Director - Special Education

Directs the planning, design, delivery, monitoring and program assessment of special education services for more than 7,800 students with disabilities throughout the school division.

Performs work under federal and state regulations, federal and state guidance, division departmental policies and established objectives.

Interprets policy on own initiative; works collaboratively as decisions / actions impact the entire system; contacts are regularly and frequently made at all organizational levels within and outside the school system to execute and explain programs and policies.

Directs and evaluates the work of highly technical or professional support staff.

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• Guides the development and implementation of long-range and short-range plans for achieving special education goals and objectives in alignment with the school division’s strategic plan and incorporating results driven accountability for students with disabilities.
• Directs special education services for all students with disabilities and ensures students access to the school division’s core curriculum by collaboratively working with the Department of Curriculum Development and Support and the Department of School Leadership.
• Establishes and communicates a division-wide philosophy of least restrictive environment for students.
• Directs and evaluates the effectiveness of existing special education programs and services. Reviews and ensures compliance with existing federal and state legislation and school board guidelines, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Facilitates research regarding trends and best practices to support appropriate recommendations for student success through rigorous, innovative, and technological programming.
• Establishes and monitors the design and development of new and modified programs and delivery of programs, including digital and non-digital resource accessibility.
• Collaborates with central and school administrators regarding the discipline of students to reduce exclusionary consequences.
• Facilitates and / or participates in matters of dispute resolution with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Office for Civil Rights pertaining to students with disabilities;

oversees the management of mediation and due process procedures.

• Provides accurate and timely data to the VDOE’s State Performance Plan for evaluating outcomes for students.
• Directs the implementation of federal and state grant applications and supervises the management of appropriate IDEA grants with the department’s Grants Management Specialist.
• Establishes within the Department of Human Resources and Department of Finance staffing requirements for all special education positions in accordance with state and local standards and student needs.

Assists with applicants as needed.

• Maintains open lines of communication with all interested parties; responds to concerns of parents, teachers, building and central office administrators, and community members in a timely manner.
• Monitors Standards of Learning (SOL) and alternate testing in collaboration with the assessment supervisors.
• Communicates in a collaborative manner to serve and support schools and central staff in the service and support of students with disabilities.
• Advises on the design, requirements, and equipment for special education classrooms and facilities and consults with facility leaders regarding ADA accessibility to school facilities.
• Coordinates the implementation of professional development for school staff related to special education in collaboration with the Office of Professional Learning.
• Serves as staff for the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) to refine and enhance programs and services for students with disabilities in collaboration with the Department of Curriculum Development and Support and the Department of School Leadership.
• Ensures Medicaid reimbursement practices and procedures are thorough and in compliance with federal, state, and local financial and accountability procedures.
• Assesses student learning on an ongoing basis and alters instruction to meet group / individual needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Budgetary Responsibility : Responsible for managing the budget for the Office Department of Special Education including federal and state grants and local funds.

Directs the development and monitoring of the departmental budgets.

Report Preparation : Prepares reports for Virginia Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, school division, school board and the Office of Civil Rights.

Prepares appropriate periodic federal, state and local reports as required.

Equipment Operation : Uses standard office equipment and equipment related to education.

Contacts : Frequent contact with all levels of CCPS personnel including legal counsel. Maintains communication network with other special education directors within Region One and the State.

Work Direction / Supervision : Provides work direction to all special education department personnel. Supervises and evaluates all central office special education personnel.

Decision Making : Very high level of judgment and independent decision-making is required. Ongoing evaluation of operations and issues required to make judgments involving Chiefs, Directors and the Superintendent, particularly special education legal matters.

Formal Policy-Setting Responsibilities : Responsible for submitting recommendations for policy and / or procedures in the implementation of special education services.

Physical Demands : Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to use a telephone, to enter data into a computer terminal;

to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear, understand speech and speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly at normal levels indoors and on the telephone.

Physical agility to lift up to 25 lbs. bend, stoop, sit on the floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead.

Work Environment : The employee regularly works in a school or office setting. The noise level is quiet to moderate.

Comprehensive knowledge of special education statutes, regulations, policies and procedures. Considerable knowledge of child growth and development, total school operation and group dynamics.

Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership and to develop and implement comprehensive special education programs, policies and procedures;

to plan, organize and direct a complex organizational component. Demonstrated ability to listen and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Demonstrated ability to direct and evaluate a diversified professional staff and carry out directives. Demonstrated ability in decision making, problem analysis, conflict resolution, collaboration, interpersonal relationships and long range planning and forecasting.

Knowledge and experience in the supervision of large-scale provision of services for students with disabilities.

Master’s degree in education or related field, doctorate preferred. Must hold a valid postgraduate professional license with endorsements in Exceptional Education and Administration and Supervision.

Three to five years’ experience as a school principal or in a division-wide administrative or supervisory position is required.

Must hold a valid Virginia Driver’s license. This position requires the incumbent to drive.

Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations / tests :

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation
• State Police Criminal History Investigation
• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation
• Tuberculosis Screening / Test

Chesterfield County Public Schools assures Equal Employment Opportunities for employees as required by Federal and State Orders and Laws.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements.

However, the administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position and does not imply an employment contract.

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