Director - Department of Special Education

Position Details

POSITION (S): Director - Department of Special Education REQUIREMENTS: Master's Degree or Doctorate in Social Work, Psychology, Learning Disabilities Teacher, or Special Education Instruction Valid New Jersey Certificate in one of the above areas. Valid New Jersey Certificate of eligibility as Chief School Administrator 10 years of successful educational experience with at least 5 years in an administrative/supervisory capacity Such alternative to the above qualifications as appropriate and acceptable. REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools or designee SUPERVISES: Supervisors, Child Study Teams, and staff members assigned to the Special Education Department and/or delivery of services to SWD JOB GOAL: To provide leadership and supervision in developing and monitoring Special Education Programs, Services and IDEA Compliance within the district. Oversight of Non-public School SWD funding and delivery of determined services. PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES: Direct and ensure district-wide compliance with IDEA, N.J.A.C. 6A:14, Section 504, and state/federal mandates regarding FAPE in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of specialized instructional programs, curriculum accommodations, and evidence-based interventions across all K�12 and preschool programs. Manage all Special Education due process petitions, NJDOE mediation, complaint investigations, and resolution meetings in coordination with district legal counsel. Oversee the preparation and management of the Special Education budget, including local funds, IDEA Consolidated Grant funding, Non-Public allocations, and Extraordinary Aid (EXAID) claims Supervise and evaluate Child Study Teams (CST), Special Education Supervisors, Speech-Language Pathologists, Related Services staff, and Special Education Teachers in accordance with NJ Achieve requirements. Conferring with and advising the principals schools on matters pertaining to pupils, classes, best placement district-wide, and students needs within the purview of the Department of Special Education. Making the final determination on Special Education Program placements and assignments based on IDEA regulations. Processing and approving of referrals for students eligible for special education who may require home instruction. Maintaining regular contact with outside agencies concerning students with disabilities. Serving as the liaison between the DCP&P and other agencies on placement of pupils in special programs or in residential schools, either by their own initiative or by order of the Hudson County Juvenile Court. Recommending payment of tuition for pupils placed in out of district, private schools, and oversight of their educational delivery of services to eligible students. Maintaining contact and receiving reports on the progress of pupils placed in out-of district facilities and certifying their attendance for the payment of monthly tuition Preparing and sending to the NJ SLED and Office of the County Superintendent of Schools, data, forms, reports, as necessary. Assisting the Administrators of Human Resources in locating, interviewing and recommending candidates for positions in the Department of Special Education, such as, Teachers, Child Study Team Members, Supervisors of Special Education and Paraprofessionals. Coordinating the speech-language programs for all schools, assigning speech language specialist/speech pathologists to schools, overseeing their work and maintenance of records. Attending County and State meetings regarding special education activities including the active participation in County Roundtable, NJASA and NJAPSA. Assessing unmet needs of Students with Disabilities and reporting gaps in services to the Superintendent of Schools. Preparing the Special Education Plan for the education of all Students with Disabilities, applications for PL. 94-142 flow-through funds as well as support funding for special projects, End of the Year Reports and all other reports required by the State Department of Education. Preparing recommendations for budget purposes. Development of and monitoring of all instructional programs and curriculum in accordance with the NJ Student Learning Standards to meet the needs of the JCPS SWDs. Liaison with local charter schools in matters related to SWD and shared services. Liaison with the Department of Transportation to guarantee transportation services for SWD consistent with IEP mandates. Assignment of and monitoring of individual aides and nursing personnel as required under the IEP Process. Maintaining an open dialogue with all non-public schools within JCPS pertaining to SWD Advises and monitors district SEPAG. In consultation with the CST and supervisors, review the validity of Out-of-district referrals and approve eventual placement. Under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools, develop the agenda for and conduct the Special Education Board Sub-committee Meeting Coordinate University and College Internship Programs for Psychologists, School Social Workers, LDTCs, and Speech Pathologist while working in concert with local institutes of higher education and the Human Resources Department. Create and foster opportunities for community partnership to enhance the educational programs and funding opportunities for SWD. Guarantee the implementation of the Multi-tiered System of Support commensurate with IDEA and State guidelines. Serve as a member of the Superintendent of Schools' Leadership Committee Any other appropriate activities as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools. SALARY/STIPEND: As Per Contractual Agreement LOCATION: Central Office, 346 Claremont Avenue, Jersey City NJ STARTING DATE: To Be Announced