What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Education Lead [2025-26 School Year] (internal) position at Urbandale Community School District?
JOB TITLE: Special Education Lead (PK-12)
CLASSIFICATION: Certified
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Director of Special Education
FLSA: Exempt
Purpose of Position The Special Education Lead supports building leadership, instructional staff, and support staff program development and the effective implementation of quality/continual improvement through improved processes for Special Education.
QUALIFICATIONS
(Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, Education, Certification/Licensure, Experience, Equipment)
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Knowledge of effective coaching and interpersonal communication.
- Knowledge of effective Professional Learning Community processes and/or data teams.
- Ability to develop data-based SMART goals and aligned action plans.
- Knowledge and demonstration of instructional best practices.
- Firm understanding of organizational systems thinking and quality/continual improvement.
- Effective group facilitation and knowledge of adult learning theory.
- Knowledge of special education law, current research, and high leverage practices in special education and quality Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Knowledge of ACHIEVE system, special education reporting, and compliance
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding special education.
Education
- Bachelor's degree
Certification/Licensure
- Minimum of three years serving students in special education.
- Valid licensure or Statement of Professional Recognition from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
Desired Qualifications
- Masters degree with an emphasis in special education or related field
- Demonstrated capacity for teacher leadership (i.e. UCILT, curriculum committee, technology steering committee, etc.)
Equipment
- Office equipment such as cell phone, pager, multi-line phone system, fax machines, copiers, and computers.
SUPERVISION OF OTHERS
None
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Provide leadership in program development and improvement.
- Assist in the ongoing program evaluation and improvement of special education.
- Assist with general supervision of IDEA.
- Provide support and guidance to district and building administrators, teachers, and support staff.
- Plan and facilitate professional learning at the building and district level.
- Participate in district-level professional development.
- Participate in and facilitate professional learning.
- Evaluate data/current reality of district initiatives and implementation efforts.
- Evaluate and develop processes for continual improvement for special education
- Provide guidance, feedback, and support for teachers through the special education lens:
- Modeling of effective teaching practices and IEP development
- Modeling of effective scaffolding within grade-level content
- Facilitation of meetings, Professional Learning Communities, and professional learning
- Reflective, coaching conversations
- Classroom observations
- Communicate effectively with district and building administrators, teachers, and support staff.
- Continues to acquire professional knowledge and current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops, or professional meetings.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to organize and think clearly while communicating, organizing and evaluating.
- Knowledge of district organizational structure and function, as well as laws, rules and regulations pertaining thereto.
- Ability to communicate within the structure of the organization as well as the community.
- Ability to clearly articulate goals and expectations to adults and students.
- Repetitious bending, lifting, stooping, kneeling, hand movement and lifting up to 50 lbs.
- Drug, tobacco, and alcohol free while working.
- Must be able to see and hear within normal limits with or without corrective lenses or hearing aids.
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle used to travel between sites.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Majority of work is performed in an office or school setting.
- Occasional exposure to body fluids, fumes, noise, and hazardous materials and emergency situations.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Performance evaluated annually.
