Assistant Director of Special Education and Student Services

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION:The Assistant Director of Special Education and Student Services will effectively develop, expand and implement all areas of the District's student services and special education objectives. These are aligned with the District's strategic plans in order to transform and innovate learning for students that ensures access to quality instruction and equitable services that can meet students' specific learning needs. The Assistant Director of Special Education and Student Services will serve as a strategic thought partner and a collaborative leader with other school administrators across the district in the implementation of all student services and equitable practices in the district. The Assistant Director of Special Education and Student Services will deliver effective and equitable professional expertise, strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and collaborative guidance on pupil services, and special education within the district. This includes professional development initiatives and opportunities for the advancement of students from underrepresented groups or who have been historically underserved. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Advise, inform, and act as a resource to the Director of Special Education and Student Services, other administrators, and staff on matters pertaining to the Special Education and Student Services department. Performs other duties as requested by the Director of Special Education and Student Services. Coordinates district in-service programs for special education and student services. Coordinates programming for students placed out of district for assigned grade levels. Coordinates with designated agency regarding transition planning, determine appropriate assessments to be sent to agency, copy, make CH 688 referral packets. Conducts annual observations at all OOD schools and completes onsite OOD monitoring plans for every school observation. Participates in RPS meetings for potential OOD students (see Memo on OOD Placement). Coordinates with OOD Team Chairs to revise IEP's. Completes referrals; obtains release form from parent, contact schools, copies appropriate records and sends out referral packets to schools. Revises IEP, completes PL1, arranges transportation for all students with the transportation department. Explicitly works collaboratively with principals and assistant principals to support student centered learning for all students particularly students with disabilities in the school. Ensures that the needs of all students with disabilities are met through the creation of individual plans and the enforcement of individual education plans at the school with assistance from the principals and the assistant principals. Provides and creates systems that ensure academic success for students with disabilities student by developing and overseeing the individual education programs of students in the district. Conducts random review of IEP writing for compliance and best practices Oversees and monitors data systems that support student learning through progress reports to inform and adapt instruction to meet the needs of students at the building level. Uses data analysis to inform service and policy decisions. Works collaboratively with the school principals to engage families and community members in meaningful ways that enhance the educational experiences of students. Designs and leads district-wide professional development in collaboration with the school principals and central office staff to build and enhance educator's abilities to enhance student centered learning and equitable services for all students. Supports building administrators with recurring challenging student behaviors, as well as discipline and bullying laws including all documentation including but not limited to manifestation determination meetings. . Acts as the District 504 Coordinator. Serves as a resource to administrators and staff members regarding Section 504/ADA issues and implementation of procedures. Reviews existing programs and services for special education and pupil service departments and work with Principals and Assistant Principals to develop and recommend new programs or changes to programs as required. Works collaboratively with teaching and learning and school based leaders to design and implement the district's high quality instructional materials to support students with disabilities. Coordinates services with community agencies and identifies relevant community resources. Facilitates monthly TF/SLP/PT/SEPAC meetings Leads and coordinates meetings for PT/OT, SLP, TF, School Psych, BCBA Maintains all student records Supports and at times writes PRS corrective action plans, when requested and when appropriate Evaluate special education staff/educators/personnel as assigned. Other relevant duties as assigned. Collaboration, Consultation, and Communication Meets regularly with building assistant principals and team chairs to monitor the efficacy of all special education and student services programs PK-22. Works collaboratively with Principals and Assistant Principals to build a comprehensive, shared understanding of staffing needs across the district and, subsequently, to assign staff to best meet the needs of students, programs, and buildings. Works collaboratively with Principals and Assistant Principals to advertise, recruit, select, and retain highly qualified professionals and support staff for all special education and student services roles. Supports and at times, represents the school department in due process proceedings and related adversarial relationships. Supports and at times, represents the District in mediations, hearings, and conflict resolution. Supports and at times, leads all activities in the Special Education Appeals Process. Co-Represent the RPS Office of Special Education and Pupil Services at various professional development opportunities including local and national conferences. Supports and oversees SEPAC Budget and Financial Operations Monitors and tracks spending for all areas of responsibility to ensure fiscal responsibility on OOD and other possible fiscal requirements for students with disabilities. Coordinates all required data for Medicaid reimbursement. Reports to: Director of Special Education and Student Services Tersm: 12 month Administrator with vacation days