• Job Description

  Req#: 4942020

  This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the To Apply section.

  Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

  The Iowa Department of Education’s mission is to ensure all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

  
  

  We are seeking a dedicated, expert Regional Special Education Director to ensure that all students with disabilities experience a world-class education that meets their needs, inspires them, and prepares them for a bright future. The Regional Special Education Director will provide once in a lifetime, generational leadership and regional engagement efforts to improve educational results and functional outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families (IDEA, Part C known as Early Access) and for children with disabilities (IDEA, Part B including 619).

  
  

  Your Responsibilities:

  • Improve outcomes and close the achievement gap for learners with disabilities by providing regional leadership and engagement efforts with the Area Education Agency (AEA), local education agencies (LEAs), early intervention service (EIS) providers, and all relevant stakeholders and supporting the development and delivery of evidence-based professional learning and coaching opportunities to improve instructional practices.
  • Implement the Department’s special education accountability structures and ensure that providers meet the requirements under IDEA, state law, and all relevant federal and state regulations and guidance. This includes supporting the implementation of IDEA-Differentiated Accountability and other special education continuous improvement efforts.
  • Oversee and approve the policies, procedures, and practices of the AEA, LEAs and EIS providers to ensure each child with a disability in the region receives a Free and Appropriate Public Education in the Least Restrictive Environment.
  • Ensure integrated systems of special education evaluation and appropriate identification (Child Find), IEP team formation and function, IEP development and implementation with fidelity, special education services and supports, high-quality specially designed instruction, and postsecondary transitions.
  • Provide general supervision and direct oversight consistent with OSEP guidance, including the Iowa Department of Education’s relevant general supervision duties under federal IDEA law to inform, prevent, detect, inspect, and correct special education practices. This also includes implement investigative activities, reviewing and approving long-term goals and ensuring the evaluation of progress towards continuous improvement in special education.
  • Ensure the appropriate use of special education finances, including assigning appropriate weights for each child requiring special education programs or services in coordination with the AEA, and ensure compliant and timely reporting by the AEA and the LEAs.
  • Supervise and direct the work of regional Department educational program consultants (EPC) for continuous improvement, coach staff to advance skills, and allocate the use of regional resources to support continuous improvement practices in the AEA, LEAs, and EIS provider areas and to close the achievement gap for learners with disabilities.

  
  

  Candidates are encouraged to include detailed information about their relevant special education experiences and leadership experiences in their application, or submit a cover letter and resume in addition to their application.

  CREDENTIALS:

  Director of Special Education OR

  Professional Services Administrator OR

  Special Education Supervisor/Instruction OR

  Pk12 Principal/Supervisor Special Education OR

  Special Education Consultant OR

  School Psychologist OR

  Teaching License with a Special Education Endorsement OR

  Professional Service License OR

  Superintendent

  
  

  If you wish to review a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire, please contact idoe.hr@iowa.gov .

  Hours: 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M., Monday – Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

  A successful candidate will bring or have the ability and desire to learn:

  • Aspiration for accomplishing common goals in pursuit of public service
  • Passion for supporting learners with disabilities and closing the achievement gap
  • Ability to interpret and break down highly technical and regulatory language and present information in an understandable manner
  • High degree of content knowledge in the area of special education policies, practices, and instruction
  • Aptitude for data analysis and making data-drive decisions
  • Capacity to support continuous improvement efforts in schools
  • Ability to work collaboratively on, and provide leadership for, high-performing teams
  • Ability to work independently, moving projects forward with minimal supervision and direction
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills
  • Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders

  WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

  • Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of children, their families, and Iowa communities

  • An opportunity to implement generational change in the educational system in Iowa

  • Collaborative, positive work environment

  • Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow

  • Professional learning opportunities and the ability to develop as a leader

  • Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country

  • Employee discounts from a variety of vendors

  • Competitive salary and benefits package:

  https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/employment/Benefits_Beyond_the_Paycheck.pdf

  (Download PDF reader)

  
  

  Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
  
  1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, and experience equal to six years of full-time, professional-level work in special education, program administration, development, management, or operations.
  
  2) A combination of a total of ten years of education and full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work may substitute for one year of full-time experience.
  
  3) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in special education, therapy (physical, occupational, speech/language, or other education-related area), social work, law, education, or public or business administration, and experience equal to four years of full-time, professional-level work in special education, program administration, development, management, or operations.
  
  

• About the company

  Iowa (/ˈaɪoʊwə/) is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west.

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