Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Assistant Superintendent, the Director of Specialized Programs and Services, provides administrative leadership for a variety of special education programs as well as related and itinerant services for all students as maintained by and operated through the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE). This includes Therapeutic Learning Classrooms, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, School Psychology, and Student Health services among others.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee assigned to the position. This description is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions associated with the position. Employees may be required to perform any combination of these duties.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Director assists in development and implementation of goals and objectives within the division of Student Programs and Services. The Director Serves as a lead or co-lead for HCOE efforts to provide in time programs and services to LEA’s, promote program expansion, revision, or development, and provide leadership and direction for specialized services in collaboration with LEA’s and the needs of the students they serve.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Supervisory responsibility includes a wide range of certificated and classified staff, from day-to-day supervision to overseeing others in conducting and signing formal evaluations to initiating and writing contracts for work performance by staff. This position reports directly to the Assistant Superintendent.

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

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Oversight: Provide special education leadership and coordination for HCOE. Direct and oversee the operations of therapeutic learning classrooms, school psychology services, health and nursing services, occupational therapy (OT), and physical therapy (PT) programs.
• Staff Supervision: Supervise and evaluate staff members, ensuring high standards of performance and professional development. This includes school psychologists, school nurses, office personnel, and other student services personnel as assigned by the superintendent. Play a key role in the selection, placement, and professional development planning for every staff member under their leadership.
• Program Management: Develop and articulate a clear vision for specialized programs, aligning with the organization’s goals and objectives. Consult with district personnel in evaluating regular and special education instructional program effectiveness upon request. Recommend new procedures and changes in existing procedures governing the implementation and management of special education instructional programs.
• Budget Management: Create, prepare, and manage budgets for specialized programs, ensuring efficient use of resources and financial accountability. Oversee the submission of local, state, and federal required reporting documents, including special education pupil counts, Performance Review, and annual budget reports.
• Contract Management: Negotiate and manage contracts for services, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and regulations.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with LEA representatives, school psychologists, occupational therapy and nurse coordinators, and other departments and stakeholders to enhance the quality and effectiveness of specialized programs. Coordinate interagency services related to special education with various community agencies to ensure optimum services to schools, parents, and students.
• Compliance: Ensure all programs comply with relevant laws, regulations, ethical standards, and best practices in the field of specialized education.
• Professional Development: Actively engage in an ongoing program of professional development to maintain and improve management skills and leadership abilities.
• Leadership Roles: Serve as a member of the HCOE Leadership Team. Serve as a HCOE representative on various interagency committees and community organizations. Attend SELPA Policy Council meetings. Collaborate and communicate with SELPA and LEA leadership regarding current and future HCOE Special Education Programs.
• Additional Responsibilities: Provide support and guidance for the special education services at Court and Community School and the charter schools authorized by HCOE. Monitor the Special Education Data submission for HCOE. Provides information and serves as a resource to others. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of

• Special education programs, including therapeutic learning classrooms, school psychology services, health and nursing services, occupational therapy (OT), and physical therapy (PT) programs.
• Related laws, regulations, and best practices related to special education and student services.
• Budget creation, preparation, and management for specialized programs, including the submission of local, state, and federal required reporting documents.
• Staff supervision and evaluation, including selection, placement, and professional development.
• Managing contracts for services, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and regulations.
• Interagency services related to special education and the ability to coordinate these services with various community agencies.
• Roles and responsibilities of serving as a member of the HCOE Leadership Team and representing HCOE on various interagency committees and community organizations.
• Medi-Cal MAA program and Medi-Cal Billing system (LEA), and the ability to coordinate the Medi-Cal Administration Activities (MAA) and the LEA Medi-Cal Billing process.
• Strong organizational skills to monitor the Special Education Data submission for HCOE and to perform other duties as assigned.

Ability to

• Motivate, challenge, and guide others in the improvement of specialized programs and HCOE services.
• Proficiently develop and articulate a clear vision for specialized programs, and in consultation with district personnel to evaluate instructional program effectiveness.
• Commit to ongoing professional development to maintain and improve management skills and leadership abilities.
• Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with students, parents, community representatives, district personnel, and other community partners, both individually and as a group.
• Compose and comprehend written communications with clarity and precision.
• Flex communication style to adapt to multiple cultural environments.
• Make formal, public presentations with confidence and professionalism.
• Utilize computer technologies, including but not limited to electronic medical recording systems, email, word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and educational applications.
• Determine work assignments of staff and supervise activities to ensure high standards of performance.
• 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 managing a high volume of work and multiple tasks.
• Be flexible and adaptable to changing environments and schedules.

Minimum Required

Education

• Cleared California Education Specialist, Teaching, or PPS credential

Experience

• Possess at least three (3) years successful supervisory or administrative experience, including at least two (2) years in an administrative role at a site or district level
• 5 years experience working within the field of obtained credential (Education specialist, Teaching, or PPS)

Required Credentials:

• Valid California Administrative Services Credential

Preferred Experience and Education:

• Master’s degree educational administration, psychology, or related area is strongly preferred;
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds;
• Ability to speak a second language (Spanish, Sign Language, Hmong highly desirable).

Working Conditions (Work Environment)

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, District personnel, 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.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, speak and hear. The employee will need to frequently perform repetitive hand/finger movements for activities, such as but not limited to, using a keyboard. The employee is occasionally required to climb stairs, bend, reach with hands/arms, lift, stoop, kneel and crouch.  The employee will regularly be required to drive long distances to remote areas of the county and may be required to lift and move equipment up to 25 lbs. 

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.
• May be required to drive with or without students; some positions may require a California driver’s license, proof of insurance and possible participation in the DMV PUll Notice Program once employed.

February 3, 2025
Certificated Management, Schedule B Class 3