POSITION PURPOSE:
Provide supervision of special programs teams to develop and implement behavioral, academic, and functional programming that supports students with significant cognitive or behavioral disabilities in accessing their education in the least restrictive environment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Provide leadership, training, and ongoing support to special programs staff in areas such as due process, behavior management, and individualized student programming.
- Foster a positive school culture through collaboration, clear communication, and creative problem-solving with staff and leadership teams.
- Research, share, and apply evidence-based practices in instruction and behavior intervention; coordinate professional development opportunities to support program growth and implementation.
- Lead the assessment and strategic response to school-wide behavioral needs, including the development and implementation of targeted initiatives, staff training, and support structures for students with significant challenges.
- Guide IEP teams in the development and implementation of behavior intervention plans, including data collection methods and interpreting behavioral data to inform decision-making.
- Coordinate and lead the Tiered Support Team (TST) process, reviewing referrals and facilitating meetings to support student success.
- Collaborate with the Dean of Students and leadership team on behavior and discipline matters, ensuring proper documentation, appropriate responses, and preventative programming aligned with student needs and placement considerations.
- Ensure the consistent and faithful implementation of positive behavior support plans and programming within all areas of special programs.
- Maintain positive, professional relationships and use appropriate verbal, nonverbal and written communication with all individuals.
- Regular, prompt attendance
SUPERVISORY:
- Supervise special programs staff to ensure effective performance and collaboration, including:
- Monitor staff attendance and punctuality.
- Delegate workloads and assignments appropriately to support program goals.
- Provide guidance and support to ensure timely and accurate completion of due process requirements.
- Conduct staff evaluations and provide feedback on job performance.
- Lead the training and onboarding process for new special programs staff to ensure a strong understanding of roles, responsibilities, and procedures.
- Support licensed staff expectations of educational assistants.
- Support licensed staff in working with parents
- Communicate concerns and problems to the Director of Special Education and Site Director/Principal and seek clarification when needed.
OTHER POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as the LEA Representative at IEP meetings, ensuring compliance and collaboration.
- Approve purchase requests and monitor department budgets to ensure responsible resource allocation.
- Approve programming decisions, staff schedules, and space usage in coordination with the Building Leadership Team.
- Participate in new student enrollment meetings and collaborate with the Site Director/Principal and Special Education Coordinator to make informed placement and programming recommendations.
- Collaborate with the Special Education Coordinator to assess the needs of various case manager roles and identify appropriate supports based on their responsibilities.
- Partner with the Tiered Support Team to develop and reinforce PBIS behavior expectations across all school environments.
- Lead special programs staff meetings to promote communication, alignment, and professional growth.
- Address concerns through appropriate channels, maintaining professionalism and confidentiality at all times.
- Actively participate as a member of the Building Leadership Team and the Building Crisis Team.
- Collaborate with the Special Education Coordinator to coordinate, facilitate and supervise Extended School Year (ESY) services.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of special programs and the school community.
COMPETENCIES:
- Strong organizational skills
- Highly skilled in effective and professional communication
- Experience in secondary level and transition-age students on the autism spectrum
- Strong understanding of children’s mental health, behavioral theory and ASD
- Appropriately manage confidential information
- Self starter
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices
- Collection, analysis, and organization of data. Experience with data based decision making.
$55,000-$75,000 depending on education and experience; 197 duty days
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
MENTAL DEMANDS:
The mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. (stress management, self regulation
