Job Description

BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Director of Special Education LOCATION: Central Administration SUPERVISOR: Chief Academic Officer
JOB SUMMARY: Provides vision, leadership, direction, and coordination of the district\'s special education supports and services. Plans, develops, and implements systems, policies, procedures and practices to ensure effective and responsive services to all students within the Benton Harbor Area Schools.
Qualifications:

• Full or Temporary approval from the state of Michigan as a director of special education.
  • A master\'s degree or higher.
  • Full approval in at least 1 area of special education.
  • Three years of successful professional practice or administrative experience in special education, or a combination of practice and experience.
  • Verification from a college or university approved for the preparation of special education directors.
  • (For Full approval) Thirty semester or equivalent hours of graduate credit and a successful 200-clock- hour practicum in special education administration. Graduate credit shall be earned in a college or university whose program has been approved by the state board of education and shall be distributed appropriately to assure knowledge and competency as related to special education in all of the following areas:
    • Program development and evaluation.
    • Personnel staffing, supervision, and evaluation.
    • Verbal and written communication.
    • Leadership of professional development.
    • Budget development and fiscal reporting.
    • Fostering parental, family, and community involvement.
    • Consultation and collaboration.
    • Dispute resolution.
    • Data-based decision-making.
    • Conflict management.
    • Legal and ethical issues.
  • (For Temporary approval) Twelve semester or equivalent hours of graduate credit in special education administration. Graduate credit shall be earned in a college or university whose program has been approved by the state board of education.
    • Continuation of temporary approval is dependent upon the satisfactory completion of not less than 6 semester or equivalent hours of required credit toward full approval before the beginning of the next school year.
    • Any person who has completed all program requirements in effect before the effective date of these rules shall be eligible for full approval as a director of special education.
• Must be able to meet and interact with employees and parents/guardians in routine situations, which require tact, discretion, and courtesy.
• Maintain communication and working relationship with special education personnel in the county.
• Requires conscientious attention to detail and commitment to accuracy for local, state, and federal reporting.
• Ability to set priorities, work well under pressure and work without direction.

• Develop Systems, Policies, Procedures, and Practices - Create training manuals, handbooks, companion documents, and any other written materials to communicate to the staff and district expectations, procedures, practices, and responsibilities associated with special education.
• Staff Management - Provide staff with professional development and clear expectations. Evaluate staff and ensure staff complete job duties.
• Caseload Management - Develop and maintain caseloads in accordance with state and federal guidelines and laws.
• Program Evaluation - Ensure that special education programs and services meet the needs of students with IEPs. Review curriculum and program effectiveness.
• Develop and Manage Special Education Budget - Determine needs and financial costs associated with needs. Approve expenditures.
• Manage Timeliness of Special Education Documents - Review and make sure paperwork (REEDs/IEPs/MDRs/Permission to Place, etc\xe2\x80\xa6) is closed/published within timelines.
• Facilitate Special Education Meetings - Attend and lead out in REEDs, IEPs, MDRs, etc\xe2\x80\xa6 and ensure appropriate distribution of paperwork.
• Develop and Organize Professional Development - Ensure staff are trained on everything necessary for job performance and compliance. Review practices to guide future professional development.
• Maintain Discipline Protocols - Oversee the provision of FAPE and due process rights.
• District Point Person for State Monitoring of Special Education - Facilitate the completion of any corrective action requirements due to findings from complaints or monitoring from the Michigan Department of Education and the Office of Special Education.
• Medicaid - Ensure that staff understand their responsibilities with regard to Medicaid billing and are completing them.
• Maintain Positive Relationships with Parents and the Community - Sustain open communication with parents and community members and address needs in a professional and timely manner.
• Support Administrators - Be able to problem solve and provide solutions to complex issues that may arise with students with IEPs at the building level. Provide any necessary training administrators may need to oversee or support special education in their building.
• Maintain Communication with all Staff - Return phone calls and emails in a timely manner and be available to answer questions and solve problems with any school employee.
• Professional Conduct - Attend work regularly and is punctual. Maintains confidentiality. Is tactful and cooperative.
• Other Duties as Assigned

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER