Job Description

SUPERVISOR - SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

DEPARTMENT: Special Education

UNIT: Professional and Administrative Exempt

WAGE: Compensation is based on the candidate’s years of verified and relevant experience, as determined by Human Resources.

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Executive Director of Special Education Services

GRPS MISSION
Our mission is to ensure that all scholars are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

JOB SUMMARY
This individual serves as the visionary leader responsible for facilitating all phases of the school’s programming, including the leadership and organization of instructional (including social-emotional) programming, administration, organization, and supervision of staff and scholars. This position is responsible for leadership regarding all tasks related to the instructional programming, administration and organization for prevention, intervention, and programming. This position is responsible for continually monitoring and evaluating programs and services for compliance and ensuring quality programming. Position reports directly to the Executive Director of Special Education and Early Intervention Services for Grand Rapids Public Schools.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in administration, supervision, or education. Pursuant to 380.1246 and District expectations, the individual in this position must either hold a valid Michigan school administrator’s certificate or not later than 6 months after he or she begins employment as a school administrator enroll in a program leading to certification as a school administrator and must complete the program within 3 years. The district may not continue the employment of an individual who fails to enroll in a program within 6 months or fails to complete the program within 3 years, or BA degree with comparable training and experience
• Knowledge which is acquired through completion of a master’s degree; and eligibility for Full Approval as a Supervisor or Director of Special Education pursuant to 340.1771or 340.1772 of the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education At least 6 months of successful experience in an area of Special Education administration or other positions of leadership, significantly related to the responsibilities of the job
  

Preferred:

• In a program to become eligible to receive MDE Full Approval as a Supervisor or Director of Special Education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated strong dedication and related skills/knowledge for scholar-centered teaching and learning which builds scholar, family, and community connections
• Ability and desire in managing diversity by creating an environment for all in the school community regardless of differences and similarities, to reach their full potential in accomplishing the objectives of the school and the district
• Proven administrative experience with strong collaboration skills, effective interpersonal communication, creativity, optimism, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability
• Must meet the continuing education requirement per the State of Michigan
• High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation
• Proven team leadership and problem solving (listen, identify problem and collaboratively problem solve)
• Ability to make good decisions that are consistent and fair within contractual guidelines and Board policies
• Understanding/knowledge of MARSE, IDEA, ADA.
• Attention to detail in composing, typing, and proofing materials, establishing priorities and meeting deadlines
• Excellent spelling, grammar, and written communication skills.
• Excellent telephone etiquette and oral communication skills.
• Strict adherence to the confidentiality requirements of the office/District and ability to maintain it at a high level
• Knowledge of current issues, problems and challenges faced by urban education systems
• Good attendance, punctuality, and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to work flexible hours, evenings and weekends if needed.
• Must have reliable transportation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

Knowledge Base: Leadership

• Maintains and communicates an informed vision of success for all scholars while treating all persons with civility, respect, and dignity
• Works with district/building leadership, staff, scholars, parents, local educational agencies (LEAs), the Kent Intermediate School District (KISD), and community to build a shared vision of learning for all scholars. This includes progress monitoring, alignment of resources, and fostering innovation on valid measures, including IEP goals and objectives
• Works with district/building leadership and staff to use data, information, and research to set priorities, evaluate school programs, and collaborate for improved results for scholars
• Works with district/building leadership, staff, scholars, and families to link school priorities and strategies into the School Improvement plan to achieve school and district goals
• Contributes to practices and norms that help build capacity within District
• Establishes program routines that support and recognize habits of reflective practice, self-assessment, and personal renewal
• Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Programs

• Assists district/building leadership and staff in interpreting curriculum expectations, including PBIS, selecting appropriate instructional and social-emotional resources, developing differentiation strategies, and making the curriculum relevant for all scholars per the District’s Academic Plan and the School Improvement Plan
• Uses working knowledge of effective instruction in establishing school processes and routines that engage teachers/staff in routine monitoring of scholar progress and evaluation, interventions, and improvement of instructional strategies which meet the individualized needs of scholars
• Works with district/building leadership and staff to establish building and district systems, processes, trainings, and shared leadership to ensure full compliance with the IDEA, Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE), and the Kent Intermediate School District (KISD) Special Education Plan
• Monitors, evaluates, and ensures development and implementation of quality evaluations, IEPs, transition planning, and provision of a free appropriate public education

District Processes

• Builds relationships with district/building leadership, staff, scholars, families, LEAs, and the broader school community and seeks out resources and support while advocating for the district
• Ensures all segments of the community are included, involved, respected, and valued
• Establishes regular systems of two-way communication with district/building leadership, parents, and community, while involving parents in their child’s education
• Trains teachers/staff to lead collaborative inquiry, assists colleagues in developing evidence-based goals and strategies, and disseminates successful improvement work
• Works with district/building leadership and staff to deepen scholar and school data analysis to evaluate and revise school improvement goals and strategies
• Provides staff training and support to use the school’s data system for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting multiple forms of data for progress and performance monitoring

Technology

• Learns and uses emerging technologies to increase productivity, develop leadership, and expand staff use of technology
• Provides leadership, advocacy, and creative solutions for the school’s use of technology to improve parent and community involvement, expand scholar learning opportunity, improve the monitoring and communication of scholar progress, and adapt the teaching and learning environment for better scholar results
• Provides leadership that encourages and recognizes staff initiative and innovative use of technology to improve scholar results

Human Capacity

• Works with district/building leadership and staff to evaluate the school’s professional learning culture and the impact of internal and external professional learning on scholar results
• Identifies, develops, and supports staff, scholar and parent leaders with training, mentoring, and coaching needed to carry out meaningful leadership in the school
• Evaluates staff in accordance with state laws and district personnel evaluation policies

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate.

NON-DISCRIMINATION/ACCOMMODATION ASSISTANCE

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran, or military status.

Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at (616) 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org.

DISCLAIMER
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

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