Assistant Director of Special Education

TCSEA is seeking an Assistant Director of Special Education.  Preference will be given to an administrator with a Speech and Language background but it is not a requirement.

SUMMARY

The Assistant Director assists the Executive Director with administering, supervising, and directing the Tri-County Special Education Association in accordance with the law and the Executive Committee and Association Council’s policies, procedures and directives and to provide leadership according to the Tri-County Special Education Association’s vision/goals.

DUTIES

1. Respond to all requests for information about special education services, about Tri-County Special Education Association, or about programming for students with disabilities. 
2. Assist educators, family members, and community members with understanding special education services and advise them about community services as appropriate. 
3. Keep all personnel advised of most current methods, issues, and legal requirements.
4. Engage in child-specific problem solving or consultation, as appropriate.  
5. Identify, recommend, and implement strategies to encourage effective collaborative problem solving within each Tri-County school.
6. Attend IEP meetings as needed to share technical information or provide the specialized leadership necessary to resolve or minimize controversies.
7. Locate needed resources, materials, personnel, services, or programs.
8. Oversee data collection that allows for accurate completion of required reporting and claims for reimbursement.
9. Write grant proposals as requested by the Executive Director.
10. Coordinate technology requests and equipment.
11. Advise and assist districts that are seeking specialized State Board approvals; temporary approvals for special education teachers, approvals for “Other Necessary Professionals,” deviations for class size or age range, variance requests. Provide for the supervision, evaluation and reporting about programs granted a deviation or variance.
12. Assess programmatic needs on a periodic basis to make recommendations for program development or redesign. Communicate needs clearly to administrators and teachers.
13. Coordinate and lead, as appropriate, efforts to improve the instruction for students with disabilities in Tri-County schools.
14. Maintain familiarity with all programs operated by or used by Tri-County schools to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education for their students. When necessary, Assistant Directors facilitate students’ placement into these programs.
15. Ensure that Tri-County forms and procedures are legally correct, clear, appropriate, understood and used consistently across member districts.
16. Oversee the expenditure of IDEA dollars set aside for professional development.

1. Conduct an annual needs assessment of special education in-service needs among Tri-County educators and parents. Report the results to local district coordinators and in the professional development plan.
2. Coordinate the use of professional development dollars derived from Tri-County district assessments. 
3. Evaluate and report on the quality of professional development activities, including, whenever possible, information regarding the impact on educational programming.
4. Collaborate, as appropriate, with others to provide in-service opportunities or to coordinate conferences.
5. Assume responsibility for the design and provision of staff development activities for Tri-County personnel.
6. Provide leadership to committees that study and make recommendations on issues affecting services within Tri-County Special Education Association, then prepare subsequent reports or summaries for the Executive Director and others.
7. Understand Tri-County’s goals and assist with designing, informing and implementing activities that help to meet those annual goals.
8. Communicate clearly about TCSEA priorities, procedures and initiatives.
9. Assist with personnel matters at the discretion of the Executive Director (i.e., hiring, evaluation, and supervision).
10. Assist with financial or grant writing matters at the discretion of the Executive Director.
11. Draft proposals for policies, procedures, forms or for other efforts to help the cooperative meet its goals.
12. Represent the local district, upon request, at administrative hearings or meetings.
13. Represent Tri-County, upon request, at community meetings (i.e., Transition Planning Councils).
14. Communicate important programmatic ideas, legal issues and professional development opportunities to the personnel employed by Tri-County Special Education Association and member districts.
15. Manage and maintain the EmbraceIEP system.
16. Oversee the operation of the TCSEA website and BambooHR system.
17. Assist in the writing of, or recommend and draft, grant proposals that are consistent with organizational goals and/or district needs.
18. Evaluate, or assist in the evaluation of, the extent to which special projects accomplish organizational goals or meet identified needs.
19. Complete performance evaluations of Special Education administrators, Psychologists, Social Workers or others assigned by the Executive Director.
20. Actively support the work of the Special Education Administrators facilitating successful implementation of services. 
21. Organize regular meetings of Special Education Administrators to provide for collegial support and collaborative problem solving.
22. Review and follow the Policies and Procedures of Tri-County Special Education Association.
23. Report incidents of suspected fraud or concerns about grossly inappropriate behavior to the Executive Director.
24. Perform other duties as directed by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Minimum of a M.S. in school administration with a valid Professional Educator License (PEL) with an Administrative Endorsement and a Director of Special Education Endorsement. 
2. At least two years experience as an administrator or supervisor in public schools, the State Board of Education, education service regions, or in certain approved non-public schools. 
3. At least four years previous experience in an educational setting, preferably in a teaching or special education role. 
4. Must have valid driver’s license and access to a reliable, insured vehicle to drive between service provision locations in various member districts.
5. Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite of Tools including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.
6. Establish and maintain effective and courteous working relationships with those contacted in the course of work (students, parents and staff).
7. Ability to understand and follow basic oral and written instructions.
8. Ability to communicate to students, parents and staff in an acceptable/courteous manner.
9. Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.
10. Requires employees to have the ability to push/pull up to 15 lbs.