Duties
The Special Education Director is responsible for planning, administering, and directing the member district's special education programs. This includes formulating and interpreting Special Education policies and procedures; ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations; administering and monitoring the SPED budget; supervising personnel; reviewing student and teacher data that relates to the SPED program.
Special Knowledge/Skills
- Thorough knowledge of curriculum and instruction and current educational trends
- Thorough knowledge of SPED state and federal regulations
- Thorough knowledge of writing and implementing IEPs
- Thorough knowledge of best practices in SPED
- Strong technology skills
- Understanding of adult learning theory
- Development and/or coordination of professional development
- Thorough understanding of program evaluation
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- The ability and willingness to engage in di?cult conversations
- Ability to supervise people
- Ability to plan and present information to a variety of audiences
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Instruction
- Consistently analyze data related to teaching and learning
- Work collaboratively with team members to implement curriculum, instruction, and assessments
- Use research and data to continually evaluate instructional programs
- Provide professional development based on research and data to SPED sta? and Member Districts
- Facilitates the timely completion of ISBE forms regarding special education personnel, child count and summer school and private facility placements.
- Develops and monitors federal and state grant applications consistent with needs assessment and budgetary considerations.
- Prepares and administers an annual budget in accordance with Governing Board direction and ISBE guidelines.
- Prepares and presents at meetings of the Executive Board and Governing Board.
- Executes policies, procedures and contracts established by the Governing Board.
- Recruits, interviews, selects and recommends the employment of teachers and other personnel.
- Use research and data to make recommendations for the purchase of new instructional materials and technology
Continuous Improvement
- Remain abreast of current trends in SPED teaching, learning, and assessment by attending conferences and workshops based on school/district priorities
- Conduct and/or participate in workshops, committees, and conferences designed to promote the intellectual, social, and physical welfare of students
- Coordinates with universities, local districts and ESC in the participation of projects, research, student-teacher placements and strategic planning.
- Monitor SPED school/student improvement
Communication
- Communicate clearly orally and in writing
- Promote the mission and vision of the special education cooperative
- Maintain a close working relationship with District-level administrators to ensure information exchange, coordination of e?orts, and general support for the decision-making process
- Use a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate ?ow of information, collaborative e?orts, and feedback
District Level Planning
- Participate in the development of program goals and instructional objectives for the cooperative programs and district-level programs
- Prepare and present materials for board meetings
Additional Notes
Disclaimer: This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, e?orts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate re?ection of the current job, the executive and governing boards reserve the right to revise the job or to require that other or di?erent tasks be performed as assigned.
How to Apply
Apply by email or mail to:
Jera Pieper, Director of Special Education
jpieper@fjsped.org
Franklin and Jefferson Counties Special Education District #801
P.O. Box 1027
Benton, IL 62812
Office: 618-439-7231