DEFINITION The Principal for Special Education is responsible for ensuring the educational mission is fulfilled for all students by providing the leadership, technical assistance, administration and management needed for school sites. The Principal monitors, supervises and evaluates all employees. The Principal ensures the effective implementation of policies, administrative regulations, procedures, directives and objectives and ensures the provision of all protections and rights afforded special education students and their parents under State and Federal laws, mandates and procedural safeguards. SUPERVISOR: Director for Special Education POSITIONS SUPERVISED Teachers, Instructional Aides, Clerical/Secretarial staff, and Support Personnel. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS To perform a job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in the job description are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES Essential Duties • Provide leadership, management and monitoring needed to ensure that the educational mission is fulfilled for all students. • Implement cost effective and efficient operations of all programs and services. • Manage and maintain systems for accurate student data and required reports. • Responsible for scheduling, notification, conducting and completion of the IEP process in a manner that includes all essential participants. Monitor IEPs for compliance and quality and provide feedback to staff. Conduct on-going staff development in the design and development of meaningful and legally compliant Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that include learning goals aligned with the State standards and/or CAPA blueprints for students with special needs. Attend and serve as the administrative representative in IEP meetings and lead or conduct such meetings and parent conferences. • Monitor instructional programs and provide effective feedback to all staff. Provide assistance and support for delivery of quality articulated instructional programs for students, ensuring the use of research based instructional practices and implementation of effective educational programs. • Plan for and monitor program needs, budgets and expenditures. • Maintain a safe environment for students and staff. • Supervise teachers, instructional assistants and clerical personnel assigned to the program and monitor the consistency of student services provided by itinerant staff assigned to the program. • Evaluate certificated and classified staff. • Review student referral packets and recommend student placement in appropriate classes. • Establish effective communication networks with district and SELPA special education leaders to share program and student profiles and enlist input on future program goals and direction. • Evaluate program effectiveness and prepare necessary reports. • Leads the strategic planning process and monitor the achievement of program goals as delineated in the strategic plan. • Demonstrate leadership, management and communication skill in working with collaborative groups and effectively involve others in decision-making processes. • Participate in the recruitment, selection and assignment of instructional staff. • Travel between various locations. Serves as a liaison between MCOE, school districts, agencies and community organizations; maintains inventory and disseminates instructional materials and equipment, reviews requisitions, requests and pertinent reports; attends management meetings and other meetings as requested; performs other job-related duties as required. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone and business machines and related equipment; vision sufficient to read printed materials, hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversational distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, and to reach overhead, climb and move quickly or run after a child in an emergency situation; physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment (office, district, school site-to-site), drive an automobile and respond to emergency situations; physical strength sufficient to lift 45 pounds alone and more with a two-person lift; physical stamina sufficient to sit for prolonged periods of time; physical tolerance to be exposed to dust pollen, specific agents/chemicals, cleansers, foul smells; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience • Masters Degree or equivalent in Special Education from an accredited college or university. • Minimum of three (3) years of recent special education teaching or related service in special education programs and services. • Minimum of three (3) years of administration/Coordination of Special Education Programs. • Assault Response Training – Must complete this training within six (6) months of employment. • CPR Certification – Must complete this training within six (6) months of employment. • Appropriate California credential authorizing service in programs for students with disabilities. • Posses or be eligible for a valid California Administrative Services Credential. • Posses an appropriate California Operator’s License and availability of an automobile with the State minimum insurance coverage. Knowledge of • Moderate to Severe Disabilities. • Curriculum design, planning, development, implementation and evaluation. • State and Federal laws and regulations affecting special education. • Behavior management systems. • Relevant research, emerging developments and mandates in special education. Ability to • Organize, plan and coordinate special education programs and services. • Provide clinical supervision. • Interact with and maintain cooperative relationships with various levels of staff and the public. • Deal effectively with a variety of student behavior problems. • Handle information in a discreet and confidential manner. • Exercise reason and good judgment in unusual circumstances. • Develop and Implement an aliened curriculum and effective instructional program. • Coordinate and supervise all required state and local testing. • Communicate effectively in the English language both orally and in writing. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS • Knowledge of community agencies. • Mainstreaming and Transition knowledge and experience. • Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish.