Special Programs & Services Assistant Director

The NWESD values a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of those we serve.  We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement.

Summary:

The NWESD values a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of those we serve.  We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement.

Summary:

The Assistant Director is responsible for providing leadership and supervision to program administrators, teachers, and support staff in cooperatives serving students with a variety of special needs. The Assistant Director will provide fiscal management; supervision of certificated and classified staff; and leadership for curriculum, assessment, and professional development to enhance student learning within the cooperative programs. The Assistant Director will also provide professional development opportunities and technical assistance to Local Education Agencies (LEAs), community/partner agencies and serve on a variety of OSPI educational teams.

Duties listed are intended to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position. Incumbent(s) may not perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional duties not listed, but within the general scope of the position.

Essential Functions:

• Directly supervises cooperative program coordinators/administrators; and certificated, specialized (such as ESAs), and support staff within the Cooperatives. This may include scheduling, planning and initiating strategies for performance, assigning and directing work, training, administering disciplinary measures, formally reviewing and evaluating performance, recommending salary adjustments, resolving complaints, and recommending the hiring and termination of staff through an equity lens.
• Provides on-going cooperative program support related to program development and review; delivery of professional development; and technical assistance for staff in areas of leadership, behavioral management, curriculum and instruction, and best practices for students with special needs; and works with the program coordinators/administrators to develop operating procedures which ensure compliance with state and federal requirements for special education and to address organizational and liability issues.
• Embodies the principles and practices that lead to success for each child and eliminating the opportunity gap by leading with racial equity.
• Anticipates needed services or programs and pursues cooperative opportunities to benefit districts.
• Provides direction and implementation for Evidence Based Instructional Practices and equitable inclusionary practices.
• Provides leadership that embodies Universal Design practices that eliminates barriers to curriculum access and student engagement.
• Supports implementation of research-based practices to support closing the achievement gap for marginalized youth.
• Provides leadership and technical assistance to LEAs, other related agencies, and the community by responding to administrative and procedural questions regarding the provision of special education services within the cooperative programs including the development of individualized education plans (IEPs) and supporting the Safety Net process.
• Pursues applications for competitive grants pursuant to cooperative program needs.
• Works with program coordinators/managers/administrators, the Special Programs Director, and LEA administrators relative to planning for program development.
• Serves as a liaison with administrators of local and child-youth service agencies.
• Assists program staff, LEA staff, agency staff, etc. in conflict resolution as appropriate.
• Attends staff and IEP meetings.
• Meets with and directs activities of program administrators and staff to ensure program efficiency.
• Effectively manages all resources to maintain and improve the delivery of services to students in cooperative programs. Administers fiscal aspects of cooperative programs which involves the development and monitoring of assigned program budget, tracking and approving expenditures, as well as developing and monitoring inter-district cooperative agreements for all programs.
• Tracks revenues for cooperative programs and manages billings to LEAs and ensures compliance with state and federal fiscal requirements for all cooperative programs.
• Serves and coordinates with other agencies on issues related to special education as a representative for NWESD and LEAs at the direction of the Director.
• Serves on committees to further the services of students with high-risk behaviors and identified special needs, represents SP&S and NWESD within professional groups.
• Collaborates and coordinates with other departments on joint projects including Teaching and Learning and Behavioral Health and Prevention Services.
• Develops and schedules in-service training agendas, determines appropriate topics, maintains proper paperwork for accounting, and evaluates the overall effectiveness of in-service training.
• Leading the NWESD equity work with the administrators and staff of the cooperative programs.
• Conducts in-service training as requested by LEAs or the NWESD SP&S Director.
• Develops training materials and provides peer coaching to special education teachers and staff as requested by LEAs.
• Maintains current knowledge of the WAC, RCW, IDEA, and ESSA related to all aspects of school administration in the state of Washington and provides technical assistance on related topics to school districts and the NWESD community.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of Federal and state regulations and laws governing the conduct of special education programs and cooperative programs (WACs, RCWs, IDEA, and ESSA), including knowledge of individualized education plan (IEP) development and the ability to interpret and explain such in an effective manner.
• Maintains current knowledge of the WAC, RCW, IDEA, and ESSA related to all aspects of school administration in the state of Washington and provides technical assistance on related topics to school districts and the NWESD community.
• Knowledge of Federal and state regulations and laws governing the conduct of special education programs and cooperative programs (WACs, RCWs, IDEA, and ESSA), including knowledge of individualized education plan (IEP) development and the ability to interpret and explain such in an effective manner.
• Knowledge of special education/special programs administration and the application of such in school administrative practices and fiscal management.
• Knowledge of apportionment funding, grants, contracts, and interlocal agreements as they pertain to educational programs.
• Knowledge of educational programming needs and appropriate curricula for students who are emotionally, and behavior disordered, adjudicated, or at-risk, and students with low incidence disabilities including Deaf or hard of hearing, autism, and severely and profoundly disabled.
• Knowledge of school district and cooperative program finance and funding resources and the ability to manage such including proposing and monitoring budgets.
• Knowledge of special education issues and programs including current special education theories and practices, resources, and curriculum issues at an expert level.
• Skill in the application of assistive technology and on-line curriculum resources.
• Public speaking and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of child development, child psychology, and behavior management techniques.
• Knowledge of the State of Washington Teacher Principal Evaluation process, including effective supervisory techniques and demonstrated experience in doing so.
• Knowledge of effective leadership and decision-making techniques.
• Knowledge of Safety Net and special education funding sources and procedures.
• Ability to perform needs analysis and program development for special programs and services.
• Knowledge of best practices in education and ability to apply to program development.
• Ability to train, evaluate, and mentor cooperative program administrators, cooperative program managers, and cooperative program staff.
• Ability to train staff to effectively for work in a program for students with special needs, including but not limited to emotional and behavior disorders, autism, deafness/hearing impairments, specific learning disabilities, and severe and profound disabilities, to achieve social, behavioral and academic success.
• Ability to perform technical writing for training materials with effective, measurable outcomes.
• Ability to organize and follow through on multiple tasks, set priorities, address concerns as they arise, meet deadlines, and plan ahead to meet future needs and goals.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a variety of settings to accomplish program objectives and to function as an effective member of the administrative team.
• Ability to successfully demonstrate human relation skills and customer service.
• Ability to work scheduled evenings and weekend training activities.
• Ability to evaluate effectiveness of programs and the ability to make recommendations for restructuring or for alternative program designs.
• Ability to supervise, motivate, and evaluate a large itinerant staff over a wide geographical area.
• Ability to listen, collaborate, and facilitate dialogue and problem solving among and between staff.
• Ability to anticipate and analyze program needs and services desired by LEAs. Develop cooperative programs and services based upon the needs of students and districts.
• Ability to problem-solve and constructively manage crisis and high stress situations.
• Ability to mediate conflict resolution, facilitate group discussion and consensus.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written format.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, Board members, Superintendent, school district staff and administrators, advocacy groups and parents, legal advisors, OSPI staff, higher education staff/administrators, facility managers, community service providers, and the public.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in School Administration, Special Education, or related field. Administrative certification or Principal Certification required (internship candidates will be considered if all other requirements are met), special education endorsement required. A minimum of five years documented successful employment in education (special education services highly desirable. Combination of administrative certification, and counseling or school psychology certification highly desired. Valid Washington State driver’s license and WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance required.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Work is performed approximately 50% in an office environment and approximately 50% visiting the cooperative program sites, school districts, and affiliate agencies. Travel is also required for workshops, committee representation, and conferences. Lifts and carries a maximum of 40 pounds. Adequate manual and finger dexterity, hearing, speech, and vision are necessary to perform the essential functions of this position.

Hazards: Potential hazards are present based on the fact that the position requires the incumbent to drive a significant amount. In addition, due to the nature of the population of the cooperative programs, hazards include a wide range of anti-social behavior, both verbal and physical.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

It is the policy of the Northwest Educational Service District No. 189 to not discriminate against any person with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, or citizenship or immigration status.