Director Of Special Education And Wellness
The Director of Special Education and Wellness will evaluate the needs of special education students within the network and support the instructional programs in meeting the students education goals by providing coordination and management of all special education programs and services in the network. They will recommend the development and / or expansion of services and programs, recommend policies, planning, implementing and working with staff; serving as a resource of information to ensure that procedures are appropriate in relation to policies required by state and federal regulatory requirements to ensure the academic and socio-emotional success of our students.
Essential Duties
- Establish and communicate a philosophy of least restrictive environment for serving special education students
- Guide the development and implementation of long-range and short-range plans for achieving special education goals and objectives in alignment with the network strategic plan
- Develop, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, guidelines to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal special education statues
- Monitor the development and implementation of all aspects of the special education program process
- Coordinate and facilitate meetings amongst special education and other related staff
- Collaborate with Student Success staff to support an integrated special education program
- Oversee the Extended School Year (ESY) Program
- Collaborate with site administrators and Director of Student Services around student discipline of students with disabilities
- Interfaces with local agencies, facilities, or institutions including the El Dorado SELPA; school districts; county offices of education; or private vendors to procure services for students with exceptional needs.
- Develops and monitors contracts for outside services
- Participate in the recruitment and retention of Special Education staff in collaboration with Human Resources
- Supervise and evaluate all daily activities of assigned staff members
- Monitors and supports sites in meeting the needs of special education students
- Plan, implement and facilitate professional development for school staff both certificated and classified employees assigned the responsibility of delivering and overseeing the special education services
- Provide coaching to staff as assigned
- Facilitate and / or participate in all matters of dispute resolution with the California Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights pertaining to students with disabilities; manage mediation and due process procedures.
- Develop, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, guidelines to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal Section 504 requirements
- Provide accurate and timely data to the California Department of Education's State Performance Plan for evaluating outcomes for students with disabilities
- Develop, monitor, supervise and manage all aspects of the annual budgets for special education
- Develops or oversees and submits all required state, federal and SELPA reports
- Ensures special education data is kept up to date in student information systems
- Maintain accurate database and files of former and current students served in special education
- Manage and maintain inventory of all special education materials and supplies
- Monitor assessment plans in conjunction with caregivers and staff
- Interprets assessment results to ensure the proper placement and IEP development
- Provides required training, legal compliance, and support to educational specialists as needed in the IEP process and forms
- Oversee Education Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) for students with IEPs
- Oversee all Non-Public Schools (NPS) placements and related services
- Participates in IEPs as necessary
- Participates in site and network meetings and committee as assigned
- Provides program updates as assigned
Wellness Program
Create opportunities for collaboration between Network and site Special Education and Wellness TeamsOversee the coordination of mental health services (ERMHS) to students with IEPsMobilize & coordinate family, school, and community resources to support student learning and wellnessWork with Wellness Counselors to collaboratively set and monitor progress toward goalsOversee the coordination, development, and provision of a range of therapeutic mental health services and programs responsive to students' education-related needs and goalsManage and oversee the clinical in providing clinical supervision to LPS mental health services providersIn collaboration with the clinical supervisor, organize and co-facilitate network-wide professional development for mental health providers 5-6 times / yearOversee the implementation of weekly site team meeting(s) and professional development opportunities for Wellness TeamOversee the document services and monitor student growth and progress utilizing provided data tools and practicesMonitor and collaborates with school leaders and teams to continually improve support for studentsMaintain external relationships to bring services to the studentsOther Duties
Perform related duties as assignedMinimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
Any combination equivalent to :a bachelor's degree from an accredited universityMinimum of 5 years direct development of IEPs and implementation5 years administrative / supervisory experience involving special education and instructional programming,Work experience in a school district or charter management organization requiredLicensing and Other Requirements
Valid California Education Specialist credential with English Learner authorizationValid California Administrative Services credentialEmployment eligibility that may include fingerprints, tuberculosis and / or other employment clearanceValid California Drivers' LicenseKnowledge of :
Principles and practices of organization, management, budget preparation, expenditure control, personnel administration, supervision and trainingSpecial education law and regulationsCurrent special education issues, trends, best practices, and researchBehavior managementSpecial education instructional programs, methods, and practices that accelerate student learning and achievementLeadership development practices and effective supervision and performance evaluationCalifornia standards, curriculum frameworks and current research-based practices and trends as they relate to work scopeCulturally-responsive pedagogyAdult learning principles and change management theoryEffective professional development practices, including data-based inquirySkills and Ability to :
Support, monitor and evaluate special education instructional program effectivenessMaintain accurate recordsUse, and analyze data to develop action plansImplement collaborative and team building processesPlan, implement, and monitor high-leverage professional developmentFacilitate dissent and conduct difficult and constructive conversations effectivelyProvide timely and actionable feedback, including officially evaluating staff performanceProvoke, inspire and motivate people to make progress toward goalsCommunicate effectively both orally and in writingWork effectively across diverse communitiesManage various projects and / or demands demonstrating flexibility and effective time-management skillsEstablish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with othersDetermine appropriate action within clearly defined guidelinesWork independently with little directionMaintain records and prepare reportsPlan and organize work meet schedules and timelinesProvoke, inspire and motivate others to achieve goalsWork effectively across diverse communitiesManage various projects and / or demands demonstrating flexibility and effective time-management skillsWorking Conditions : Environment
Instructional environment which includes indoor and outdoor activitiesOffice environmentItinerantDriving a vehicle to conduct workWork variable hoursPhysical Demands
Mental acuityDexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboardHearing and speaking to communicateSeeing to observe and read materialsSitting or standing for extended periods of timePulling, pushing, lifting and / or carrying instructional materials and equipment