Job Description:
Special Education Director manages all special education programs, ensuring compliance with federal/state laws (IDEA, 504), developing policies, overseeing IEP processes, supporting 504 coordinators in the 504 process, managing budgets, providing staff training, and collaborating with parents/agencies to deliver comprehensive services for students with disabilities, focusing on student growth, data-driven decisions, and the district's vision for student success.
Essential Duties:
Administrative and Organizational Management
Support Horizon Honors Schools' Mission, Philosophy, and Goals.
Develop, coordinate, and evaluate the special education instructional programs and supportive services, as required to meet the needs of special education students.
Direct and monitor the Individual Education Plan (IEP)
Collaborate with and support 504 Coordinators in the 504 Process.
Serve as Child Find Coordinator
Establish screening procedures to locate students within the school department who may be eligible for special services.
Provide for psycho-educational evaluation of students.
Coordinate compliance with all Federal and State statutes pertaining to the education of children with disabilities.
Ensure that special education files are handled in compliance with FERPA, the Arizona Special Education Regulations, and the Arizona Auditor General’s Office.
Ensure the District’s procedures, policies, and forms for special services are current and in conformance with applicable laws and regulations.
Recommend policies and programs essential to the needs of exceptional children.
Budgeting, School Finance and State and Federal Reporting
Work with Finance Director and Executive Director to prepare, administer, and monitor an annual operating budget.
Work with Finance Director and Executive Director to coordinate grants.
Assume responsibility for all required State and Federal reports and applications pertaining to special services in coordination with the Finance Office & AzED Specialist.
Assume responsibility for making transportation arrangements for special education students.
Communication
Work with other administrators and staff to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, programs, and services.
Ongoing communication with public and private agencies within and outside of the State of Arizona with regard to programming for students requiring special services.
Keep staff informed of current regulations, trends, and practices.
Keep the Executive Director informed of the Special Education program’s activities and problems.
Respond to written, oral, and electronic requests for information from appropriate sources in a timely manner.
Curriculum and Instruction
Coordinate the selection of curriculum for special education students that is aligned with Horizon Honor’s core curriculum.
Support principals in implementing Special Education programs and services.
Monitor off-campus placements.
Educational Leadership
Provide support and guidance to special education and other teachers who have as their responsibility the education of children with special needs.
Provide leadership in establishing new programs and developing improved understanding of existing programs.
Provide leadership and direct special education services for all students.
Support student discipline with special education students.
Involvement in School and Community
Promote good relations with parents and the general public.
Active participation as a member of the K-12 Leadership Team.
Personnel Management, Professional Development, and Supervision & Evaluation
Participate in the recruitment, selection and recommendation for hiring of special services personnel.
Direct coaching and mentoring of Special Education Staff aligned with Horizon Honors Teacher Evaluation System.
Participate in administrative meetings, school board meetings and other such meetings as required or appropriate.
Orient new Special Education staff members and assist in their development, as appropriate.
Participate in the in-service orientation and training of school staff.
Supervise and evaluate Special Education staff in coordination with the building principals.
Recommend, according to established procedures, the dismissal or non-renewal of a staff member whose performance is unsatisfactory.
Other
Utilize leadership, management, evaluation and supervisory skills to promote high quality education for students and staff.
Demonstrate deep understanding of students with various abilities and disabilities
Possess substantial knowledge of special education rules and regulations and coordinate compliance with all federal and state statutes pertaining to the education of children w/ disabilities.
Provide leadership to the special education staff, setting vision and coordinating departmental resources towards achieving ambitious, measurable performance goals.
Exhibit knowledge of research based educational practices that include the use of technology in special education to support teaching and learning.
Display respectful and clear communication strategies that ensure collaboration and problem solving with a variety of stakeholders.
Make sound data-driven decisions relative to curriculum, instruction, student interventions and school-wide programs.
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)
Minimum Qualifications;
Including Education, Certification, Skills, Knowledge, Abilities & Experience:
Master's Degree or higher with a background in Special Education, Educational Administration, Educational Leadership, or equivalent.
Valid Arizona Teaching Certification in Special Education
Successful special education administrative and teaching experience.
Successful management of local state and/or federal fiscal resources and budget development
Strong problem-solving skills (interpersonal) in working with both students and adults
Knowledge of IDEA, the provision of FAPE, and the continuum of services in special education
Strong written and oral communication skills
Experience (minimum 5 years) working in a school setting
Such alternatives to above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
Compensation:
Depending on experience
Physical Demands:
These physical demands are representative of the requirements
necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of
the role. Reasonable accommodations can be
made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of
this job.
While performing the responsibilities of this job, the employee is required to
talk, hear, and touch. The employee is often required to stoop, sit at a
computer desk, reach with arms and hands, and use their hands and
fingers to stroke keyboards. Occasionally, lifting and pushing for medium
work are required. Vision abilities required.
Work Environment Conditions
While performing the responsibilities of this job, these work environment
characteristics are representative of the environment at Horizon Community
Learning Center. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
The employee is subject to both inside and outside conditions. The noise
level in the environment is quiet to loud.
Year-Round (260 days)
On Campus
Supervises:
Certified Special Education Teachers, Special Education TAs, School Psychologist, Contracted Special Education employees, and others as directed by the Executive Director.
Supervisor:
Executive Director
To apply visit https://www.horizonhonors.org/careers