2026-2027 Director-Special Programs

Purpose Statement

The job of Director of Special Programs is done for the purpose/s of directing several programs including gifted education, 504, homebound, Federal Programs, counseling, English Language Development, Children's Services Funds; providing information and serving as a resource to others; and achieving defined objectives by planning, evaluating, developing, implementing and maintaining services in compliance with established guidelines.

Essential Functions

• Collaborates with human resources to perform personnel functions (e.g. recruitment, interviewing, hiring, evaluating, supervising, possible termination, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining adequate staffing, enhancing productivity of personnel and achieving objectives within budget.
• Collaborates with internal and external personnel (e.g. other administrators, public agencies, community members, etc.) for the purpose of implementing and/or maintaining services and programs.
• Compiles data from a wide variety of sources (e.g. staff, public agencies, etc.) for the purpose of analyzing issues, ensuring compliance with organization policies and procedures, and/or monitoring program components.
• Coordinates program components, support needs and material for the purpose of delivering services which conform to established state and district guidelines.
• Facilitates and/or participates in meetings (e.g. 504, federal programs, gifted, outside agencies, other districts, etc.) for the purpose of identifying issues, developing recommendations, supporting other staff, and serving as a District representative.
• Implements assigned programs and/or projects for the purpose of conforming to district and state objectives.
• Interacts and collaborates with parents for the purpose of addressing individual student needs, garnering feedback regarding district programs, and maintaining positive relationships.
• Monitors budget allocations, expenditures, fund balances and related financial activities for the purpose of ensuring that allocations are accurate, revenues are recorded, expenses are within budget limits and/or fiscal practices are followed.
• Prepares a wide variety of often complex materials (e.g. plans, budgets, funding requests, reports, analyses, recommendations, procedures, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities and issues, meeting compliance requirements, providing audit references, making presentations, and/or providing supporting materials for requested actions.
• Presents information (e.g. budget overviews, program overviews, best practices research, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, gaining feedback and ensuring adherence to established internal controls.
• Researches a variety of topics required to manage assignments (e.g. relevant policies, new federal and state statutes, staffing requirements, financial resources, etc.) for the purpose of developing new programs/services, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, securing general information and/or responding to requests.
• Responds to issues involving staff, conflicts in policies and regulations, community concerns, parental requests that may result in some negative impact and/or liability if not appropriately addressed for the purpose of identifying the relevant issues and recommending a plan of action that will efficiently resolve the issue.
• Serves as the District’s Title IX Coordinator for the purpose of overseeing compliance with federal and state laws, Board policies, and regulations related to nondiscrimination; coordinating investigations and responses to complaints; ensuring prompt and equitable resolution of issues; and providing training, guidance, and communication to staff, students, and stakeholders.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: pertinent laws, codes, policies, and/or regulations; personnel processes; standard business practices; program planning and development; concepts of grammar and punctuation; instructional procedures and practices; age appropriate student activities; safety practices and procedures; conflict resolution; and stages of child development/ behavior.

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: facilitation skills; conflict resolution skills; complex problem solving; written and oral communication; operating standard office equipment including using a variety of software applications; planning and managing projects; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

ABILITY is required to schedule a significant number of activities, meetings, and/or events; routinely gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires analysis based on organizational objectives; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups and individuals; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; and working with detailed information/data.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working independently under broad organizational guidelines to achieve unit objectives; managing multiple departments; supervising the use of funds. Utilization of significant resources from other work units is sometimes required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 60% sitting, 20% walking, 20% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Experience: Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is desired in School Building Administration.

Education: Masters degree in job-related area.

Equivalency: Education Specialist degree is required. 

Required Testing: None Specified

Certificates and Licenses: Missouri Teaching Certificate

Continuing Educ. / Training: Maintain Certificate/License

Clearances: Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

FLSA Status: Exempt

Approval Date: 7/1/2020

Revised Date:   4/15/2026

Salary Grade:  See Administrator Salary Schedule

The purpose and utilization of job descriptions in Liberty Public School District #53 are to ensure the essential functions of each position are articulated in order to create a clear understanding of job expectations for the incumbent while also providing a framework through which the recruiting, hiring, and retaining of employees may be enhanced.