Director of Special Programs

Job Title: Director of Special Programs

Exemption Status/ Test: Exempt/ Professional

Reports to: Assistant Superintendent

Department/ School: Special Programs Department

Minimum Salary: $77,577

Annual Work Calendar Days: 226 Days

Primary Purpose:

Direct and manage the district's special education program. Ensure that services are provided for special needs students and individualized education plans are provided to meet the needs of all students. Warrant compliance with all state, federal, and local requirements.

Benefits: 

Why Bay City ISD?

Education/Certification:

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university

Texas Teachers Certificate

Texas Mid-management or Principal Certificate

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of curriculum and instruction
Knowledge of strategies and materials for the education of bilingual students
Knowledge of federal and state special education law

Knowledge of other special populations (OSP) and results driven accountability (RDA)
Understanding of the individual needs of special needs students and bilingual students 
Ability to communicate with all levels of special needs students and their parents
Ability to implement policy and procedures
Ability to interpret data
Ability to manage budget and personnel
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Experience:

Three years of experience in special education and bilingual
Three years as a Campus or Central Office Administrator

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Instructional and Program Management

1. Oversee the development and delivery of special education curriculum and instructional programs that incorporate district goals and support student achievement. Ensure that curriculum renewal is continuous and responsive to student needs.
2. Oversee other special populations (OSP) including McKinney Vento, Foster Care, and Military Connected.
3. Implement procedures and coordinate the process to identify bilingual student at all grade levels district wide, including review of student data and testing of students.
4. Work with other curriculum coordinators to establish and maintain challenging academic standards that will ensure that students learn English as well as content information and exit the bilingual/ESL programs within established timeframes.
5. Consult with teachers to develop and provide bilingual students with appropriate course work through curriculum modification and acceleration.
6. Plan and provide staff development including sessions on methods for identifying and instructing bilingual students and enriched learning.
7. Evaluate the bilingual program effectiveness based on evaluative findings (including student achievement data) and recommend changes as needed.
8. Develop and implement an effective special education referral process and ensure that student assessments and recommendations regarding placement and program management for individual students are completed in a timely manner.
9. Monitor the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) process districtwide. Participate in committee meetings as needed to ensure that students are placed appropriately and development of individual education plans for students are consistent with district procedures. Ensure that student progress is evaluated on a systematic basis.
10. Obtain and use evaluative findings (including student achievement data) to gauge special education program effectiveness. Make changes when warranted.
11. Ensure that the necessary time, resources, materials, and technology to support accomplish educational goals are available. Encourage and support the development of innovative instructional programs.
12. Direct transition services for special education students entering and exiting public school programs.
13. Take an active role in the formulating and implementing contracts for special education students receiving services outside of the district.

Student Management

1. Demonstrate support for the district’s student management policies and expected student behavior related to special education program.

Policy, Reports, and Law

1. Implement the policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in area of special education and bilingual/ESL. Recommend sound policies and procedures to improve programs.
2. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required.
3. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

Budget and Inventory

1. Develop and administer the special education budget based on documented needs and ensure that operations are cost effective and funds are managed wisely.
2. Participate in development, preparation, and administration of the budget for supplies and equipment and ensure that the program is cost effective and funds are managed wisely.
3. Contribute to the selection and purchase of supplemental equipment and supplies for the program.
4. Participate in grant-writing activities to obtain program funding.
5. Maintain a current inventory of supplies and equipment and recommend the replacement and disposal of equipment when necessary.

Personnel Management

1. Prepare, review, and revise job descriptions in special education department.
2. Select, train, supervise, and evaluate staff and make recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.

Communication and Community Relations

1. Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with principals, teachers, staff, parents, and community members.
2. Serve as district liaison to community agencies providing services to students and notify parents and students of available services.
3. Articulate the district’s mission and goals in the area of special education and bilingual/ESL to the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission.
4. Demonstrate awareness of district-community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs.
5. Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise, evaluate, and recommend the hiring and firing of special education support staff.*
 
All other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in classrooms, offices, work stations and meeting rooms.

The position requires occasional walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting/carrying work related items weighing less than 40 pounds, such as books, papers and presentation materials. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Attendance at conferences and professional development is required. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions when operating equipment or performing job duties. May work prolonged or irregular hours and must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

In its efforts to promote nondiscrimination and as required by law, Bay City ISD does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, military status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law. 

Additionally, the district does not discriminate against an employee or applicant who acts to oppose such discrimination or participates in the investigation of a complaint related to a discriminatory employment practice. Employment decisions will be made on the basis of each applicant’s job qualifications, experience, and abilities.