Assistant Director Special Education Academic Services

Bargaining Unit: Exempt
Work Year: 12 months
Work Day: 8 hours per day
FTE: Full time, 1.0 FTE
Salary: $123,844


Job Summary
The Assistant Director of Special Education Academic Services collaborates with Anchorage School District staff, parents, and community members to develop, monitor, and administer special education services. Specifically, the assistant director provides leadership of special education services within schools for students from kindergarten through grade 12. The assistant director provides leadership support for the teaching and learning of students with disabilities; designs and provides professional development; assists in developing and monitoring budgets; assists in maintaining compliance with all applicable government regulations and ASD standards; and assists with the coordination of special education complaint resolution within ASD. The assistant director is under the general direction of the senior director of Special Education. This position has a retirement association with the Alaska Teachers' Retirement System (TRS).

Job Requirements
The following are required:

1. A bachelor's degree or higher in special education or a related field from an accredited college or university.
2. A valid Alaska teaching or special services certificate by hire date.
3. A valid Alaska type B administrative certificate within six months of hire date.
4. A minimum of five years of experience in special education or a related field.
5. A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in special education, administration, supervision, school leadership, district leadership, or a related area.
6. Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, legal mandates, ASD policies, and division procedures governing special education.
7. Knowledge of child development and disabilities that may qualify a student for special education services.
8. Knowledge of the continuum of special education services available in the Anchorage School District.
9. A valid driver's license and reliable transportation to travel among school locations.

The following are preferred:

1. A master's degree in special education or a related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Experience with developing, implementing, and monitoring high-quality Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
3. Experience with facilitating challenging conversations and navigating special education team meetings addressing family concerns.
4. Leadership skills in effectively resolving conflicts to minimize distractions in the workplace.
5. Leadership skills in coaching, mentoring, training, and supervising teams for professional growth, and to support schools in providing high-quality instruction behavior modification.
6. Knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavior (MTSS-B).
7. Knowledge of best practices, principles, and issues related to the provision of special education services that positively affect student outcomes.
8. Knowledge of practical supervisory and evaluation principles and practices that positively affect staff performance.

Essential Job Functions

1. Works collaboratively with the senior director and directors of Special Education to share administrative responsibilities for the department.
2. Facilitates or co-facilitates meetings with principals, administrators, staff, and parents/guardians to analyze and resolve complex matters.
3. Effectively collaborates with other special education team members to implement best practices, division planning, compliance issues, and provision services.
4. Monitors and provides oversight of student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to ensure appropriate accountability and compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
5. Provides instructional leadership and technical expertise to special education staff members.
6. Prepares and submits various administrative reports as identified by the senior director and directors of Special Education.
7. Responsible for staff development plans, professional development, training for certificated and classified staff, and training on special education topics and technical assistance for principals and other stakeholders.
8. Leads in the development of innovative programs, projects, solutions, and problem-solving related to department goals and major initiatives.
9. Participates in and facilitates district planning teams, curriculum reviews, and other relevant committees.
10. Maintains knowledge and provides interpretation and information on federal and state laws and regulations related to special education and the department goals related to district initiatives and policies.
11. Develops and maintains positive and professional relationships through effective verbal and written communication.
12. Collaborates with stakeholders and administrative teams.
13. Organizes, prioritizes, and maintains effective follow-through processes.
14. Maintains strict confidentiality.
15. Demonstrates reliable and regular in-person attendance.
16. Assists administration and principals in selecting, assigning, and evaluating certificated and classified staff when appropriate.
17. Planning, professional development, and on-site administrative duties for Extended School Year (ESY).
18. Participates in district and department recruitment and retention efforts of special education staff.
19. Performs other duties as assigned by the senior director and directors of Special Education.

Physical /Mental Demands
The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with his/her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, the employee must be able to understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to readily recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure. The employee must have the ability to effectively manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment.

The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability.

Work Environment
Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings.

While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Additional Job Information
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

Anchorage School District (ASD) employees must possess the ability to read and write in English. This also includes the ability to communicate in English with school staff, co-workers, and the public; as well as have the ability to comprehend and carry out oral and written directions and understand and follow English instructions and written documents.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. For certificated positions, this is in addition to the background check conducted through the certification process with the Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).

This position may be required to work in ASD facilities on the military installations (JBER). Please visit the government REAL ID website for additional information.

The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.