Director of Special Education

Location:

Grand Rapids Public Schools Franklin Campus Administration Building - Grand Rapids, Michigan. View on Google Maps.

The Director of Special Education and Early Intervention Services plans, monitors for accountability, and serves as a consultant for special education programs and services at Grand Rapids Public Schools. The Director also supervises the Special Education Supervisors to ensure compliance with state, federal, and local rules and regulations.

• Analyze, interpret, and communicate information concerning special education initiatives, laws, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Serve as Department Professional Learning Coordinator, including:
  • Lead teams at the district and school level in the continued innovation and implementation of learning cycles that include job-embedded and on-line learning.
  • Regularly visit schools, classrooms, PLCs, and professional development sessions to observe the work and learning of participants and facilitators, evaluate the implementation of the learning, and ensure schools are getting the support and resources needed to be successful.
  • Oversee the design and process of professional development plans by district and schools, including the vetting and posting procedures, meeting timelines, generating reports, and using continuous improvement processes.
  • Ensure the design and use of quantitative and qualitative data analyses in the planning and evaluation of all professional development sessions.
• Serve as District Medicaid Coordinator.
• Supervise Special Education Supervisors.
• Coordinate and convene monthly data meetings to address findings around attendance and suspension.
• Coordinate and convene monthly data meetings for Department Secretaries, Related Service Providers, and SE Supervisors.
• Monitor scholar outcomes for local district special education programs/services.
• Develop White Papers, Proposals, Professional Learning Tools and Resources to support district initiatives.
• Coordinate OSE Monitoring and Compliance activities in Catamaran.
• Participate in state level committees related to job responsibilities.
• Serve as a designee for Executive Director for Special Education and Early Intervention Services upon request or assignment.
• Assist with budgeting process.
• Represent GRPS at State/Regional meetings as assigned by agency or grant requirement.
• Provide professional development and training for service providers.
• Oversee and review IEP process with stakeholders.
• Develop, review and update parent involvement plans.
• Conduct investigation of formal and informal complaints.
• Provide leadership for curriculum development and program evaluation.
• Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in special education or administration.
• Valid Michigan teaching certificate with endorsement in at least one area of special education.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three years of successful experience as a supervisor or director of special education administrator preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Understanding of local district functions sufficient to assist in policy development and administration with intimate knowledge of special education services.
• Ability to implement complex systems of support.
• Ability to handle conflict productively.
• Ability to speak to individuals one-on-one and make recommendations.
• Ability to drive between buildings, local school districts and to workshops, meetings, and conferences throughout the state.
• Ability to attend occasional evening and weekend activities.
• Analyze, interpret, and communicate information concerning special education laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and practices.
• Ability to direct resolution with staff, families, and district leadership.
• Ability to serve as special education administrative representative on committees.
• Ability to monitor programs/services.
• Ability to navigate and use with fidelity Scholar and District Data Management Systems.
• Ability to coordinate mandatory compliance and monitoring activities.
• Assist with recruitment, hiring, evaluation and professional development of…