The Del Norte Unified School District, Crescent City, California, is seeking a highly qualified, educational leader to serve as Executive Director of Special Education. The district wishes to have the successful candidate assume the responsibilities of the position as soon as candidate is available, but no later than July 1, 2023
McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., Executive Recruitment and Development, has been engaged as the consultant in a search for outstanding candidates. They will assist the district in identifying and screening the candidates.
Enrollment: 3,600
Location: 375 miles northwest of Sacramento, 85 miles southwest of Grants Pass, Oregon
The Position Description
Purpose: Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, the Special Education Director will oversee the special education program and administer education services for qualifying students from birth to age 22. The Director will monitor program services to ensure state and federal compliance and act as a resource to district and site administrators in the development and implementation of services for students with special needs. The Director will coordinate services with the County Office of Education, outside agencies and the SELPA to provide the necessary educational supports to qualifying students. The Director will supervise and evaluate all District psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational and physical therapists, and behavior analyst and oversee the services and assessments provided to students. The Director will also supervise and evaluate the classified support staff for the certificated staff that fall under the direction of the Director. The Director will monitor and maintain the special education district budget.
Minimum Education, Experience, Credentials and Licenses Required:
Has or is or can become eligible for an Administrative Services Credential, and either a Special Education, Clinical Services or Psych Credential; and preference for a minimum of 5 years’ experience in serving special education students and/or 3 years school site administration.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Regular physical requirements: Repetitive sitting, standing, walking, talking, listening, operation of technology such as computers or other appropriate devices. Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.
Knowledge Of:
State and Federal laws, regulations, and guidelines, especially IDEA, FAPE, conflict resolution, due process, etc.
Process of and requirements for completing IEPs.
Applicable board policies.
Inclusionary practices, such as Universal Design for Learning.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.
Budgets and monitoring.
Management and support of personnel.
Ability To:
Establish and maintain positive, cooperative relationships with school personnel, parents, students, community service agencies and SELPA. Provide professional communication in the English language, both orally and in writing. Meet schedules and timelines. Adapt to stressful situations and make decisions to deescalate issues. Use tact, patience and courtesy when dealing with people. Work independently with appropriate direction. Understand and be sensitive to the challenges special needs students and families face in their educational journey.
Essential Duties:
• Collaborates with school principals, district administrators, therapists and school special education teachers for the purpose of implementing and maintaining services and/or programs. Sets staffing levels for school special education programs for providing services with fiscal efficiency.
• Assists assigned staff in evaluating student progress, consistent with district policy and philosophy, keeping appropriate records, preparing appropriate student reports, and effectively communicating with students, supervisors, and parents.
• Works to establish and maintain open lines of communication with students, parents, teachers, classified staff, and site and district administrators.
• Coordinates services with Child Find referrals.
• Ensures that teachers and principals are trained in procedural safeguards.
• Coordinates services for out of school placement.
• As needed, attends IEP meetings to support special education personnel, administrators, and families.
• Provides professional development for staff to develop, write, and monitor compliant IEPs (Individual Education Plans) for all qualified Special Education students.
• Provides professional development in the creation of lesson plans and instructional materials and provide individualized and/or group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students with varying abilities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Attends SELPA meetings as the district representative.
• Coordinates with SELPA and case carriers for services provided through the SELPA.
• Conducts regular meetings of staff.
• Conducts collaboration meetings with applicable partners and Special Education professional participants.
• Networks with related outside agencies ensuring appropriate comprehensive services for each student with special needs.
• Oversees the selection and requisition of instructional materials and supplies.
• Supports the administration of group-standardized tests.
• Other duties as assigned.
Salary: $136, 345- $150,499 DOE/5 Step Schedule
Reimbursement stipend for relocation expenses available
Required Administrative Credential; and either a Special Education, Clinical Services or Psych Credential
Education: Master’s Degree in Credential Area, Education, or Administration
Preferred Five (5) Years in Special Education Field
Experience: Three (3) Years in Administration
Search Timeline: Open Until Filled
