Spartanburg School District Two                                                  

TITLE:  Director of Special Services 

FLSA:   Exempt

General Summary

Under limited direction, plans, develops, and implement special education and special services for the school district. The Director of Special Services assists the Superintendent in strategic planning, policy development, and implementation of objectives regarding special services. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overseeing all aspects of Special Services, Student Mental Health, School Counseling, School Health Services, Section 504, Speech, Hearing, MTSS, and Home Instruction.

REPORTS TO

Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services and Superintendent

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directs, plans, coordinates, and implements a comprehensive special services program for the school district in support of the district's strategic goals and operational/educational needs.
• Supervises Special Services school and district staff, which involves instructing, assigning and reviewing work, planning, allocating personnel, acting on employee problems, and recommending promotions and disciplinary action(s).
• Ensures school and district compliance with protocols, procedures, and record-keeping for student IEPs, 504 plans, MTSS, and other pertinent records and student data.
• Prepares required records and forms promptly.
• Serves as the district's administrative personnel consultant and advisor regarding curriculum and other programs for students with special needs.
• Represents the district on regional, state, and national councils or committees concerned with special services.
• Maintains pertinent data on each program for students with disabilities and makes reports to the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, the district Superintendent, the State Department of Education, and other appropriate persons or agencies as required.
• Coordinates contracted services for students' education in other district programs, multi-district programs, private programs, or other facilities.
• Keeps abreast of availability of funds (federal or otherwise) for projects and develops or assists in developing project proposals needed to obtain grants.
• Develops a budget for Special Service programs for the district in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer and presents it to the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Superintendent.
• Assumes responsibility for keeping the district in compliance with the state and federal regulations regarding programs for people with disabilities and keeps appropriate school personnel informed of situations as they occur.
• Supervises various types of screening programs dealing with disabled students, which may be required by the district or the State Department of Education.
• Supervises the services of the school psychologists and Speech Language Professionals (SLP) (district and contract employees).
• Coordinates the homebound instructional program by authorizing eligibility for service and payment for services rendered.
• Coordinates the services of the school nurses and related services of physical and occupational therapy.
• Coordinates Student Mental Health and School Counseling services for the schools in the district.
• Assists building-level administrators with implementing special services programs in each school.
• Interprets the philosophy and practices of the Special Services department to administrators, staff, and the public at large.
• Participates in professional meetings and educational conferences.
• Fosters positive interactions with parents, colleagues, administrators, psychologists, nurses, SLPs, school counselors, agency personnel, etc.
• Assists with staff development programming, planning, and training for special needs students.
• Interprets and formulates pertinent policy and procedures in response to legislation and provides related advice to administrators, employees, and staff; recommends new or revised policies and procedures, as warranted.
• Performs other related duties as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises and provides leadership for Special Services Department and building-level administrators.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

The Director of Special Services must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This position's requirements represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Valid South Carolina Special Education Certification preferred
• Master's Degree or higher preferred 
• Minimum five (5) years of successful teaching experience and/or school administration experience

Knowledge:

• Knowledgeable of all state and federal regulations and compliance requirements applicable to special education.  
• Knowledge of the records, forms, and reports that must be prepared and maintained.  
• Knowledge of proper maintenance of equipment, materials, and supplies used in daily activities.  
• Has thorough knowledge of all aspects of special education, including identification, evaluation, placement, etc.  
• Knowledgeable in planning and formulating budgets and monitoring related expenditures. Basic legal knowledge about the education of disabled students.  
• Knowledge of grants and state-mandated programs related to training for certificated district personnel.  
• Keeps abreast of changes in policy, standards, procedures, and regulations pertinent to Special Services.

Skills/Effort:

• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply state and federal regulations related to special education.  
• Ability to operate general office equipment during daily activities.   
• Ability to effectively apply knowledge of special education to programs, services, and curricula.  
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
• Advanced management, organizational, human relations, communications, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to instruct others through explanation, demonstration, supervised practice, and make recommendations based on technical disciplines.  
• Ability to prepare and monitor the department budget. Ability to complete, process, and maintain all required records, reports, and confidential personnel information. 
• Ability to maintain a collaborative environment when faced with individuals in crisis.

Working Conditions:

The position requires working in an office environment with no exposure to environmental conditions. Physical demands are restricted to general office activities requiring movement and lifting items weighing up to ten pounds. Routine local travel and occasional overnight travel are required. The position requires the ability to work under a degree of stress related to duties that require considerable attention and meeting deadlines. 

Duties of the job require frequent use of a computer monitor and related equipment.

SALARY:

District Administrative Salary Schedule

FILING DEADLINE:

Open Until Filled

Disclaimer Statement:

This job description is not intended as a complete listing of job duties. The incumbent is responsible for the performance of other related duties as assigned/required.

Spartanburg School District Two believes it has the obligation to provide the best administrative and supervisory personnel available for the district regardless of race, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions), color, disability, age (40 or older), genetic information, national origin, or any other applicable status protected by local, state, or federal law.