POSITION: Executive Director of Exceptional Children

LOCATION: Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability

SALARY: Administrator Salary Scale

(Salary for this position is competitive commensurate with prior experience.)

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 Months

REPORTS TO: Chief Academic Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Executive Director of Exceptional Children is a critical leadership role that directly affects the acceleration of improved student outcomes for students with special needs in JCPS. This role directs, monitors and strengthens programs and ensures all services are implemented within federal, state, and local regulations. The Executive Director of Exceptional Children will coordinate the efforts of federal, state and local agencies, private specialists, parents, and department supervisors to provide the services needed by JCPS students, working to eliminate disparities in achievement and ensure college and career readiness for students with special needs. This role develops and implements JCPS policies and procedures for identifying and meeting the needs of diverse learners, leads comprehensive planning and coordination, and provides system leadership to ensure equitable access to high-quality special education and related services.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Must have a North Carolina Professional Educator's License in one of the license areas for Exceptional Children.
• Must have a North Carolina Professional Educator's license for School Administration-Principal, Curriculum Instructional Specialist, or Exceptional Children's Program Administrator.
• Minimum of 5 years teaching experience. School administration experience preferred.
• Must possess excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state regulations governing programs and services for exceptional children.
• In-depth knowledge of the various disabilities covered under the exceptional children programs.
• Knowledgeable of federal, state, and local agencies that provide services for exceptional children.
• Knowledgeable of JCPS Board of Education policies, procedures, and standards regarding education.
• General knowledge of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
• Ability to provide leadership and oversee professional development regarding special education policies.
• In-depth knowledge of and experience with developing and managing budgets.
• Thorough knowledge of screening, evaluation, and placement requirements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of growth and development of exceptional children.
• Ability to craft appropriate responses to complex and sensitive situations, while maintaining a professional and personal demeanor.
• Ability to lead multiple projects on a timeline and with budgetary constraints.
• Ability to lead and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, school system staff, attorneys, outside advocacy groups, external agencies, and other community members.
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and diagnose root causes.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership presence that gains the confidence of others.
• Ability to demonstrate comfort to push a group's thinking; skillfully navigating political structures, relationships and dynamics to challenge ideas and enable better decisions and outcomes for students.
• Ability to hold self and others accountable for reaching high academic achievement of students.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees and directs all programs for exceptional children.
• Collaborates with and provides direction and/or consultation to Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer, School System Attorney, EC Program Administrators, principals, assistant principals, a variety of central office staff and school-based staff, parents, community providers, and individual contractors, on individual cases and on interpretation of federal, state, and local policies and procedures.
• Directly and/or indirectly supervises a variety of Exceptional Children direct and related services staff, psychologists, individual contractors, community providers, parents, school-based staff on individual cases and on interpretation of federal, state, and local policies and procedures.
• Continuously assesses the distribution of Exceptional Children supports ensuring allocation is equitable and provides the best resources to efficiently and effectively meet the needs of all JCPS students, families, and schools.
• Applies research and best practices to inform the development of theories of pedagogy, intervention programs and improve the delivery of Exceptional Children and related services.
• Provides leadership in establishing new programs for exceptional children.
• Provides leadership and guidance pertaining to exceptional children policies through an effective system of policy development, implementation, and compliance.
• Develops and implements standards, policies and procedures related to exceptional children services, and develops short and long range goals for all exceptional children programs within the system.
• Holds responsibility for maintaining and filing all required reports and records while adhering to all deadlines imposed by local, state and federal guidelines.
• Assesses the effectiveness of the Exceptional Children's department and effectively prioritizes, plans and implements improvements as needed.
• Establishes processes for quality controls, operational efficiency and accuracy in departmental work.
• Prepares the proposed budget for the programs; coordinates with other departments or agencies to ensure maximum services and monitors expenditures of approved budget.
• Responds to calls and correspondence regarding programs and services offered within the established timeframe.
• Collaborates with principals, principal supervisors, and district departments to provide support for a variety of school settings and build school support systems with necessary resources.
• Coordinates with local agencies, parents, and school personnel to resolve problems and secure needed resources and services.
• Prepares and monitors contracts with individuals and agencies for special services not available through the school staff.
• Ensures compliance of all programs with federal, state, and local regulations and deadlines.
• Consults with central and school-based staff on individual cases and on interpretation of federal, state, and local policies and procedures.
• Provides staff with training opportunities, keeping abreast of all trends and changes in the field of special education.
• Participates with Johnston County Public Schools Medicaid Billing Program for eligible Medicaid students, including participation in the Random Moment Time Studies for Medicaid Reimbursable services.
• Collects, monitors, and reports accurate and timely data within JCPS to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and school system departments.
• Stays abreast of current information regarding state and federal laws and regulations concerning the Exceptional Children Program.
• Facilitates the investigation of parent complaints received by NCDPI and collaborates with school personnel to respond and resolve complaints within all established deadlines.
• Facilitates requests for mediated and facilitated IEP meetings.
• Facilitates the monitoring and compliance with timeline regulations associated with dispute resolution options.
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to communicate orally and in writing with parents, staff, and community members.
• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of fingering, grasping, kneeling, sitting, walking, stooping, reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling, talking, seeing, hearing, and repetitive motion.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a valid NC driver's license.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents, teachers, students, administrators, community leaders, agency representatives and others.
• Ability to develop and compile a variety of records and reports.
• Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate a variety of staff, programs and activities.
• Ability to develop and compile a variety of records and reports.

DISCLAIMERS: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.