NATURE OF WORK

Under limited supervision, performs a variety of supervisory and administrative tasks in monitoring and assisting the programs for exceptional children in the school system. Employee directs and supervises programs and services for students in the system with special needs. Employee coordinates the efforts of federal, state and local agencies, private specialists, parents and division supervisors to provide the services needed by students as determined by department staff. Employee monitors the overall effectiveness of programs and ensures all are implemented within federal, state and local regulations. Employee supervises a group of Exceptional Children employees.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plans, develops, and implements a comprehensive program for students with disabilities, which assesses needs of students, establishes objectives and priorities, delegates responsibilities to staff, develops strategies to achieve objectives and evaluates programs.

Provides direction, consultation and supervision to program employees; consults with centrally based staff and school-based staff on individual cases and on interpretation of federal, state and local policies and procedures.

Develops and implements standards, policies and procedures related to exceptional child services; develops short and long range goals for the division; monitors the progress of various services; makes recommendations for changes.

Works in conjunction with the State Department of Public Instruction, the Office for Civil Rights, and various other agencies to meet the needs of students; prepares and monitors contracts with individuals and agencies for special services not available through the school system; ensures compliance of programs with federal, state, and local regulations.

Coordinates with local agencies, parents and school personnel to resolve problems and secure needed resources and services.

Responds to calls and correspondence regarding programs and services offered.

Supervises and conducts personnel administration duties for staff, including hiring and firing, evaluating, assigning special duties, monitoring attendance and travel reports, and granting leave.

Assists in the preparation of budgets for the programs; coordinates with other departments or agencies to ensure maximum services; monitors expenditures of approved budgets.

Job responsibilities could also include participation in administrative activities for the Medicaid program.

Performs other related work as required.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in Education or a related field and 6 to 9 years of experiences as a program administrator; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge; skills and abilities. Certification as an Exceptional Child Program Administrator.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including computers, copiers, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally; and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or composite characteristics of data, people or things.

Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments or directions to subordinates or assistants.

Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, forms, articles, proposals, contracts, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, evaluations, policies, etc. using prescribed formats.

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including medical, legal and counseling terminology.

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages.

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving of instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local agencies that provide services for children with special needs.

Considerable knowledge of local, state and federal policies and procedures regarding exceptional children.

Considerable knowledge of the County and School Board policies, procedures and standards regarding education.

Considerable knowledge of the organization and communication channels of the school system.

Considerable knowledge of the ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional organizations and/or federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.

Considerable knowledge of the current literature, trends, methods and developments in the area of exceptional children.

Considerable knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.

General knowledge of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

Skill in counseling and developing staff.

Ability to assess the needs of students.

Ability to plan, develop, implement and evaluate large programs.

Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures and standards for services offered.

Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and statistics and to dvelop meaningful reports from that information.

Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.

Ability to make oral presentations before large groups of people.

Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

REPORTS TO: Superintendent or Designee

FSLA STATUS: Exempt