Special Education Director presso Esperanza Cyber Charter School

JOB TITLE: Special Education Director

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Esperanza Cyber Charter School (ECCS), located in North Philadelphia, is currently accepting applications for a 12-month Special Education Director position. The primary role of the Special Education Director is to provide oversight of the Special Education department to ensure the acquisition, monitoring, and assessment of support services for students with an IEP within federal, state, and local regulations and timelines. Responsibilities include strategic professional development, monitoring compliance to meet state and federal mandates, and supporting equitable evidence-based practices and programming for academic growth and achievement, social-emotional learning, and behavior management.

Esperanza Cyber Charter School Mission

Esperanza Cyber Charter School (ECCS) prepares students in grades Kindergarten through 12 to meet the challenges of living creatively and productively in an increasingly technologically sophisticated and interconnected world. ECCS will provide students with an academically rigorous yet flexible online learning program that tailors learning experiences to each child through curriculum choices, virtual tutoring, and counseling. ECCS targets underserved and at-risk students who have not always found success in traditional schools. ECCS places students on a pathway to post-secondary success.

BENEFITS:

• Professional Development
• Training for the cyber environment
• Paid time off 
• 403b contribution matching
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Tuition Reimbursement 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Formal coursework or certification in the field of Special Education required
• 4-6 years of experience in an education setting required
• Experience working in the field of Special Education required
• Bilingual (Spanish and English fluency) preferred
• Master’s degree required
• Pennsylvania Special Education Supervisory or Principal certification required
• Demonstrated leadership skills

• A passion for education and a belief that your zip code does not dictate your destiny
• Current FBI fingerprints, PA Criminal, and Child Abuse background checks

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans and implements program goals and objectives for the special education program K-12th grade while maintaining an awareness of current laws, policies, and regulations pertaining to specific programs.
• Supervises the off-site programs and services provided to special education students, e.g. therapeutic, home teaching, transition assistance program 
• Serves as liaison with county programs, nonpublic schools, feeder districts, and community agencies on matters of program articulation and student placement 
• Coordinates special education transportation services
• Assists in the development, administration, and presentation of staff training programs relative to special education
• Assists in the development of policies and procedures related to special education. Performs regular program reviews and recommends changes in program administration, methodology, curriculum, and/or procedures as necessary.
• Prepares and submits reports and attends board meetings as required
• Represents the district at county, regional, and state meetings and attends meetings as designated by the CEO
• Plans and coordinates district-wide psychological services and provision of mental health services for special education
• Coordinates and administers the district's special education program and special education summer school programs
• Evaluates certificated and classified staff based on special education compliance 
• Performs such other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as designated by the CEO
• Represents ECCS in legal proceedings, and participates in IEP meetings, discussions, informal conferences, mediations, and due process hearings to resolve issues regarding special education students.
• Oversee special education student services and evaluations provided by Special Education Liaisons, case managers, and contractual service providers following federal, state, and local timelines and regulations 

• Ensure the services are being provided according to the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) 
• Ensure evaluations are being conducted within the required timelines 
• Monitor the maintenance of related services and evaluation records and notes in applicable databases
• Ensure student services are being rendered as agreed upon in the contract

• Ensure timelines and authorization to provide services and evaluations  are communicated clearly

• Produce weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to monitor and verify reporting data for all reporting requirements concerning students with IEPs and other required reports
• Conduct periodic audits of special education student files, both electronic and hard copy, to ensure that all appropriate documentation has been identified, retrieved, completed, and finalized for current, incoming, withdrawn, and inactive students 
• Utilize school meeting calendar(s) to monitor the timely submission of all special education required documents
• Develop a system to review and distribute (mail, filing, etc.) all special education student file paperwork following state, local, and school policies, timelines, and regulations
• Monitor and assess the contractual service providers' process
• Review daily, appropriate spreadsheets/databases to identify caseload priorities for the case managers

• Conduct a year-end analysis and needs assessment for the department
• Maintain knowledge of IDEA, and PDE regulations about obtaining, and monitoring related services and special education evaluations
• Travel as required to attend all school-related activities/events
• Work closely with other Departments 

SKILLS:

• Strong ability to meet and manage deadlines
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritize during school launch periods
• Excellent organizational skills, oral/written communication skills, technology skills, and detail-oriented
• Demonstrated proficiency in Google Suites, LMS systems (preferably Schoology, student information systems (preferably PowerSchool), and web conferencing tools

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working.
• Constant hand, finger, and arm use, and excellent eye-hand coordination.
• Ability to hear clearly and speak intelligibly.
• To occasionally function in activities involving walking, bending, squatting, reaching, and climbing stairs.
• To occasionally stand for extended periods.
• Ability to see and perform visual activities such as closing paperwork, using a computer monitor, reading, and writing.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to come onsite for all required days.

Disclaimer: This Job Description is designed to reflect job duties accurately. However, it may not be all-inclusive, and other job-related duties may be required. Reasonable accommodations will be made as required by local, state, or federal laws that do not cause undue hardship.

Nondiscrimination: ECCS provides all persons equal access to all employment categories, regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin or handicap/disability, gender identity, or genetic information.