Director of Special Programs and Related Services

Job Description

The Director of Special Programs and Related Services is responsible for assisting the Executive Director of Specialized Instruction with planning, administering, and directing the division's special education services for students with disabilities being considered for or receiving services in city wide programs, including programming for early childhood students with disabilities and students receiving services in a private placement. This position also supervises assigned departmental personnel who provide related services of Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), Audiology or Adapted Physical Education. Individual shall direct and coordinate the division wide Medicaid Reimbursement Program. The position includes managing funding and programming under the regional tuition reimbursement program as well as assisting with budget development for city wide programs. Individual shall coordinate with other departments in providing leadership, development and management of social emotional and behavioral support in schools for students with disabilities experiencing challenging behaviors. This position manages compliance with ACPS School Board Policy JM - Emergency Use of Restraint and Seclusion. This position directs and supervises the provision of special education services provided per the IEP in a private placement. This position reports to the Executive Director of Specialized Instruction.

Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in Special Education.

• Certificates/Licenses: Postgraduate Professional License and Endorsement in Administration and Supervision, PreK-12 and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification preferred.

• Experience: At least 5 years of supervisory experience required.

Key Competencies:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, best practices and current issues in the provision of special education services for students with autism, emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities and multiple disabilities as well as implementation of adapted physical education and the related services of Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Audiology.
• Possess the essential skills to work collaboratively with school division personnel to implement and monitor special education services.
• Ability to work in a supportive, collaborative role with central office and school based administration.
• Ability to interface with all other departments to coordinate reciprocal services for achieving departmental goals.
• Strong management, supervisory and problem solving skills.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills to respond to parents and advocacy groups.

Essential Functions:

• Provide guidance and leadership to assigned central office personnel regarding implementation of special education services for students with autism, emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities and multiple disabilities.
• Ensure programming for students with disabilities in city wide programs is based upon current best practices for meeting the needs of students with significant disabilities.
• Direct and supervise the provision of PreK-12 Special Education Supports and services for students being considered for or receiving special education services in City Wide Programs for Students with Disabilities.
• Supervise and monitor ACPS regulations regarding Crisis Response to Challenging Behaviors, including coordinating Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training, maintaining records of trained staff and recertification dates, ensuring training required for all staff meets state requirements, and maintaining and reviewing data related to use of restraint and seclusion.
• Supervise and monitor the file review process for consideration of students with disabilities participation in the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP). Monitors training and support to teachers regarding implementation of the VAAP.
• Direct and supervise the provision of special education services for students with disabilities placed by the IEP team in a private school.
• Provide guidance and leadership to assigned central office personnel regarding implementation of special education services for students who require adapted physical education, and/or the related services of Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Audiology.
• Supervise the related services of Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Audiology and provide comprehensive support in these areas to school teams for students receiving special education services.
• Supervise a continuum of adapted physical education services to ensure all students with disabilities had access to the physical education curriculum in the least restrictive environment.
• Direct and supervise division wide implementation of the Medicaid Reimbursement Program.
• Assist with budget development and implementation related to responsible areas of supervision.
• Supervise and evaluate assigned staff members relative to assigned responsibilities.
• Assist the executive director with monitoring short and long term departmental goals to support the school division strategic plan.
• Involve personnel in continuous improvement through self-evaluation and goal setting.

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.

Public Health Compliance

• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP