and procedures to comply with state and federal regulations; and fosters a positive climate for the inclusion of all students.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides effective leadership and vision for <
• Works in collaboration with other school and district administrators as a member of the district's leadership team.
• Coordinates the strategic assessment of school wide special education needs on an ongoing basis and coordinates the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services to meet those needs.
• Develops and implements an organizational structure, guidelines and procedures for meeting all local, state and federal regulations and reporting requirements.
• Supervises and evaluates key special education personnel, and participates with building principals in the generation of performance evaluations of building ­level personnel.
• Plans and implements professional development for student services personnel.
• In cooperation with the Director of Student Services and the Principal, develops and administers the student support services budget, including all special education grants.
• Monitors and consults with student support teams.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the Director of Student Services.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree in relevant educational area, licensed in Massachusetts by the DESE as an Administrator of Special Education. Administrative level SEI endorsement.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, & SKILL

• Thorough knowledge of current state and federal regulations and legal issues regarding students with disabilities
• Clear understanding and knowledge of disabilities and current practices/models for educational and clinical intervention
• Ability to articulate a clear vision and plan for the effective implementation of that vision
• Ability to communicate effectively, honestly and transparently with all constituencies, including staff, parents, and community members
• Ability to create ownership through delegation and participation at all levels
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong ability to prioritize tasks and to forge and support effective teams
• Ability to skillfully and thoughtfully approach solutions to difficult problems

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Committed to inclusive educational practices
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of students and their families
• Works collaboratively with others and forms effective working relationships with parents and colleagues
• Plans strategically and uses technology adaptively to respond to issues as they arise
• Exhibits equilibrium when dealing with urgent or emotional situations

JOB ENVIRONMENT

Work takes place in a fast-­paced office environment within a large school building, primarily indoors. May be required to juggle tasks and will face interruptions as a matter of course. Training in crisis prevention and intervention is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires sufficient vision to read printed documents and to view detail on a computer screen for extended periods.
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and in the classroom.
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and in the classroom.
• Requires sitting, standing, walking, carrying and lifting up to 30 lbs
• Some travel, particularly within district, required

Salary : $59,047 - $134,970