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Deputy, Specialized Services
Title: Deputy, Specialized Services
Department: Specialized Services
Reports To: Chief, Special Education and Diverse Learners
The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 198,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?
Job Summary
Develops, supports and monitors the delivery of Special Education services from the age of birth to 21 for the School District of Philadelphia. Provides visionary leadership and guidance in the ongoing development and administration of strategic planning activities which facilitates the overall educational goals of the District.
Essential Functions
• Plans, coordinates, directs, and evaluates the overall operation of Special Education services.
• Maintains compliance of state and federal performance indicators.
• Oversees and manages divisional fiscal resources.
• Defines, delegates, and evaluates the services of all special education staff.
• Prepares and administers the annual department budget and exercises proper financial controls.
• Establishes and maintains a system for monitoring the effectiveness of program implementation.
• Directs the development and revision of programs, policies and procedures to comply with federal, state, and local legislation and District policy.
• Responsible for the maintenance and security of department records and reports.
• Advises the Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools, and Chief Academic Support Officer on matters related to specialized services.
• Prepares reports for federal, state and local regulatory agencies.
• Develops proposals to resolve key operational challenges.
• Ensures that all programs are in compliance with governing federal, state and local regulations.
• Assists in recruitment, selection, placement and evaluation of staff.
• Provides professional development for staff based on established program goals and objectives.
• Works with the Talent Office to establish personnel needs as they relate to program development, specific building needs, and provision of equal opportunity across the District.
• Ensures a smooth transition for students with special needs between elementary, middle and high school.
• Coordinates Extended School Year (ESY) services.
• Manages/appropriates the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant in alignment with District goals.
• Oversees a team of Special Education Directors.
• Manages out-of-District placement.
• Responds appropriately to the Pennsylvania Department of Education communication/regulations.
• Responds effectively to matters related to Special Education litigation.
• Serves as the special education representative to the Board of Education, Office of the Superintendent, and Chief Academic Support Officer.
• Communicates and works with principals and directors to establish consistency in program goals.
• Performs duties as assigned by the Chief Academic Support Officer.
Minimum Requirements
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Ten years of full-time, paid, professional certificated experience in the field of special education and/or student support services, five of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity and have included responsibility for the development and implementation of program policies and procedures.
Certificates/Licenses
Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility
OR
Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative certificate for Principal K-12 and a Special Education Supervisory certificate.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of:
o common core content standards.
o the principles, practices and theories of special education and student support services.
o role and significance of guidance, counseling, psychological and social services.
o federal, state and local laws and regulations governing special education and student support services.
o the principles and practices of educational administration.
o the psychological and sociological foundations of the educational process.
o budgeting, strategic planning, and grant management.
o supervisory methods and techniques.
Ability to:
o evaluate and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of operations/quality of instruction.
o interpret federal, state and local laws and regulations related to the provision of special education and student services.
o evaluate and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of operations.
o communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
o establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Nondiscrimination
The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.