Director of Special Education

Position Type:
Administration (Licensed)

Date Posted:
11/1/2024

Location:
T. F. District 215
(High-Needs School)

Date Available:
07/01/2025

Closing Date:
Open until filled

Job/FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports to: Assistant Superintendent of Student Services & Equity

Position Summary: The Director of Special Education will provide District-wide special education department support and leadership that promotes and positively influences school and district student achievement.

General purpose: Strategic planning; coordinate educational services; financial management; problem resolution.

Role qualifications:

• Must hold a current Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with
  • Director of Special Education endorsement AND
  • Learning Behavior Specialist endorsement OR
  • School Service Personnel endorsement
• Must have earned a master's degree or equivalent in an area of special education awarded by a regionally accredited institution of higher education
• Must have at least least three years' full-time experience as a special education teacher, a speech-language pathologist, a school social worker, or a school psychologist
• A history of proficient and/or excellent performance evaluation ratings
• Strong knowledge of specially designed instruction and effective co-teaching models
• Strong knowledge of special education regulations and compliance requirements

Position Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with building leadership to streamline special education processes.
• Provide leadership and guidance in IEP implementation and development.
• Conduct department meetings and submit minutes to Assistant Superintendent of Student Services & Equity.
• Coordinate and disseminate information related to compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct performance evaluations of special education teachers and paraprofessionals.
• Works collegially with staff and administration.
• Ensure the implementation of specially designed instructional and best practices that meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Evaluate and increase the effectiveness of co-teaching models.
• Facilitate the special education pre-referral process.
• Assist in ensuring special education compliance.
• Work collaboratively with Assistant Principals of Instruction and Student Services Coordinators in matters related to special education scheduling.
• Develop and facilitate professional learning for paraprofessionals and special education teachers.
• Provide leadership and coordination of curricular development, implementation, and enhancement in the area of special education.
• Create and monitor common expectations for case management.
• Facilitate professional development for the department.
• Provide informed feedback concerning curriculum implementation.
• Submit documentation as required to support the departmental goals or duties as assigned.
• Facilitate IEP meetings as needed.
• Work collaboratively with all members of the school community.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned by the Assistant Superintendent.

Essential skills and experience:

• Leadership: demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others
• Planning: ability to think ahead and plan over a one- to two-year time span
• Management: ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
• Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and a functional level
• Excellent collaboration and consultation skills to support special education teachers in implementing research-based instructional strategies
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Commitment to education and District values
• Must possess a valid driver's license for travel between school campuses
• On-call availability

Reporting to this position: Student Services Coordinators

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Terms of Employment:

• 12-month work year
• Salary is based on education and experience, as approved by the Board of Education
• Teachers Retirement System of Illinois (TRS) pension
• Vacation, sick, and personal days
• Generous fringe benefits as provided by the current Local #683 Agreement
• Annual performance evaluation