JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE
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ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR SPECIAL SERVICES
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QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
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- NJ Administrative Code certification or eligibility.
- Related experience in
a special education with a strong background in compliance and application of regulations.
- Excellent communication and outreach skills, including responsiveness to parent and staff questions and concerns in a timely and effective manner
- Superb organizational, project planning and implementation skills
- Evidence of familiarity and implementation of “best practices” in special services and in education, in general.
- Commitment to raising critical issues and to provide sound, research-based evidence to address them.
- Experience in recruiting, hiring, and retaining staff members who will execute the department’s mission with fidelity and integrity and who will be equally passionate, committed, and capable.
- Evidence of the use of a pragmatic approach to the work, actively listening to input and using the input, along with the use of data, to make decisions
- Evidence of advocacy of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in Least Restrictive Environments (LRE) for students across the district.
- Extensive knowledge of Federal and State special education code, compliance, and applicable case law (including a solid understanding eligibility for Special Education.
- Demonstrated leadership in best practices for instructional programs, positive behavioral support, RTI and/or I&RS and Section 504.
- Knowledge of research, current practice, national and state initiatives, student outcomes, and program evaluation.
- Experience with the development of budgets, competitive and entitlement grants, government reporting and assessment.
- Demonstrated experience in best practices in mitigating potential litigation.
- Demonstrated experience in the supervision of nursing services.
- Demonstrated experience in leading McKinney Vento Act and Department of Children Protection and Permanency (DCP&P).
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REPORTS TO
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Superintendent of Schools
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JOB GOAL(S) |
To form a long-term vision for the department and the district’s approach to special education, particularly on how SOMSD will address the identification and evaluations of students, service provision, and modifications to the core curricula and assessment practices PreK-21.
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PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Capacity to understand the district’s legal challenges on the implementation of special education
programs and to implement plans that respond to student needs while mitigating risks in
execution.
2. Support existing therapeutic programs, e.g., I-Step (6-8) and ESS (9-12), to redefine them to ensure
their continued success of eligible students within the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
3. Development of programs based on data that can inform how referrals and curriculum evaluations
can be improved.
4. Accountability for child study teams and related services providers to ensure compliance and
service delivery in accordance with students’ IEPs and Section 504 Plans.
5. Maintain abreast with current educational issues through ongoing professional development.
6. Ensure that all students with disabilities are provided a free and appropriate public education
through the provision of high-quality instructional programs and supplemental aids and services.
7. Lead the implementation of policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that govern the
evaluation of students referred for special education services and delivery of special education,
related and supplemental aids and services, in accordance with state and federal regulations.
8. Maintain ongoing communication with the administration and regular/special education staff.
9. Communicate information on programs, services and regulations to school personnel, parents, and
the Board of Education.
10. Use data to lead oversight of Section 504’s, I&RS, school attendance and the disproportionate
number of suspended students, with ongoing reporting to administration and the board of
education.
11. Lead the implementation of the district’s pre-kindergarten program
12. Use relevant observation and evaluation of child study team members and related services
providers to drive staffing decisions.
13. Collaborate with “lead nurse” to implement, evaluate and revise the District’s Nursing Plan, in
accordance with NJDOE Administrative Code.
14. Develop and administers district wide special education budget.
15. Responsible for the supervision of special education home instruction PreK-12 and general
education PreK-12.
16. Responsible for special education student records, including compliance with appropriate laws and
regulations.
17. Prepare and submit reports for federal, state and local reporting agencies, in collaboration with
other district offices.
18. Collaborate with the transportation department in planning and delivery of services to students
whose IEP require this service.
19. Collaborate with the business office in planning and delivery of services to students whose IEPs
and Section 504 Plans require a paraprofessional.
20. Perform other duties and assignments as designated by the Superintendent.
AUTHORITY
1. The assistant superintendent oversees all special education staff and programs in concert with
principals and special education supervisors.
2. Utilizes supervision, staff development and performance evaluation to improve educational
programs and service delivery.
3. Responsible for the supervision of child study team members and related service providers.
4. Recruits and employs credentialed personnel as required to provide services to students with
disabilities consistent with their IEPs.
5. Coordinates staff development opportunities to enable staff to better serve the needs of special
education students.
6. Coordinates with outside agencies to provide services to students and staff for the purpose of
offering appropriate services.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS OF THE POSITION: To maintain effective relationships with teachers, parents, students, administrators and appropriate community groups.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT 12 Months
Salary to be determined by the Board