Job Description

Position Type: Administrative/Director - Special Education Date Posted: 5/15/2025 Location: Special Education Office Job Title: Director - Special Education Wage/Hour Status: Exempt/At-Will Reports To: Executive Director - Special Education Pay Grade/Days: 107/226 Dept./School: Administration Building Date Revised: May 2025 Primary Purpose: Assist the Executive Director of Special Education in the management and supervision of the district's Special Education program. Oversee and ensure compliance of all Special Education programs (state, federal, and local) to meet provisions of needed services for special needs students and provide appropriate fiscal management of the Special Education budget. Special Knowledge/Skills: Expertise in special education laws and regulations, including IDEA, Section 504, ADA, and state-specific guidelines Strong understanding of IEP development, due process procedures, and compliance requirements Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams, including teachers, therapists, and support staff Skilled in strategic planning, program development, and the implementation of best practices in special education Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with families, educators, and community stakeholders Proficient in conflict resolution and navigating sensitive issues with professionalism and empathy Experience in data-driven decision-making to support student achievement and program improvement Ability to analyze student performance data and use it to tailor interventions and instructional support Strong fiscal management skills, including budgeting, grant oversight, and resource allocation Adept at program evaluation and continuous improvement to enhance service quality and outcomes Committed to equity and inclusive education, with a focus on ensuring access and support for all students Experienced in building partnerships with outside agencies, service providers, and advocacy organizations Qualifications: Education/Certification: Master's Degree or higher, preferably in educational administration or educational leadership Mid-Management or Principal Certification preferred Certification in Special Education preferred Certification as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology or Diagnostician preferred Experience: Three or more years teaching experience Five or more years of Special Education experience (preferred) Major Responsibilities and Duties: Ensure timely assessments for students who have been referred for Special Education evaluation. Manage the Special Education referral process and monitor the ARD recommendations regarding placement and program management for individual students. Implement the policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in the area of Special Education. Implement an education program in coordination with Special Education Liaison for parents and community on various aspects of Special Education law to foster communication, understanding, and trust between the parents/community and school/district personnel. Coordinate with the Executive Director of Special Education to develop and implement specialized curriculum for Special Education programs. Participate in multi-disciplinary and ARD committee meetings, as needed, to ensure the appropriate placement and development of individual education plans for students according to district procedures. Collaborate with the Executive Director of Special Education to obtain and use evaluative findings (including student achievement data) to gauge Special Education program effectiveness. Keep abreast of new information, innovative ideas, and techniques for students with low-incidence disabilities. Plan the necessary time, resources, and materials to support subordinates in accomplishing educational goals. Serve as a district liaison to community and private school agencies to provide services to students, notify parents and students of available services, and connect parents with appropriate services to meet federal Child Find requirements. Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement. Conduct an annual consultation process with private non-profit school officials to ensure timely and meaningful consultation with private school representatives and representative of parents with parentally-placed private school children with disabilities during the design and development of Special Education and related services. Supervise and monitor SHARS implementation to ensure alignment with current local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations. Coordinate with Response to Intervention, and Section 504 to ensure appropriate planning, implementation, and documentation of accommodations and interventions for students served regarding Special Education. Ensure timely input of data into the SPP system. Meet with Diagnosticians, LSSPs, and behavior staff to address referral, assessment, and IEP concerns in a timely manner as well as conduct monthly meetings to elicit feedback, provide learning experiences to improve professional practice, and conduct case studies. Supervise and monitor the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) process districtwide. Supervise and coordinate services administered by Speech Pathologists and other service providers to ensure proper service provision. Assist teachers in organizing workspaces for effective learning in programs that span early childhood to secondary transition. Ensure that curriculum renewal is continuous and responsive to student needs. Ensure that the Special Education department provides service and support to campuses. Assist in planning and conducting workshops and other in-service programs to help raise the level of understanding of low-incidence disabilities. Participate in the recruitment selection, and training of personnel and make sound recommendations relative to personnel placement, assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal. Coordinate with the Executive Director of Special Education to oversee and manage cases that appear headed for litigation to prevent litigation where possible and/or to ensure that the district has the strongest case for litigation by attending IEP meetings and depositions, assisting with responses to interrogatories, communicating with outside counsel, and other related tasks to ensure the best possible outcome. Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, and teachers concerning vital issues. Participate in professional organizations and serve on community boards. Demonstrate awareness of district-community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs. Articulate the district's mission and goals in the area of Special Education to the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission. Attend District Leadership Team meetings as scheduled to participate in the development of RDA and District Improvement Plans. Perform all other duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise Special Education Coordinators in coordination with The Executive Director of Special Education. Supervise Licensed Specialists in School Psychology, Education Diagnosticians, Speech Therapists, Related Services staff, and Behavior Support staff in coordination with the Executive Director of Special Education and Special Education Coordinators as assigned. Supervise Special Education SHARS/Special Fund Administrator Supervise Special Education administrative support staff as assigned. Working Conditions: Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Maintain emotional control under stress, work with frequent interruptions. Tight timeline pressures; hectic pace; working on several projects at once; working with a diverse population. Frequent district-wide travel and occasional statewide travel; occasional prolonged and irregular hours. Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable. Non Discrimination Statement The Waco Independent School District is an equal opportunity educational provider and employer who does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information or non-proficiency in English language skills in educational programs or activities that it operates or in employment matters. The District is required by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act; and school board policy not to discriminate in such a manner. For information about your rights or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX, please email titleixcoordinator@wacoisd.org or contact Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at 254-755-9410 or Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Support at 254-755-9417. For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI and Title VII, as amended, contact the Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at 254-755-9410. For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, contact Waco ISD Special Education Executive Director at 254-755-9569 or write to P.O. Box 27, Waco, TX, 76703. Waco Independent School District

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