TEMPLETON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT JOB DESCRIPTION

CLASS TITLE: /Director of Special Education

DEFINITION: Under the direction of the Superintendent, the Director of Special Education plans, organizes, administers, and provides leadership for the District’s psychological services, language/special services and handicapped education services to effectively deal with the differing needs to enable students to benefit from the educational opportunities. The Director of Special Education provides support and consultation to parents and students. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan, coordinate, and administer language/speech and psychological educational services of the District.
• Assist faculties and administrators to create an atmosphere in each school which encourages good mental health through social, emotional and intellectual growth. ? Recommend overall District needs, goals and priorities for programs for special needs students.
• Work with Principals to establish, staff, and maintain classes for special needs students. ? Coordinate evaluation of special education programs on a regular basis with individual school personnel.
• Provide liaison with other schools, districts and county SELPA agencies for special education purposes.
• Keep up with State and Federal mandates, policies and regulations in special education, insure compliance and punctually meet necessary reporting requirements.
• Arrange for necessary transportation for special education children.
• Coordinate with private schools concerning special education programs available. ? Act as a liaison between schools and LEA’s.
• Assist in the development and update of a long-range overall plan for improvement and maintenance of special education, psychological services and language/speech services.
• Serve as a resource to school district personnel.
• Understand the community through direct contact with parents, the Board of Trustees, and community leaders.
• Encourage research within the District to evaluate and improve learning and teaching methodology for special needs students.
• Plan and coordinate with others the in service and orientation programs for special education.
• Conduct regular meetings with special education staff and other interested personnel.
• Support the assessment and IEP development for pupils. Meet, confer and negotiate in informal mediation with parents, school district personnel and other persons to resolve due process issues and to ensure appropriate delivery of services to students.
• Participate in decisions regarding student program placement, goals and objectives.
• Provide support and consultations to parents and pupils as assigned. ? Serve on the Management Team.
• Chair crisis intervention teams.
• Maintain appropriate records and prepares reports as required.
• Oversee Special Education budget.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality procedures.
• Assume other duties as may be assigned by the Superintendent. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• General needs and behavior of children, particularly special needs children.
• Budgeting procedures and techniques.

Ability to:

• Communicate in writing for the purposes of composing the required reports and other correspondence.
• Communicate orally sufficient to express ideas, thoughts, and instructions clearly to clients, community and staff.
• Conduct potentially volatile parent, student and staff conferences.
• Handle stressful situations involving emotional students, staff and parents.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple activities.
• Effectively plan, organize and implement an educational program and support services in special education.
• Collaborate effectively in inter- and intra- agency levels.
• Supervise and evaluate staff, coordinate work, and control assignments.
• Work independently, to make sound decisions, and to evaluate the results of those decisions.
• Follow laws, rules, regulations and policies.
• Read, understand and accurately interpret codes, laws, rules, regulations and other policies and procedures. ? Operate a computer and printer, including software packages such as MS Word.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

 Five (5) years work experience in special education, coordinating special educational services preferred.

Valid CA Administrative Services Credential.

 Valid CA Special Ed Credential.

MA Degree desirable.

Valid CA driver’s license and the ability to drive safely.