Director, Special Education Services (ICH/Hospital/Residential Specialty)

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.

• Three years of full-time, paid, experience as an appointed school professional in the area of special education which has included experience outside of the classroom in a leadership role (e.g. mentor teacher, Administrative Assistant, or Assistant Principal).

Certificates/Licenses

Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative certificate for K-12 or Elementary and Secondary Principal.

AND

Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate to teach special education.

OR

Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Special Education Supervisory certificate.

Knowledge and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the current instructional strategies for students with disabilities and grade standards (particularly in literacy and math).

• Inclusive practices and supplementary aides and services.

• special education regulations Part B and those provisions in Part C pertaining to school age transition.

• current trends and research-based strategies related to special education service delivery.

• strategies to support student learning in a variety of learning environments, from the least restrictive to the most restrictive environment.

Demonstrated ability to:

• provide training to school-based personnel on IDEA rules, regulations, high quality instructional practices and legal proceedings.

• collect, analyze, interpret and utilize data and information from multiple sources at the student and building levels in order to: connect compliance activities and requirements to substantive delivery and monitoring of special education services and student progress; support school teams in the identification of the appropriate type and level of supports for students.

• facilitate improvements in the implementation of the special education instructional program and improve student outcomes.

• provide information relevant to state complaints, resolutions sessions, due process hearings and settlements and the use of highly restrictive settings and supports at the classroom, building and Network levels.

• make recommendations regarding budgeting and resource allocations.

• meet state, federal, and legal data reporting requirements.

• assess compliance and program efficacy and provide recommendations on appropriate actions.

• work with District administrators and supervisors from other support departments to promote, establish and maintain effective special education programs in the least restrictive environment.

• stage, plan and execute multiple step programmatic and/or compliance-oriented process responsive to needs of staff, students in a single or multiple buildings.

• function on a team in a non-lead capacity to accomplish the articulated goal.

• effectively problem-solve and mediate among parties.

• use a personal computer and software applications (e.g. Microsoft Office, Excel).

• work in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and priority shifts.

• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

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.