Director Of Education

Job Title: Director of Education  

Department:  YIT School

Reports To: Chief Program Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

General Purpose of the Job:

This Director of Education is responsible for establishing an academic and therapeutic environment that complies with all relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the operation of a Type I Nonpublic School. NCIA’s Youth in Transition School (YIT) is a nonpublic, full-day special education program for students ages 11-21 with significant barriers such as autism, emotional disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. Approved by the Maryland State Department of Education as a Type I school, YIT offers academic instruction, vocational experiences, clinical services, and behavior support for students pursuing a high school diploma or certificate of completion. YIT provides individualized care to address students’ physical, psychological, intellectual, and social needs, helping them overcome behavior, clinical, and learning difficulties and often achieve academic success for the first time. NCIA’s YIT School primarily serves Baltimore County, Baltimore City, and Prince George’s County, but students attend from school districts across Maryland. The overarching goal is to develop and implement an educational program that stresses academic achievement, development of appropriate behavior, social/emotional growth, and employment skills for students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Instructional Leadership:

1. Oversees operational management of Therapeutic non-public school, including fiscal, personnel, and strategic planning.

2. Analyze and utilize all assessment data to identify program strengths and weaknesses. Develop and implement plans to address areas of weakness. 

3. Motivates and guides staff regarding effective teaching and behavior management strategies.

4. Develop and oversee a school-wide vocational program.

5. Determines priorities based on assessed critical needs, expertise, timelines, and resources (financial and human).

6. Represent the school at other agency and community meetings.

7. Provides educational expertise and support to other programs and departments within the organization.

8. Evaluate the effectiveness of all staff members. 

9. Provide staff development opportunities as required.

10. Monitors professional staff licensure and certification status.

11. Maintain compliance with all applicable COMAR regulations.

Non-Essential:

1.  Participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings as needed.  Assures that all necessary records and other legally required documents are completed and processed by staff as required.

Business Management:

1. Maintains fiscal accountability system and manages financial resources in the most cost-effective manner.
2. Develop and monitor a financial plan (budget) based on program/service priorities and financial capabilities in collaboration with the CFO.
3. Responsible for the enrollment and retention goals for the school.
4. Organizes and involves teaching staff in monitoring and developing a financial plan for instructional needs.
5. Oversees and implements systems to
   1. Inspect buildings and grounds daily to manage facility maintenance and report maintenance needs to the Facilities.
   2. Manage purchasing and inventory control (i.e. textbooks, electronic devices).
   3. Ensure application of state school board regulations to business management decisions.

Interpersonal Relationships:

1. Demonstrates effective written communication skills with all publics.
2. Utilizes a process for involving school staff in decision-making activities, including faculty meetings.  Facilitates discussions effectively and productively.
3. Actively involved with the school population. Proactively interacts with and engages students.
4. Attends and participates in outreach activities to gain school exposure.
5. Effectively manage conflict situations.
6. Keep the CPO/OST informed of school activities and problems.

Professional Development

1. Attend workshops, institutes, courses, and conferences relevant to continuing professional development and management of the school's programs.
2. Demonstrates knowledge of current professional literature and materials, including effective school research.
3. Extends opportunities for development to school staff.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Direct supervision of school administrative staff.

Indirect supervision of teachers, support staff, and related service providers

Education and/or Experience:

• Must hold a special education teaching license from the state of Maryland OR be eligible by the time of hire. Maryland state certification in administration is preferred.
• Must have a minimum of three years of successful classroom[AC1]  teaching experience.
• Must have at least five years of experience in a nonpublic school setting. 
• Experience in an urban educational setting is preferred.
• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Special Education preferred.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Must have exceptional interpersonal skills as he/she must interact with a wide variety of personalities every day.
• Must be flexible, as the day will never be predictable.
• Must possess good public speaking skills, as they may sometimes be called upon to conduct staff training sessions.
• Must have excellent time-management and organizational skills to effectively perform all duties.
• A strong sense of accountability for special education student achievement.
• A belief that all students should be held to high academic standards.
• The ability to communicate effectively with parents.
• Demonstrated professionalism and responsibility and a strong work ethic.
• Knowledge of teaching methods, curriculum, and education programs designed for students with learning, physical, and behavioral disabilities.
• Experience with Smart Board, iPad, and other technology learning tools.
• Knowledge of medical and psychosocial issues related to individuals with learning, developmental, and/or emotional disabilities.
• A positive, high-energy attitude and a drive for personal excellence.
• Proficient computer skills (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Behaves in an ethical manner; demonstrates an understanding of own professional limitations; continues professional development by keeping abreast of current trends; keeps appointments and follows up with commitments; adheres to established regulations, policies, rules, and laws; and commends respect by example in appearance, manners, behavior, and language.

Physical Demands:

• Light duty; mostly sedentary, some walking, occasional lifting to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

• A mix of office environment and school.
• Some exposure to weather during travel to and from locations.
• Moderate noise (examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic).

I understand that the above information on this description has been designated to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee with this job title. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. This is not an all-inclusive job description, therefore, management has the right to assign or reassign schedules, duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.