Administrative - Sp Ed Director - Miles City, United States - Montana Office of Public Instruction

Description

The Director is responsible for primary leadership and direction for all Cooperative operations and services including fiscal, program development, personnel, grants, and contract development.

Master's degree in School Administration with endorsement in Special Education Supervision; 5 years' experience in teaching and/or administration of Special Education; such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Management Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Directly supervises and evaluates Cooperative specialists such as the school psychologist, speech language pathologists, physical and occupational therapists, sign language interpreters, and other staff and specialists that may be required.

The list of essential functions, duties, and responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary and without notice.

• Staff Recruitment and Development
• To follow EEO guidelines and hire the most qualified applicant.
• To recruit and screen potential Cooperative employees and to make recommendations for hiring and/or termination to the Management Board.
• To evaluate Cooperative staff and present the report to the Management Board.
• To develop and present to the Management Board for approval, staff contracts, and agreements with professional consultants and providers of specialized services.
• To assign professional staff to member schools.
• To conduct a thorough program of orientation for new staff members.
• To authorize employee reimbursements such as travel expenditures, salary and benefit expenditures.
• To promote professional development by providing in-service activities and encouraging staff to attend workshops and professional development.
• Staff Supervision and Evaluation
• To develop and/or update job descriptions for Cooperative staff, as needed, and present them to the Management Board for approval.
• To effectively supervise all Cooperative staff and to monitor their compliance with all policies, administrative rules and procedures, and Cooperative best practice guidelines.
• To demonstrate effective oral and written communication with staff.
• To regularly review, analyze and provide feedback on specialists' planning.
• To visit schools regularly in his/her role as the primary resource person for improvement of special services.
• To evaluate performance of Cooperative staff and submit a report to the Management Board annually, or more often if circumstances require.
• To maintain an "open door" policy and encourage staff input.
• To communicate high expectation of all staff.
• To serve as a resource for building administrators in the supervision of special education staff.
• Program/Curriculum Development
• To effectively allocate time based on Cooperative, program and individual goals.
• To develop communication channels including staff meetings, notices and personal contact to facilitate interaction among staff and between programs at various levels.
• To consult with and serve as a resource to school administration regarding special education programs and compliance.
• To serve as Cooperative contact person for special education services and represent the Cooperative at local, state, regional and national meetings, as requested.
• To serve as project director for state and federal programs pertaining to special education.
• To serve as project director for related grants and programs.
• To provide ongoing professional development related to special education process and procedures for regular and special education staff, as requested by member schools.
• Student Services
• To assist and guide specialists in observing, describing and referring students suspected of disabilities.
• To assist in proper referral of identified individuals to other agencies which may help meet a student's needs.
• To assist as requested in the development of Evaluation Reports and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
• To serve as a resource for schools regarding community and transition services for special needs students.
• Budget Development and Management
• To work jointly with the Office Manager/Clerk to identify fiscal needs and develop a budget for the Cooperative.
• To oversee the management of funds budgeted for the Cooperative, jointly with the Office Manager/Clerk, to ensure compliance with rules and regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
• To allocate resources based on Cooperative funding priorities to ensure the delivery of quality services delineated in the Interlocal Agreement.
• Record Maintenance
• To monitor accurate and orderly records as required by statute, policy and administrative rules.
• To secure records against unauthorized access, fire, and theft.
• To respond in a timely manner to requests for student records by the parent or legal guardian.
• To notify parents of due process procedures and information pertaining to special education programs.
• To serve as a resource to member schools for the purpose of maintaining special education records that comply with statute, policy, and administrative rules.
• Compliance with Policies and Procedures
• Serves as the Management Board's resource to assure compliance with State and Federal regulations.
• Develop meeting agendas for Board meetings, in collaboration with Chair of the Management Board, and publish in accordance with Montana Open Meeting laws.
• Submit a director's report to the Management Board and attend all Board meetings.
• Work in collaboration with the Management Board to provide on-going review and updates to Cooperative procedures and policies.
• Assist, advise and represent member districts with due process procedures to ensure FAPE and the rights of students and families eligible for special services in their schools.
• Assist Cooperative school personnel in awareness and legal compliance with State and Federal rules and regulations pertaining to special education.