Permanent Director of Special Education position to begin July 1st, 2024 or sooner based upon candidate availability.

This position is open until filled.

Medford SD 549C Job Description

Our Mission: ALL Own Their Present and Future, ALL Are Known and Challenged, ALL Achieve Their Potential, ALL Options are Open and Hopeful

Job Title: Director of Special Education

Supervisor: Executive Director of Teaching and Learning

FLSA Status: Exempt

Days: 260

SUMMARY

The Director of Special Education oversees and provides strategic and operational oversight of all special education programs. The Director of Special Education is responsible for ensuring the delivery of special education programs and services. The Director of Special Education must demonstrate expertise in a wide variety of special education services and options for students, relying on experience to plan and accomplish special education department goals strategically and lead and directs the work of others with a strong vision of inclusivity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage all special education services.
• Supervise and evaluate the work and professional growth of assigned special education staff and assist with supervising and evaluating all special education staff.
• Organize the special education department to efficiently and effectively achieve District goals.
• Organize and conduct regular meetings with special education staff.
• Organize and conduct appropriate staffing sessions.
• Coordinate the activities of all special education personnel, both licensed and classified.
• Maintain and submit required records and reports.
• Interpret special education program objectives, activities, and program needs to District administration and others, as needed.
• Work directly with principals on developing and improving special education services.
• Organize individualized student testing and evaluations for the District.
• Work cooperatively with principals in selecting teaching personnel assigned to special education and their buildings.
• Maintain a liaison with local, state, and national agencies.
• Recommend practices and procedures for special education services that are consistent and in compliance with state and federal mandates.
• Ensure that the District sets and attains short and long-term special education service goals.
• Provide clinical supervision of special education teachers.
• Participate as a District representative for out-of-district special education students who reside in the District.
• Serve as a member of the Superintendent's cabinet.
• Model the characteristics of effective leadership, including energy, integrity, high-level communication skills, and strategic thinking processes.
• Lead the interpretation of special education curriculum and/or instruction changes and/or outcomes to the board, administration, staff, and the community.
• Provide leadership to instill a sense of urgency to improve student achievement and success throughout the District.
• Ensure all work is performed following federal and state standards.
• Participate in the District's strategic planning, development, and goal achievement.
• Assist in developing a budget and financial data for the District special education budget components.
• Attend school board meetings and provide reports to the Board of Education as directed by the Superintendent.
• Keep current and interpret all laws, regulations, and statutes relating to public education, especially those applicable to special education.
• Perform all professional obligations at the executive level: meet deadlines, honor schedules, efficiently utilize and manage resources, work within established decision-making procedures, and lead by example.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Director of Special Education is responsible for the supervision of assigned staff.
• All employees of the Medford School District are responsible for supervising students and providing a safe environment.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in Education or related field preferred.
• Must hold or be eligible for licensure as an Administrator through Oregon TSPC.
• Progressive public education experience includes but is not limited to classroom teaching, school principal, and other education leadership roles.
• Progressive responsibility in leading and managing diverse work teams.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Write and speak fluently in English; Spanish bilingual competency/literacy a plus.
• Communicate with a high degree of diplomacy in dealing with all employees, community members, guests, volunteers, contractors, and vendors over the phone or in person
• High proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, database, PowerPoint, email, and webinar software use.
• High level of expertise in all areas of special education services.
• Provide strategic direction and operational insights for the special education department.
• Lead, manage, and develop direct reports.
• Awareness of current legal issues and rulings regarding special education students and services.
• Effectively address key strategic challenges and opportunities.
• Cooperatively and effectively work within a team environment, including coaching and development.
• Effectively plans and utilizes resources.
• Effectively manage, plan, organize, coordinate, and prioritize multiple projects/priorities.
• Utilize effective consultation and/or resolution processes.
• Cultivate and maintain positive and effective working relationships with staff and the public.
• Serve as a mentor and lead change.
• Collect, maintain, and accurately analyze/disseminate relevant data.
• Flexible, dependable, responsive, and creative.
• State laws and safety procedures which apply to students and staff.
• Staff performance management practices.
• Work effectively with minimal supervision/oversight.

Qualifications: An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Communications or a related field or a combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the job's essential functions. Three years of demonstrated Communications experience is required.

Interpersonal Skills:

Demonstrated high-level skill and ability to interact appropriately with all audiences, including but not limited to the general public, parents, teachers, staff, and students; Ability to focus on solving conflict; maintain confidentiality; understanding communication in building a positive team spirit.

Language Skills:

Highest proficiency in English verbal and written communication with excellent grammar, spelling, and punctuation; preference may be given to applicants who are fluent in spoken and written Spanish with a demonstrated high-level Spanish literacy. The ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from the general public, parents, students, or District staff; write complex reports, correspondence, and public relations messages; and respond to common inquiries from regulatory agencies.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; high proficiency in using spreadsheets to create charts, presentations, or similar reports.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply sound judgment and understanding in carrying out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form; work with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual will be highly proficient with a variety of multi-media software, including but not limited to desktop publishing, MS Office suite, internet, email, various forms of social media, Photoshop, and similar products, database software; highly proficient in the set-up and direct the use of multi-media hardware, computers/laptops, projectors, audio equipment.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Certificates as determined by the District, including a valid Oregon driver's license.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent must frequently walk, sit, stand for extended periods, and routinely stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Lifting to 10 pounds is often necessary, with up to 25 pounds occasionally; specific vision abilities require close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here represent those employees encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions, or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The District may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) whenever it deems advisable.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Medford School District 549C is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and in accordance with Federal and State legislation, including Title IX, title VIII, ORS 659.150, does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or marital status in employment or educational programs.

Medford School District 549C is an equal opportunity employer and provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235.

Qualifying veterans and disabled veterans may obtain preference by submitting as verification of eligibility, a copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) or a letter from the US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension to your application by the closing date. Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran’s disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veteran Affairs, unless the information is included on the DD Form 214/215.