Director-Special Education Services

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The position shall be responsible for the planning, development, and supervision of the instructional program and support services for a regional separate public day school program for students with Autism, Emotional Disabilities and Intellectual Disabilities at the Woodside Lane, Kiln Creek and York County Middle School campuses.

The Director will administer and supervise the special education programs of New Horizons and the related services of speech and occupational therapy. The Director will serve as a member of the regional center's executive committee providing policy advice to the Executive Director.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (May not include all duties performed.)

Supervise and monitor the work of program coordinators, teachers, support staff assigned to the campus programs (Woodside Lane - Bldg. B, Yorktown MS, Kiln Creek ES).

Interview, select and provide orientation/training of new staff.

Responsible for state and federal data submission such as Discipline, Crime and Violence, Civil Rights Data Collection, and Student Record Collection.

Responsible for annual contract negotiation and administrative control of web-based data bases and instructional services.

Supervise the special education program budgets.

Approve monthly tuition billing and staff payroll (as needed) for the special education programs. Process all orders, materials requests, and reimbursements.

Develop positive school division and community relations.

Responsible for oversight, editing, and updating social media related to the Special Education programs.

Support and encourage shared decision-making, teamwork and collaboration of assigned staff and among the entire staff of all special education programs.

Maintain regular and continuous communication with the Special Education Administration and staff of all participating divisions.

Collaborate with division Special Education Directors on regional professional development, sharing evidence-based practices, and providing consultation.

Attend IEP and eligibility meetings as needed.

Develop program handbook of protocols and procedures and teacher responsibilities following federal and state regulations and special education best practices and post the most recent revisions on the NHREC Webpage.

Attend and participate in Region II Special Education Directors' meetings and New Horizons board meetings.

Participate in team meetings/staffing and Functional Behavior Assessment meetings as needed for supervision, training and additional assistance.

Lead staff meetings as necessary.

Mediate staff issues, conduct counseling related to staff performance issues, develop and monitor performance improvement plans.

Responsible for gathering data for all formal staff complaints such as Harassment and EEOC, in collaboration with the Executive Director and Legal Counsel.

Responsible for mediating parent concerns as needed, and all formal complaints such as State Complaints, Child Protective Services complaints, and Office of Civil Rights complaints in collaboration with Executive Director and Legal Counsel.

Collaborate with support team members and make decisions during major crisis situations.

Collaborate with Coordinators and Related Services Staff to ensure that staff has everything needed to provide quality, evidence-based programming for student success.

Review student referral packets as necessary to assist Program Coordinators with acceptance and placement of students.

Continuously develop knowledge and skills through New Horizons Regional Education Center staff development programs, participation in organizations, and/or coursework.

Maintain confidentiality of student information.

Follow New Horizons program policies as written in the program handbook and regional program handbook.

Collaborate with the building principals and assistant principals at Kiln Creek Elementary, Yorktown Middle School, and NHREC Woodside Lane on matters governing the operation of the school facility.

Serve as a member of the regional center's Executive Committee providing policy advice to the Executive Director and Instructional Leadership Team.

Assume additional responsibilities to meet program needs as determined by the Executive Director.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of current educational research and best practices in the areas of curriculum, instruction, instructional technology, behavioral supports, and contemporary human resource management.

Must possess leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for developing effective working relationships with students, teachers, parents, school division personnel, and other community individuals and groups involved in special education.

Ability to administer and supervise the special education programs for students with autism and with emotional disabilities to include students with multiple categorical identifications, and all related services.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Master's degree in special education, administration and/or supervision. Specific training, knowledge or experience with students having emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and autism is required.

At least five years of successful experience as a teacher and five years as a Special Education administrator, supervisor or lead teacher, some of which must have been at the secondary, middle or elementary school level working with children with emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and autism. Certification in Crisis Response Techniques.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

Most hold a valid Virginia Department of Education license with endorsements in Administration and Supervision PreK-12 and Special Education General or Adapted Curriculum.
Associated topics: aide, behavior health, deaf, difficult, disorder, exacerbate, handicapped, resource room, special education, special need education