Director 1 Special Education - Unit

JOB SUMMARY

Provides broad oversight and day-to-day management of the execution and monitoring of special education plans and processes at the unit/campus level. Works closely with Unit Coordinator 2, Coordinator 1 and Manager, to develop systems, monitor monthly ARD compliance reports, professional development plans, federal and state compliance indicators, student staffing ratio recommendations, develop long-range compliance plans, and prepare reports as needed by Executive Directors, Division Superintendents, central office Leadership. Ensures special education personnel, resources, high leverage practices, professional development are available in the short and long term to meet the compliance, behavioral and instructional needs of the students with disabilities at the unit level and that resources are managed appropriately.
 

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

List most important duties first

• Monitor the Special Education program on assigned campuses to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines
• Maintain current knowledge of state and federal law and best practices for support programs.
• Support long and short-range plans in relation to assigned campus responsibilities
• Facilitate meetings that may frequently involve a range of issues for the purpose of evaluating situations, identifying appropriate actions, developing recommendations and/or implementing desired program changes.
• Manage assigned programs and/or services for the purpose of achieving outcomes in relation to program objectives, and ensuring conformance with legal, and unit requirements.
• Provide oversight for the appropriate use of campus special education staff.
• Supervise appropriate delivery of both special education instruction and related services as stipulated in IEP’s.
• Ensure services provided by contractual personnel are of high quality.
• Provide professional development and technical assistance to case managers, teachers, related service providers and support service professionals on all aspects of case management including use of computer systems for the special education process, goal writing, progress reports, annual reviews and parent communication.
• Supervise Child Find efforts on assigned campuses.
• Support in the coordination of evaluation team members and service providers efforts with other Special Education and District departments and programs
• Support in the coordination of contracted evaluations with private providers, as appropriate
• Ensure evaluations and ARD Committee meetings adhere to state and federal timelines
   

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

• Participate in review of campus personnel, as appropriate
• Complete and monitor data reports to provide accurate information regarding all assigned programs.
• Audit campus compliance with compiling, maintaining, and filing all required physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents.
• Monitor accuracy of PEIMS data for all assigned programs.
• Comply with all district and support campus routines and regulations
• Work cooperatively with Campus Administrators to implement and refine Response to Intervention, Student Support Team and the Special Education process.
• Enhance job skills by participating with staff development programs, as assigned
• Collaborate with campus and district administrators for the purpose of implementing and maintaining services in accordance with programmatic and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee IEP implementation and provide support to campus staff as needed.
• Appraisal of staff as assigned.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
   

EDUCATION

Master’s Degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field preferred    
 

WORK EXPERIENCE

ARD facilitation experience required
3-5 Years of experience teaching in the area of special education or dyslexia
Campus/district leadership experience     
 

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Valid Texas Special Education certification
Preferred: Principal Certification
Communication Skills: Employees must have the ability to manage meeting facilitation and communicate with colleagues, students and parents regarding IEP services and support.
Technology: Employee must utilize electronic system for creating IEPs.
Knowledgeable of federal, state, local laws and regulations 
Knowledge of assessment and programming of students with disabilities.
Knowledgeable of learning differences, interventions and behavior requirements of students with disabilities.
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Maintain emotional control under stress
Bilingual Skills: Preferred - Spanish    
 

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic oversight for department and/or a major division or for the entire district. Regularly provides project management, team leadership, and supervises staff. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to department.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.
 

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Advises on budget development for department.    
 

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.
 

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the organization causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.    
 

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions include schools, non-school departments, central office, senior, and executive management.    
 

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Leads others in the resolution of highly sensitive and confidential issues on behalf of the department. Acts as a trusted advisor, and becomes involved in the customer's decision making process including presenting alternatives and information and applying persuasion and negotiation skills in the resolution of problems. Monitors customer service standards.    
 

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements. Ability to carry and/or lift less than 15 pounds.