POSITION: STATE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
DESCRIPTION
An individual selected for this position will be directly responsible for the planning, designing, organizing, conducting, and implementing the Department's initiatives within the Special Education Program. This individual will be responsible for the supervision of personnel assigned to the State Special Education Division. He or she will work under limited supervision of the Commissioner of Education or the Assistant Commissioner with considerable latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE)
- Monitors, organizes, administers, and provides leadership for activities and personnel of Special Education
- Program and Educational Diagnostic Services with increased student achievement as the goal;
- Establishes strategies for maintaining quality control for all work undertaken by the Division;
- Monitors and analyzes needs of the Districts in terms of serving special need children;
- Monitors Special Education and Educational Diagnostic Services staffing needs for the District and
- recommends the appropriate actions;
- Monitors the needs of Special Education and Educational Diagnostic Services personnel within the territory;
- Plans for and conducts/facilitates in-service activities for teachers of students with disabilities in accordance with CSPD plan developed by SEA;
- Monitors the supervision of Special Education and Educational Diagnostic Services personnel at the state level;
- Monitors the development/adoption of procedures that comply with territorial policies on special education;
- Formulates and develops plans, procedures and programs to ensure that the territory is in compliance with laws (federal and local) relating to Special Education;
- Works with principals, supervisors and/or coordinators and other staff members in Program development and implementation in accordance with territorial policies;
- Develops a territorial budget as well as cost estimates for various tasks and projects that ensures the efficient and effective allocation of resources;
- Prepares and writes major proposals and reports for the territory;
- Prepares written reports discussing the status of Special Education within the Virgin Islands;
- Researches, designs, develop, evaluate, and review policies and policies and manuals dealing with Special Education;
- Researches and develops long-range training goals and objectives;
- Develops communication procedures with both the Program and the Department of Education to insure that professional personnel are aware of the functions of the Program and their responsibilities;
- Uses a variety of technologies to enhance management of resources and program;
- Monitors a continuum of services that responds to individual educational needs and family characteristics;
- Monitors and establish guidelines for incorporation of post school outcomes for individuals with exceptional learning needs in the general curriculum standards;
- Monitors a plan to provide instructional and assertive technologies;
- Develops and monitors flexible service delivery that addresses the range of needs of individuals with
- exceptional learning needs;
- Develops, monitors and maintains prevention strategies and programs;
- Develops and monitors collaborative program that ensure that individuals with exceptional learning needs to have access to and participate in the general curriculum;
- Maintains files and records, supplies and materials as required;
- Performs other related work as required.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the provisions of Section 504 of the IDEA and related departmental policies and procedures;
- Knowledge of local laws governing special education and related policies and procedures;
- Knowledge of the operations, functions and general scope of the Special Education Program and Educational Diagnostic Programs;
- Ability to make decisions in accordance with established policies and regulations;
- Ability to communicate with staff, central office and the public;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships;
- Ability to write concise reports, carry out instructions and develop comprehensive plans with a minimum of supervision;
- Ability to supervise and coordinate committee work, in-service training and workshops
- Ability to advocate for the participation of individuals with exceptional learning needs in accountability systems;
- Ability to implement procedures within the assessment accountability system to ensure the participation of individuals with exceptional learning needs;
- Knowledgeable of approaches for involving parents, family and community members in educational planning, implementation and evaluation;
- Ability to implement intra and interagency agreements that create programs with shared responsibility for individuals with exceptional learning needs;
- Ability to promote seamless transitions of individuals with exceptional learning needs across educational and other programs from birth through adulthood;
- Ability to interpret laws & policies pertaining to learning, discipline, social and health needs of students with disabilities;
QUALIFICATIONS
- Masters degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Special Education
- or related field;
- At least five (5) years satisfactory experience in the field of specialization;
- At least three (3) years experience in administration and or supervision
“No person shall be discriminated against in employment or in any educational program or activity offered by the Virgin Islands Department of Education on account of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, handicap or age.”
Complainant may write to: Director Director
Division of Human Resources Division of Human Resources
2133 Hospital Street 44-46 Kongens Gade
Christiansted, VI 00820 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802