Job Overview

The Director of Special Education is a division leader responsible for the strategic direction, organization, development and implementation of high-quality specially designed instruction and services for students with disabilities in all LCPS schools and related professional development for staff.

Roles and Responsibilities

The following information is intended to describe the overall nature and scope of the work being performed. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; work may differ and other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate.

• Supervises and evaluates activities of special education administrators including strategic planning and coordination of respective areas and ensures accountability for program implementation for students with disabilities, staff support and compliance with regulations and procedures.
• Interprets federal, state and local laws, regulations and procedures related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Code of Virginia; provides guidance and support to school administrators and direction to staff regarding the implementation of federal and state regulations; ensures accountability for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
• Provides oversight and strategic direction for special education program development and related professional development for school staff on special education effective practices with an instructional focus and the accurate implementation of the IDEA; engages in strategic planning of program goals and the budget for the Office of Special Education and related grants and administers the budgets of assigned areas; responsible for staffing projections and staffing allocations to individual schools in accordance with staffing standards, fiscal allocations and program efficiencies.
• Analyzes data regarding student performance, staffing, enrollment growth and other important trends regarding students with disabilities; creates comprehensive reports/analyses for the Superintendent and School Board with relevant data; develops, implements and monitors a data-based continuous improvement plan for improving student achievement for students with disabilities.
• Conducts staff meetings and works with special education administrators to coordinate program activities related to responsibilities for students, parents and school staff; coordinates services and cross-functional teams with other offices within Student Services and the Departments of Instruction, Human Resources and Talent Development, and Support Services; assists in the interview process of new personnel; conducts short-term and long-range strategic planning; approves and monitors contracted services agreements; responds to requests for information from the public.
• Collaborates with parents, administrators and school division staff to address issues related to students with disabilities; participates, as the division liaison, in the Special Education Advisory Committee meetings; attends School Board meetings and prepares such reports for the Board and the Virginia Department of Education, as requested; coordinates grant applications relevant to special education and pursues grant funding for special projects.

Qualifications

Below are the minimum qualifications for this job. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are also acceptable.

     Education

     Master’s Degree

     Experience

     Five (5) years of progressive overall education experience in teaching, supervision, administration

     Demonstrated experience in developing and tracking budgets

     Licenses and Certifications

     Holds or is eligible for a Virginia Postgraduate Professional License with an endorsement in one or more areas of Special Education and Administration and Supervision PreK-12

     Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of state and federal statutes, regulations, and rules relating to instruction, curriculum, student learning and ability to advise interested parties of the provisions of the laws
• Ability to maintain accurate records and to meet deadlines
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate with individuals of varied cultural and educational backgrounds
• Demonstrated professional characteristics necessary for working effectively with adult learners, large teams, and members of the community

Physical Requirements

The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this job:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly talking, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. The employee must possess normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall and apply certain practices and policies. Frequently sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Reports to: Assistant Superintendent, Student Services

FLSA Status: Exempt

Months/Days/Hours: 12 months/ 248 days/ 8 hours 

Salary Level:  Universal 28

Salary Scale: https://www.lcps.org/compensation

Salary Range: $149,831 - $229,885

Remote Work Eligible:No

Collective Bargaining Unit:Non-Union