Director of Special Services

DESCRIPTION: Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, the Director of Special Services is responsible for the administration and supervision of special education and health services in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines. Tasked with shaping a compelling vision aligned with the District's strategic plan, they lead program development and service coordination to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of specialized services, addressing the diverse needs of all students.

Please review complete job description attached to this posting for detailed Duties and Responsibilities.

JOB SUMMARY:
1. Develop and implement a vision aligned to the District’s strategic plan for special education and health services.
2. Identify opportunities for growth and development of specialized programs, including curriculum and instruction, staffing and resource allocation, and facilities.
3. Design and develop specialized programs or services to address the unique needs of the target population within the least restrictive environment.
4. Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure the programs are aligned with legal requirements and best practices.
5. Assume overall responsibility for the administration and supervision of special education, health services, and other categorical programs consistent with state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines.
6. Foster a positive and collaborative work environment to maximize team effectiveness.
7. Provide leadership for special education due process and Section 504 through the development of procedures, resources, and professional learning opportunities.
8. Develop, implement, and monitor systems for budgeting, ensuring efficient allocation and utilization of funds.
9. Oversee the procurement of necessary materials and services for program implementation in alignment with fiscal requirements.
10. Develop and implement a process to determine appropriate staffing levels in response to student data, both annually for the upcoming school year and periodically throughout the school year to make necessary adjustments.
11. Recruit, train, and manage a team of professionals responsible for delivering special services in collaboration with building and district-level administrators.
12. Work closely with other departments, teams, and external partners to ensure seamless coordination and integration of special services.
13. Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, keeping them informed about program updates, needs, and achievements.
14. Ensure that special services comply with relevant laws and regulations and are grounded in evidence-based practices.
15. Implement quality assurance measures to assess and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of programs across the District.
16. Develop and facilitate timely and relevant professional learning activities based on recent state and federal legislation and requirements, as well as high-leverage practices for students with disabilities.
17. Facilitate a comprehensive process to select and implement new curricula resources for students with disabilities, including professional learning opportunities and ongoing coaching and support.
18. Collect, analyze, and report relevant data on the effectiveness of special services. Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions and improvements for special programs.
19. Oversee required data collection and reporting, including all those required by Federal and State laws and rules regarding due process, civil rights protections and program accountability.
20. Supervise the preparation and submission of School District, state, and federal reports related to special education and categorical programs to ensure that reports are consistent with District expectations.
21. Other job related duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Master’s degree plus forty-five (45) credits in school administration or Ed.S., doctorate preferred. Special Education or related field.
2. MN Teaching Licensure in Special Education or ability to obtain licensure and MN Director of Special Education or ability to obtain licensure. Superintendent license preferred.
3. Three (3) to five (5) years of administrative experience in the field of special education. Director of Special Education experience is preferred.
4. Experience with special education, Section 504, and health services.
5. Highly-developed and effective leadership and team management skills, including problem solving and conflict resolution abilities.
6. Excellent interpersonal abilities and communication skills, including writing, speaking, and listening.
7. Ability to work with parents, community groups and diverse local, regional, and state agencies.
8. Understanding of evidence-based instructional practices and curriculum resource needs in special education.
9. Knowledge and understanding of state and federal laws and rules related to programs and services of the department, and ability to translate laws and rules into plans of action.
10. Ability to plan and carry out long-range planning for professional learning and program development.
11. High level of knowledge and understanding of budgeting and revenue sources and ability to recommend and adhere to budgets based on District needs.

SALARY RANGE:
$135,809.79 - $153,582.95

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Apply online

Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.

Equity is one of ISD728's core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first to ensure college and career readiness. A diverse workforce fuels innovation and allows us to better understand, communicate with, and educate our students. ISD728 will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability, or status with regard to public assistance.