REPORTS: Director of Special Education | DEPARTMENT: Educational Services | CLASSIFICATION: Management | SALARY: Range 28

BASIC FUNCTION:

Consults with school staffs, parents, and outside agencies regarding educational and social/emotional development of individuals (birth to 21 years); identifies individuals with exceptional needs and prescribes all Federal-State Guidelines.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

Assists school staffs with methods and techniques to facilitate student learning. (E)

Consults with parents in the understanding of learning disabilities. (E)

Collaborates with community agencies as needed such as probation departments, mental health groups, and welfare departments that are serving pupils in the district. (E)

Assesses, determines eligibility, and recommends intervention for students with learning and/or behavioral disabilities, and appropriate placement for students with learning and/or behavioral disabilities. Works with IEP team to determine appropriate placement for students with learning and/or behavioral disabilities. Assists staff with the effective implementation of the IEP. (E)

Counsels individuals to enhance social/emotional development by increasing self-awareness, social interaction skills and acceptance of responsibility for his/her own behavior. (E)

Coordinates and evaluates the functions of special education programs as assigned. (E)

Assists in the research, design, and modification of special education and departmental programs.

Monitors annual and triennial reviews on all individuals attending special education programs. (E)

Implements legislation (Federal and State) pertaining to special education and maintains all legally required records. (E)

Conducts in-service training for professional development as assigned by the Director of support staff.

Participates in intra/inter-district committees that design program curriculum and develops guidelines pertaining to the educational process.

Performs other duties as assigned.

(E) = ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education, Experience, Licenses, and other requirements:

All courses needed to meet Pupil Personnel Credential requirements.

Classroom teaching or psychometrics desirable.

Pupil Personnel Services Credential with authorization in Psychology.

Employment eligibility that may include fingerprints, health (TB), and/or other employment clearance.

Must have valid California driver’s license and automobile available for use. Must be willing to attend evening, night, and weekend meetings.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

-Federal, state and local regulations including Civil Rights legislation relating to regular education, special education testing, confidentiality, school records, attendance, program eligibility and suspension/expulsion;
-Applicable and appropriate psychological and achievement appraisal instruments, techniques and procedures;
-Developmental, social/emotional and behavioral characteristics of pre-school and school age students;
-Cultural diversity of the students in the district;
-Evaluation and research techniques, strategies and procedures;
-Current theories and methodologies of effective family instructional intervention and behavior modification;
-Curriculum and instruction programs proven to be beneficial to students with special learning needs;
-Computer programs applicable to assessment.

Ability to:

-Interact with site and district personnel, parents, social service and youth service agencies to resolve student problems and concerns;
- Effectively deal with site and District personnel, parents, social service and youth service agencies in resolving student problems and concerns;
- Effectively participate in the planning and implementation of individual educational plans;
- Communicate effectively in oral and written form, ensuring understandable and thorough communication;
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions with minimal accountability controls;
- Establish and maintain effective organizational, public and community relationships;
- Work positively and effectively with other staff;
- Operate computer and computer programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environment:

- School sites.
- Demanding timelines.
- Subject to driving to a variety of locations to conduct work during day and evening hours.
- Subject to frequent interruptions and extensive contact with students, staff, parents, and the public.
- Indoor and outdoor environment.

Physical Demands:

- Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching, and reaching to retrieve and maintain files and records.
- Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally.
- Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment, computer keyboard, and other equipment necessary to complete the required duties.
- Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone.
- Visual ability to read, and to prepare/process documents and to monitor various services and personnel.
- Sitting for extended periods.
- Standing for extended periods.
- Walking over rough or uneven surfaces.
- Climbing, occasional use of stepladders.
- Physical activity may be required, which could include moderate lifting.

Hazards:

- Extended viewing of computer monitor.
- Working around and with office equipment having moving parts.
- May be exposed to contact with uncooperative or abusive individuals.
- Exposure to contact with blood or body fluids.