Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Superintendent, the Director of Special Education Programs, plans, coordinates and administers the special education instructional and student services programs maintained by and operated through the Humboldt County Office of Education.

The Director provides special education leadership and coordination for Humboldt County Office of Education. The Director also provides technical assistance, plan development and overall program coordination for pupil personnel services in the areas of school psychology and school nursing and other special education needs as assigned by the superintendent. The Director provides leadership to the principals for Glen Paul School, Regional Special Day Classes, Therapeutic Learning Classrooms and the Special Beginnings Program. The Director provides support and guidance for the special education services at Court and Community School and the charter schools authorized by HCOE. The director also provides leadership and oversight for the Transportation Director. Budget development and monitoring for the special education programs is a shared responsibility with the principals of HCOE Special Education Programs, the Superintendent, and other central office staff.

The director coordinates the Medi-Cal Administration Activities (MAA) and the LEA Medi-Cal Billing process. The director will also monitor the Special Education Data submission for HCOE.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possess an appropriate California Administrative Credential.
• Demonstrate competence in communicating effectively with staff, district personnel, members of the public, and representatives of other local, state and federal agencies.
• Possess a valid California Driver’s License or otherwise insure ability to attend to duties at multiple worksites during the day.
• Possess at least four (4) years successful supervisory or administrative experience, including at least two (2) years in a responsible site or central office special education administrative capacity.
• Have developed particular expertise in special education program planning and familiarity with a broad range of educational law.
• Demonstrate strong leadership, organizational, communication, and human relations skills,
• Including the skills of mediation and group consensus building.
• Possess an advanced degree and experience/training in program and budget planning; staff and curriculum development; staff and program evaluation, and special education program administration.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Works with the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) special education principals, school psychologists, occupational therapy and nurse coordinators to insure HCOE provides the Local Education Agencies with the service needs required of each district.
• Oversees the submission of local, state, and federal required reporting documents including special education pupil counts, Performance Review and annual budget reports, etc.
• Leads and supervises the special education department secretary and technical support staff and principals for the HCOE special education programs.
• Consults with district personnel in evaluating regular and special education instructional program effectiveness upon request.
• As assigned by the superintendent, supervises and evaluates other student services personnel, including, but not limited to, school psychologists and school nurses, and office personnel and plays a key role in the selection, placement, and professional development planning for every staff member under his/her leadership.
• Coordinates interagency services related to special education for the Humboldt County Office of Education with various community agencies to ensure optimum services to schools, parents, and students.
• Recommends new procedures and changes in existing procedures governing the implementation/management of the special education instructional programs sponsored by the office.
• Prepares and manages relevant budgets.
• Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and HCOE Leadership Team
• Actively engages in an ongoing program of professional development to maintain and improve management skills and leadership abilities.
• Provide leadership for the Medi-Cal MAA program and Medi-Cal Billing system (LEA).
• Serve as a HCOE representative on various interagency committees and community organization.
• Attend SELPA Policy Council meetings and collaborate with SELPA leadership as needed.
• Serve on the management negotiating teams for CSEA and CTA as requested by the Superintendent.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

(Consideration will be given to reasonable accommodation for the following physical requirements.)

Sufficient vision to read printed materials; sufficient hearing to conduct in-person and telephone conversations; sufficient mobility to move about the county office and other sites as may be required; ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation distance, on the telephone, and to address groups of varying sizes; physical and emotional stamina to cope with sometimes stressful situations and conditions.

Additional Requirements

Individuals who serve as Director of Special Education Programs provide services in the office as well as in various sites throughout the county, sometimes serving multiple sites in a single workday.  Public speaking skills, group problem solving and leadership ability, the ability to communicate effectively in writing, the capacity to maintain personal demeanor during periods of peak work flow and perform efficiently within restricted timeframes are critical factors for success in this position.

Individuals who serve as certificated management personnel must be willing to modify days/hours and to work additional days/hours on occasion with appropriate compensation and be willing to travel using own transportation with mileage reimbursed, or county office fleet vehicle, as the job may require.

Class: 4 | DR 10/11/19