Director, Special Education

DeKalb County School District
Position Specification
Title: Director, Special Education

 DIVISION: Curriculum & Instruction                                                                                GRADE: 132
 DEPARTMENT: Exceptional Education                                                                                 WORKDAYS: 246
 REPORTS TO: Exec. Director, Exceptional Education                                                                 FLSA STATUS: Exempt
 RETIREMENT: Teachers Retirement System                                                                            APPROVED (HR): October 1, 2021


                                                                 General Statement of Job
Under general supervision, plans, develops, directs, implements, and monitors all programs and
procedures relative to local, state, and federal special education laws and regulations.

                                                      Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
The following duties are representative for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not
exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.
Tasks and responsibilities will be in concurrence with implementing the Strategic Plan Other duties may be
required and assigned.

        •      Provides leadership and support to principals on Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
               (IDEA) rules and regulations related to Individualized Education Programs (IEP), due
               process, discipline, and confidentiality
        •      Participates in mediation sessions, due process hearings, and litigation proceedings;
               serves on various district-wide committees
        •      Provides appropriate staff development opportunities for teachers and administrators
               concerning all aspects of special education services and IDEA
        •      Directly supervises certified and classified personnel
        •      Collaborates with parents, administrators, and district staff to address issues related to
               students with disabilities
        •      Develops, implements, and monitors a continuous plan for improving student
               achievement for students enrolled in special education programs
        •      Directs the resolution of complaints made to the Georgia Department of Education
               through due process hearings and mediations
        •      Directs the preparation of state and federal reports, in compliance with federal, state, and
               local mandates. Monitors the implementation of the District Strategic Plan and
               Consolidated LEA Improvement Plan (CLIP)
        •      Corresponds with private school systems, parent advocacy groups and private evaluators
               regarding student issues
        •      Performs other duties as assigned




Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the
general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills
required of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human Resources
will always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.


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                                                                                                                                        Director, Special Education

Education and/or Experience
Master’s degree in Special Education, Education Administration, Curriculum Development,
Psychology, or closely related area from a Professional Standards Commission approved accredited
college or university is required.
Minimum five (5) years previous work experience with demonstrated successful advancement
through the teaching and/or school or school system administrative hierarchy required.

Certificates, Licenses, Permits: Valid Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved
certificate in educational leadership at level L-5, NL-5, PL-6 or above required. If a level L-5, NL-5, PL-
6, or above certificate is not held, the individual must be eligible for the NPL certificate in educational
leadership or Support Personnel License from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (HR
applies for SPL upon hire)
Valid Professional Standards Commission approved director of special education endorsement in
addition to L-5 certificate acceptable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of administration; supervision; research-based curriculum; instructional strategies;
exceptional education laws, rules and procedures; gifted models; continuous improvement
monitoring; due process/parental rights; child development; educational principles and approaches
pertinent to children with autism, traumatic brain injuries, children with various intellectual and
learning disabilities, special needs preschool children, visual, hearing and orthopedically impaired
children, children with speech/language impairments, and children with emotional and behavioral
disorders
Skill in oral, written and interpersonal communication, including communications for sight, hearing
and speech impaired; establishing and/or facilitating individualized and group special education,
vocational and community skills training programs, programs for the disabled, speech and language
programs and teacher support programs; educational approaches for planning and implementation
of intervention programs for children and families; writing and delivering an effective presentation;
organization; and mediation.
Ability to understand and interpret a wide variety of assessment tests relative to intellectual,
emotional, and physical abilities and disabilities; provide individual and group instruction in the
classroom and specialized facilities; enhance student competence; incorporate formal and informal
outside resources into educational processes; maintain confidential information; use relevant
computer applications, prioritize assignments; and manage multiple tasks simultaneously

ADA Requirements:
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force
frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move
objects, including the human body.
Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the
whole hand or arm as in handling.
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which one
must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the
general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills
required of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human Resources
will always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.


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                                                                                                                                        Director, Special Education

Hearing: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine
discrimination in sounds, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts with or without
correction.
Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Performance Factors:
Interaction with Others: Ability to maintain, on a regular and consistent basis, relationships that are
not characterized by high levels of hostility, social withdrawal, or failure to communicate. Ability to
be flexible relative to daily routines. Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the differences among
diverse populations.
Concentration: Ability to maintain workflow and thought processes in the presence of frequent
distractions. Ability to ignore irrelevant sights or sounds and intrusive thoughts or stimuli. Ability to
manage multiple tasks simultaneously with only few or no errors.
Stressful Circumstances: Ability to produce quality work when short or unexpected deadlines are
presented. Ability to adjust work processes without incident when new and unexpected directions
are given relative to a project that may be in process. Ability to maintain composure and not
compound a situation when interacting with persons who may be angry, demanding or otherwise less
than polite.
Independent Judgment: Ability to complete work tasks without being given precise directions relative
to work steps or the final project.
Organizational Skills: Ability to establish priorities; simultaneously manage multiple tasks; and
deliver a quality work product by a designated deadline.
Decision Making: Ability to make appropriate business decisions.
Attention to Detail: Ability to recognize errors or layout features that detract from the physical
attractiveness or accuracy of a work product.
Public Contact: Ability to communicate professionally and effectively, both verbally and in writing,
with superiors, colleagues, and other individuals within and external to the school system. Ability to
demonstrate professionalism while interacting with others and to maintain constructive working
relationships.
Attendance and Dependability: Ability to be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time
and to seldom be absent from work. Ability to complete work in a timely, accurate manner and to
be conscientious about work performance.




Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the
general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills
required of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human Resources
will always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.


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