Position Summary

Under the direction of the County Superintendent of Schools, the Assistant Superintendent for Student Programs and Services leads and manages the division of Student Programs and Services which includes Special Education regional programs and services, and Early Childhood Education. The Assistant Superintendent provides vision and leadership for the coordination of resources to support and enhance student learning including programs, policies, operations and procedures related to school district support services, outside organizations, families, and state and federal agencies. The Assistant Superintendent is responsible for planning, organizing, controlling and directing division operations, activities, services and programs.  They work closely with other departments and agencies and assist in developing organization policies, practices and procedures.  The Assistant Superintendent serves on the Superintendent’s Cabinet and collaborates with other Cabinet members to integrate the activities of each assigned division with all Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) divisions and community partners. They supervise the performance of division management and assists the Superintendent in development of leadership skills among all management.  The Assistant Superintendent manages and participates in the development and administration of division budgets. They facilitate the development of inter-agency partnerships related to major educational initiatives and related resource development activity on behalf of HCOE.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Assistant Superintendent provides leadership and supervision of programs and personnel assigned to meet the specific needs of students. Works collaboratively with families, community agencies, and businesses to form viable partnerships for the support and development of student programs and services.

Supervision Received and Exercised

This position is under the supervision of the Superintendent.  This position is responsible for the evaluation of classified, certificated, and management staff as assigned.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities (Examples of Essential Job Functions)

• Assists in administrative functions to support services affecting the operating functions of (HCOE) as well as the educational programs of students.
• Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and Leadership Council;
• Plays a key role in the selection, placement, and professional development planning for every staff member within the division;
• Leads and supervises other management personnel as assigned;
• Recommends new procedures and changes in existing procedures governing the implementation/management of the instructional support programs sponsored by the office;
• Collaborates with HCOE administrators to effectively align services across departments.
• Directs, coordinates, implements and evaluates educational programs within the division to ensure alignment to the California Content Standards and related graduation requirements including curriculum, instructional design, instructional delivery and strategies for achieving optimal educational and instructional results.
• Provides direction, assistance and support to improve student achievement by focusing on research-based instructional programs, student assessment results and instructional strategies for at-promise learners.
• Researches, develops and implements methodologies, programs and ideas to better serve the student population in conjunction with county office and other outside agencies.
• Supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel; reviews work to assure compliance with established standards, requirements and procedures; and assures employee understanding of established requirements.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with a wide variety of public and private agencies, local school districts to support student achievement, coordinate activities and programs, exchange information and maintain positive communication.
• Evaluates district and program needs and designs new programs and services accordingly.
• Develops, prepares, and oversees budgets; analyzes and reviews budgetary and financial data; controls and authorizes expenditures in accordance with established limitations; prepares, applies for and monitors grant funding information; seeks new funding sources to expand services to districts, students and the community; collaborates with the Business Department to understand program financing regulations and requirements to understand program financing regulations and requirements.
• Provides a positive climate of interaction and communication between County staff and local districts in the review and evaluation of the educational program.
• Administers the special education programs assigned to HCOE to ensure quality and cost-effective programs in compliance with local policy, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Advises the Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools and designated administrators regarding the special education programs administered by HCOE.
• Ensures program accountability for all special education students and services under their direction and supervision.
• Assists with monitoring and reviewing Memoranda of Understanding for instructional programs.
• Reviews and advises on development of Board Policies and Administrative Rules and Regulations.
• Attends meetings of the County Board of Education to present reports and recommendations in areas of responsibilities.
• Meets regularly with school district administrations to determine educational needs and effectiveness of County Office services.
• Develops long and short-range goals and objectives and progress reports.
• Maintains currency in new education technology.
• Attends meetings and conferences as appropriate.
• Serves on professional advisory committees in areas of responsibilities

Education & Experience

Minimum Required

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in educational leadership or related field;
• Minimum five (5) years working successfully in the field of education in an administrative capacity;
• Possess an appropriate California Administrative Credential.

Preferred Experience

• Demonstrates strong leadership, organizational, communication, and human relation skills;
• Demonstrates successful experience as a classroom teacher, counselor, psychologist, or other certificated staff
• Supervisory/management experience in the education of individuals with special needs
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Demonstrated experience with successful development and implementation of professional learning workshops and trainings.
• Ability to speak a second language (Spanish, Sign Language, Hmong) highly desirable

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Research-based practices of effective, visionary leadership.
• Principles and practices of effective presentation and facilitation techniques, styles and skills.
• Principles and practices of engaging, rigorous and stimulating professional development activities.
• California’s accountability system.
• Standardized testing and reporting interpretation and analysis.
• Curriculum design, planning, development, implementation and evaluation.
• Program planning and evaluation designs and tools.
• Federal, state and local laws; codes, regulations, requirements; and current research and development pertaining to areas of assigned responsibility.
• Current federal, state, and local policies, rules, laws, regulations, and legislation pertaining to special education
• District policies and procedures, organizational structure and functions, and personnel policies and procedures
• Effective administrative and managerial practices
• Budget preparation and spending control

Ability to:

• Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports
• Develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient programs and services
• Apply principles of public administration and management
• Collaborate with staff, outside agencies and school districts
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Direct the maintenance of a variety of reports, records and files related to assigned activities
• Provides services in the office as well as in various sites throughout the county, sometimes serving multiple sites in a single workday;
• Actively engages in an on-going program of professional development to maintain and improve management skills and leadership abilities;
• Communicates effectively in writing;
• Maintains personal demeanor during periods of peak workflow and perform efficiently within restricted timeframes;
• Modifies days/hours and to work additional days/hours on occasion;
• Travels using own transportation with mileage reimbursed, or with the use of a county office fleet vehicle;
• Speak and present in a public setting, group problem solving and leadership skills;
• Provide effective leadership in a special education setting by facilitating group processes, including consensus building and conflict resolution
• Motivate, challenge, and guide others in the improvement of educational programs and HCOE services
• Communicate with students, parents, community representatives, district personnel, and other community partners, both individually and as a group
• Compose and comprehend written communications
• Ability to flex communication style to multiple cultural environments
• Make formal, public presentations
• Utilize computer technologies including but not limited to: electronic medical recording systems, email, word processing, spreadsheets, power point, and educational applications
• Determine work assignments of staff and supervise
• Be able to work directly with all racial, ethnic, linguistic, disability, and socioeconomic groups while maintaining a kind and professional demeanor free of discrimination
• Demonstrate appropriate poise, tact, and sound judgment while coping with a high volume of work and multiple tasks
• Be flexible and adaptable to changing environments and schedules

Working Conditions

This position will be assigned to an office setting, either in the County Office of Education or at District school sites. The employee will be expected to work closely with other county office staff, district staff, students, families, other professionals, outside agencies, and private partners, in person, via email, and on the telephone. Assigned to occasional school site settings where multiple children, school staff, and families are present.  Employees may be required to walk, stand, or conduct work in outdoor educational environments where there may be loud students or staff, varied temperatures, public interaction, or upset staff or students and respond in emergency situations

Physical Demands

• Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position
• Manual dexterity sufficient to write, use the telephone, business machines
• 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 addressing groups
• Physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and to reach overhead
• 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 25 pounds
• Physical stamina sufficient to sit for prolonged periods of time
• Mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions

Other Requirements

• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by HCOE prior to employment.
• TB testing and/or risk assessment will be required upon employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable).
• May be required to drive with or without students; some positions may require a California driver’s license.

Superintendent Approved 11/5/2024
Class 6