Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design - Waterbury, United States - The State Education Resource Center (SERC),

Description

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
& INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone:

The State Education Resource Center (SERC), a quasi-public agency serving the State ofConnecticut, is seeking candidates to fill the full-time Director of Special Education Programsand Instructional Design position.

This position will be primarily responsible for collaboratingwith internal and external partners to develop, support, and sustain the agency's infrastructure forspecial education programs and services, and, in the absence of the Executive Director, theincumbent will be responsible for all facets of SERC's operations.

This includes programdesign, coordination, and monitoring, professional learning, personnel, and policy development.
This position reports directly to the Executive Director. This is a full-time, salaried, exemptposition.

SERC's mission is to provide resources, professional development, and a centralized library toeducators, families, and community members in collaboration with the CT State Board ofEducation and other partners.

SERC believes that all students have the right to accessopportunities and experiences that reflect and respect their differences and abilities.

Researchindicates that educational outcomes for students of color, students who are English learners, andstudents with disabilities continue to lag behind other students' outcomes.

SERC's consultantsand staff, in collaboration with our partners in school districts and organizations, build thecapacity of educators, service providers, and families to meet the diverse needs of our studentpopulation.

General SummaryThe SERC Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design will collaboratewith the Executive Director by providing leadership and guidance, both internally and externally,to ensure effective and efficient implementation of SERC's vision and mission.

Furthermore, theposition will work directly with the Board of Directors and SERC's Leadership Team to lead,implement, and assess SERC's sustainability plan and long-range system goals designed todiversify the agency's funding sources.

The Director will lead collaborative efforts with theSpecial Education Division Director, Bureau of Special Education, Connecticut StateDepartment of Education (CSDE), and other CSDE personnel regarding the design, efficacy,sustainability, impact, and implementation of SERC's program offerings.

175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone:

Essential Job FunctionsThe SERC Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design provides a widerange of services in collaboration with the Executive Director.

Applicants must have the abilityto complete the following essential job functions:

• Keep current on national and state program innovations and policy changes to anticipatethe needs of the field.

Planning

• Operate in collaboration with the CSDE and other student-serving agencies around thedevelopment and implementation of programs to serve all students, with a particularfocus on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and
• Serve as the agency's subject matter expert to drive targeted inclusion, racial equity, and

social justice programming locally and statewide.
Program

• Maintain an effective liaison with the CSDE, school districts, community agencies, andother education-related organizations in order to build partnerships that effectivelysupport Connecticut's children and families.

Marketing

• Support the development and implementation of SERC's five-year strategic marketingplan.
• Supervise staff in the development, coordination, and implementation of professional learning programs, including meeting regularly with staff for communication, goalsetting, progress monitoring, and
• Provide a continuum of leadership to ensure the professional growth of staff.

175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone:

Finance

• Manage and monitor all federal and state program budgets under the supervision of this

position, including monthly and annual reporting to the CSDE and other granting

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to

perform the essential job functions.
ResponsibilitiesThe SERC Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design encompasses a hostof responsibilities.

Duties include, but are not limited to:
Program

• Engage in ongoing evaluation, including coordination of Results Based Accountabilityusing program data review and analysis of grant compliance, submission of operationaland progress reports to the Executive Director, and recommending and implementingprogrammatic change as necessary;
• Oversee, coordinate, and facilitate the development and presentation of technical

assistance documents and pieces of training as related to either the special educationprograms or other federal and state grants;

• Ensure that best practices in the field of inclusion, racial equity, and social justice are

accessible; and

• Maintain awareness of and involvement in national and state professional organizationsdevoted to advancing technical assistance delivery and professional learning.

Marketing

• Leverage communication, marketing, and branding efforts to include SERC's socialmedia platforms for enhancing brand awareness and stimulating new interest amongeducational institutions, communities, and other stakeholders as a means to promoteinterest and diversify SERC's funding sources;
• Communicate with external constituents to promote SERC's opportunities, which may

include district superintendents, key district office personnel, school principals, and headsof appropriate educational agencies and community organizations; and
175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone:

• Represent SERC at conferences, community events, etc., to promote SERC's vision andmission.
• Coordinate staff assignments, identify staff needs, and facilitate supervisee professionalgrowth by utilizing a systems approach to ensure quality work and improvement;
• Manage staff performance through the use of the agency's evaluation system and
• In conjunction with Human Resources, assist in the recruiting, interviewing, screening,

and recommending of qualified candidates for agency positions.
Additional duties may, at times, be required.


Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesKnowledge of:

• Adult learning theory, culture design, and transformation, with a focus on change

management experience, implementing educational initiatives and programs;● Best practices to inform SERC's Inclusion, Racial Equity, and Social Justice agenda;

• Leading large complex projects, working in a fast-paced environment, handling multiple

and changing priorities simultaneously, and● Navigating complex organizations and making the right connections to drive work
forward while anticipating potential shifts in work and performance;

Skill In:

• Developing and managing program services and gaining support from stakeholders in a

complex environment;

• Developing a measurement strategy to monitor and drive success and hold SERCaccountable for expected results;
• Developing a network and association with educators in state schools and districts;
• Planning, executing, and overseeing professional development and training opportunities;

175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone:

• Administering programs, interpersonal and consulting skills; needs assessment, problemsolving, collaboration, and supervision to drive results; and
• Working in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.).

Ability to:

• Lead individuals and teams effectively;
• Develop creative and innovative learning opportunities;
• Develop relationships and design training/technical assistance necessary to engage

participants in meaningful professional development;● Professionally represent SERC at work-related functions and in the community, to
include presenting information to diverse audiences;● Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in diverse situations;

• Define problems, collect data, and establish facts to draw valid conclusions as a change

agent; and

• Lead multiple projects concurrently while paying close attention to detail.

The ideal applicant must have demonstrated effectiveness in a collaborative, highly teamoriented environment yet possess initiative, self-motivation, and work with minimal supervision.

The Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design will operate in aprofessional office and virtual environment. Professional business attire will be required. Thisrole routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones. Off-siterequirements are specific to workshops, training, or school and community work. This positionroutinely requires in-state and, occasionally, out-of-state travel.

Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform theessential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
The employee is frequently required to stand; be mobile; use hands or fingers; handle or feel,
175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone:

reach with hands and arms and lift/carry items. The availability of transportation is required toattend off-site work requirements.
Position Type/Expected Hours of WorkThis role is a full-time, exempt position. Days and work hours are Monday through Friday from8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasionally, weekend or after-hours work may be necessary.

Education and ExperienceMaster's degree in Special Education, Education, or related field AND ten (10) years ofprofessional experience in the field of education, preferably with an administrative or centraloffice background, AND five (5) years of experience in a supervisory position, required.

Or anadvanced degree in the field of Special Education and experience in the education of studentswith disabilities in the least restrictive environment AND ten (10) or more years of experienceserving as a regular or special education teacher or administrator, AND five (5) years ofexperience in a supervisory position, preferred.$115,000*New hires will start at the first step of the salary range.

This position will remain open until filled.

A thorough, updated resume, cover letter, and at leastthree professional references submitted with the application package are required for consideration.

Apply online at (select Employment under the about tab). SERC reserves the rightto substitute years of experience for certification or degrees. SERC may expand inquiries intomaterials submitted in support of an applicant's candidacy without further permission from theapplicant.
DisclaimerSERC reserves the right to substitute years of experience for certification or degrees. SERC mayexpand inquiries into materials submitted in support of an applicant's candidacy without furtherpermission from the applicant.

SERC reserves the right to modify compensation, benefits,minimum qualifications, desired skills, and job duties for this position at any time.

A completesatisfactory background check is required.

SERC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages the application ofindividuals from racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from persons with disabilities.

Essential Job Functions

The SERC Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design provides a wide range of services in collaboration with the Executive Director.

Applicants must have the ability to complete the following essential job functions:

Innovation

• Keep current on national and state program innovations and policy changes to anticipate the needs of the field.

Planning

• Operate in collaboration with the CSDE and other student-serving agencies around the development and implementation of programs to serve all students, with a particular focus on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and
• Serve as the agency's subject matter expert to drive targeted inclusion, racial equity, and social justice programming locally and statewide.

Program

• Maintain an effective liaison with the CSDE, school districts, community agencies, and other education-related organizations in order to build partnerships that effectively support Connecticut's children and families.

Marketing

• Support the development and implementation of SERC's five-year strategic marketing plan.
• Supervise staff in the development, coordination, and implementation of professional learning programs, including meeting regularly with staff for communication, goal-setting, progress monitoring, and
• Provide a continuum of leadership to ensure the professional growth of staff.

Finance

• Manage and monitor all federal and state program budgets under the supervision of this position, including monthly and annual reporting to the CSDE and other granting agencies.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

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