Special Ed Director - Public Service Supervisor

Primary Function:  Oversees the design, implementation, and evaluation of special education students who are Deaf / Hard of Hearing with additional disabilities (Deaf Plus).

Duties and responsibilities: 

• Special education leadership and compliance: Oversees the design, implementation, and evaluation of special education students who are Deaf / Hard of Hearing with additional disabilities (Deaf Plus). Ensure compliance with IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Iowa Department of Education special education regulations. Serves as the ISD representative in IEP meetings, ensuring that student needs are met appropriately. Maintain confidential student records and ensure compliance with FERPA regulations.
• Instructional and program development to support students with special needs: Develops evidence based instructional strategies that support language acquisition, communication, sensory integration, mobility, and adaptive skills for Deaf Plus students. Collaborate with specialists, therapists, and assistive technology experts to ensure accessibility and effectiveness of learning materials. Supports teachers in differentiating instruction and applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approaches to meet diverse student needs. Implements and oversee the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices for students who require additional communication support.
• Staff supervision and professional development for special education providers: Assists with the recruitment and mentoring of special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and related services providers working with Deaf Plus students. Provides ongoing professional development on topics such as multisensory learning, ASL-English bilingual strategies, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and trauma-informed care. Fosters a collaborative professional learning environment to enhance instructional effectiveness for Deaf Plus students. Delegates tasks to the IEP Coordinator and assign duties to the ISD/IESBVI faculty member (school psychologist) as needed. Provides performance feedback and professional learning opportunities as necessary. Addresses performance deficiencies by establishing clear goals, providing coaching opportunities, and implementing other support systems. Provides rewards and recognition for outstanding performance on an as needed basis.
• Family and community engagement: Develops strong partnerships with parents, guardians, and caregivers to ensure they are actively involved in the IEP process and their child’s educational journey. Facilitate family workshops on navigating special education, communication strategies, and resources available for students who are Deaf Plus. Collaborates with state and national organizations specializing in deaf education and multiple disabilities to bring best practices to ISD.
• Budget and resource management: Develops and manages the special education budget, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources, supplies and technology. Making recommendations to the Chief Academic Officer regarding staffing levels. Locates and manages grants and external funding opportunities for special education programming and assistive technology.

Position Requirements:

1. Must possess, or be able to obtain, a valid Iowa administrative license with a special education endorsement.

2.) Must be able to meet the sign language requirement as outlined in ISD's sign language policy.

3.) Must possess a Master’s degree or higher in Deaf education, special education, educational leadership, or related field.

Applicants must have satisfactory criminal history, adult and child abuse registry, and sexual offender’s registry background checks before hire.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
 

Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, persons in this class may be required to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and endorsements..