Director of Special Populations and Federal Programs

Reports To:                  Superintendent             

Dept/Campus:              Instructional Services (Dallas & San Antonio, TX)                                               

Wage/Hour Status:      Exempt

Date Revised:   May 2021

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:
            To provide leadership to district-wide planning and administration, special education services, special programs, and data-management;
            To direct and manage the district’s special education programs;
            To interpret federal and state guidelines for special populations, and recommend policies and administrative regulations for the district’s special programs;
            To serve as a resource to all campus personnel;
            To support the overall functioning of the district;
            To oversee and provide leadership to district Title programs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:
            Bachelor’s degree
            Master’s degree from an accredited college or university
            Preferred valid Texas mid-management or another appropriate Texas certificate
            Valid Texas certificate with special education endorsement

Special Knowledge/Skills:
            Thorough understanding of program management and budgeting skills
            Ability to communicate with all levels of special needs students, their parents and the community
            Knowledge of the selection, training, and supervision of personnel
            Knowledge of federal and state regulations for special programs
            Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
            Evidence of an understanding of system accountability, research, and development
            Evidence of the ability to acquire, analyze and report a variety of data
            Patient and calm demeanor with students and others

Experience:
            Three years teaching experience
            Preferred two years experience in participatory leadership role

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
            Provide leadership in collaborative processes to develop district wide plans with staff, parents, and community members.
            Ensure that student progress is evaluated on a regular, systematic basis and the findings are used to make all special education programs more effective.
            Provides in-service for staff to keep abreast of changing laws and procedures.
            Encourages and supports the development and implementation of innovative instructional programs to achieve identified needs.
            Serve as district administrator for special education services.
            Serve as a resource person for admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committees as needed.
            Assist the campus staff in the scheduling of instructional activities to maximize learning.
            Promote a positive, caring climate for learning.
            Deal sensitively and fairly with persons from diverse cultural backgrounds.
            Employ effective interpersonal skills.
            Assess and respond to needs related to job responsibilities.
            Provide quality assurance and control for all district reports, plans, surveys, external funding requests, and other areas as determined by the superintendent.
            Facilitate the analysis of all systems district wide for the purpose of continuous improvement.
            Obtain and use evaluative findings, including student achievement data, to examine special program effectiveness.
            Prepare, review, and revise job descriptions for all special programs.
            Develop training options or improvement plans to ensure the best operation in the area of special education and other special programs.
            Evaluate job performance of employees to ensure effectiveness.
            Make sound recommendations relative to personnel placement, transfer, retention, and dismissal.
            Implement the policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and the local board policy.
            Demonstrate responsible fiscal control over assigned program budgets.
            Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents.
            Provide leadership in the formulation and implementation of contracts for eligible students with disabilities receiving services outside the district.
            Facilitate the care and protection of school property.
            Respond appropriately to situations that could impair the teaching/ learning process or could threaten the safety and well-being of students and staff.
            Assist with the development, evaluation, and implementation of appropriate student management policies including the adopted student code of conduct.
            Serve as a resource person in the design and equipping of physical facilities for individuals with disabilities.
            Demonstrate/model support for the district’s student management policies and expected student behavior related to instructional programs.
            Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, and teachers concerning vital issues.
            Serve as resource person in all expulsion hearings involving students with disabilities.
            Develop professional skills appropriate to job assignments.
            Demonstrate behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible.
            Utilize information provided through assessment instruments and the district appraisal process to improve personal performance.
            Seek, accept, and respond positively to evaluative feedback.
            Actively participate in professional organizations; take initiative to provide leadership in addressing challenges facing the profession.
            Communicates district instructional practices, accomplishments, goals and new directions to parents and the community; solicits input on these instructional issues.
            Work to develop a sense of community responsibility for successful school operations.
            Serves as liaison for District with governmental, community and professional groups on matters related to students with disabilities.
            Use appropriate and effective techniques for community and parent involvement.
            Exercises strict professional confidentiality.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
            Share supervisory responsibility with principals for professional staff.  Supervise diagnosticians, speech pathologists, contract consultants, and paraprofessionals.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
            The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made if necessary:

Mental Demands:
            Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and written);
            Interpret policy, procedures, and data;
            Coordinate district functions;
            Maintain emotional control under stress;
            Maintain a clear focus on customer service;
            Ability to manage others in a non-coercive manner

Physical Demands:
            Frequent movement required from one facility to another and from room to room inside facilities.
            Adjusting and positioning of equipment, materials and students will be required;
            Ability to control sudden violent or extreme physical acts of others may be required at times to manage student behavior; normal office environment as well as inside and outside duties;
            Frequent district wide and statewide travel, occasional prolonged and irregular hours.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job, and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills that may be required.

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