PENDERGAST SCHOOL DISTRICT

Job Description

Job Title:  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT SERVICES

EXEMPT:  Yes                                                   TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:  12 Months

SALARY LEVEL:                                              JOB CODE:         

LOCATION: Pendergast Learning Center         DEPARTMENT:  Educational Services

REPORTS TO:  Chief Academic Officer          DATE APPROVED:       

SUMMARY:   The Executive Director of Exceptional Student Services will be responsible for providing leadership and supervision of all District special education programs and related services.  Duties will include oversight of all ESS office staff.  The Executive Director will collaborate with the Chief Academic Officer in administering, planning, budgeting and coordinating all activities and programs pertaining to exceptional student population. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Special Education or related field
• Valid Administrative Certification (If Administrative Certification is from another State, must have the ability to gain the Arizona Administrative Certification)
• Three years’ experience working in a special education environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five or more years special education teaching experience
• Experience supervising the administration of special education programs
• Demonstrated proficiency with special education laws and Section 504
• Evidence of leadership in delivery of professional development in special education

Such alternatives to the above required & preferred qualifications as the Superintendent/Designee may find appropriate and acceptable.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Responsible for design, delivery and evaluation of special education programs that increase student growth and accomplishment of IEP goals
2. Responsible for the evaluation of assigned staff and the oversight of all special education staff
3. Responsible for aligning all special education programs and interventions with Arizona Academic Standards, best practices, and current textbook adoptions, AZ Learns and No Child Left Behind.
4. Works collaboratively with the Administrator for Curriculum and Accountability and the Administrator for Professional Development and Instruction to develop annual and multi-year calendars for professional development opportunities for special education staff and all instructional staff.
5. Works with administrative team to assure that all stakeholders are informed regarding special education programs across the district.
6. Develops the plan for utilizing instructional and adaptive technology in the support of special education programs across the district.
7. Conducts an annual program analysis and report on special education programs offered throughout the district. The purpose of the report is to identify areas in which activities can be improved to better meet the needs of Pendergast students.
8. Evaluates the ESS program(s) operational performance, review work methods and procedures, develop and implement changes in work process, forms, workflow, and/or equipment use to ensure efficient operations and compliance with state and federal policies, regulations, and legislation.
9. Works productively as a team member with the Leadership Team, District Planning Team and teaching staff, classified staff and site-based teams.
10. Works with the Administrator for Curriculum and Accountability in coordinating the purchase and timely arrival in the classrooms of all supplementary instructional materials required for special education teachers that support district adoptions.
11. Responsible for establishing and updating the list of standardized materials in each special education class in the district. Works with building administration to assure that special education teachers have the standardized materials they need to teach students.
12. Responsible for supporting the Administrator for Student Services in keeping the district in compliance with all state and federal special education and student health laws as well as district policies.
13. Works in coordination with Human Resources to recruit and retain “highly qualified” special education staff members.
14. Perform such other duties and assumes such other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent/Designee.

EVALUATION:  At least once annually in accordance Governing Board Policy. 

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions; ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several concrete variables

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret education materials and programs; ability to write reports, procedure manuals, and correspondence; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of teachers, students, administration, and the community.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:  Ability to work with mathematics in the area of budgets, expenditures and revenues.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to talk and hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception , and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.