Job Description

Description

ABOUT ASPIRE

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving 17,000+ TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Special Education creates, implements and monitors programs for students, including special education, counseling, and student testing. S/he seeks new and innovative ways to enhance the student school experience and achievement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop, support and monitor the integration of Special Educational programming with General Education academic program

• Manages Regional Program Specialists and other Special Education staff in the region

• Leads comprehensive LEA-Based Student Support Reviews to monitor and report on regional trends and needs

• Utilizes data to make decisions about special services staffing and budgetary decisions for the Central Valley Special Education program

• Monitoring and supervision of Special Education Related Service Providers (SLP, School Psych, Special Ed MHT, OT, APE, PT, Other)

• Collaborates with Principals and Associate Superintendents to optimize Special Education programming at their LEA

• Provides constructive feedback Regional Senior Leadership Team regarding trends and needs within the region

• Oversight of Non-Public School Placement for students with IEPs

• Oversight of CalPads Reporting for students with IEPs

• Oversight of ADR/Mediation/Due Process Filings for students with IEPs

• Oversight of State Compliance Audits, annual and ongoing

• Oversight of Transition Planning and Services for students with IEPs

• Works with other appropriate partners to create high-quality and cost-effective services for students (i.e., counseling, special education services, after-school programs)

• Identifies resources to provide training for individuals and groups of educators and plans/supports planning of Professional Development and Communities of Practice for Special Educators, Related Service Providers, and Region-Wide training needs

• Evangelizes the Aspire Public Schools mission

• Participates in the EDCOE Charter SELPA and outside legal support in high-risk cases

• Oversees day to day special education operations 

• Runs each school as an LEA

• Keeps up-to-date on educational research and best practices

Additional:

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior 

• Perform other related duties as required and assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Competencies:

• Deep knowledge of the instructional needs of special education services

• Deep knowledge of the intricacies of the implementation of special education programs

• Outstanding training and presentation skills

• Ability to participate in a dynamic team to develop a cutting-edge program with inclusive practices, early intervention practices and response to intervention.

• Ability to facilitate discussions and partnerships with other agencies and groups

• Ability to communicate with parents

• Demonstrated ability to support teachers, lead teachers and principals

• Strong problem analysis and problem resolution skills at both a strategic and functional level

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment; flexible, able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed

• Bilingual – Spanish preferred

Minimum educational level:

• Master’s Degree required

• Valid California credential in Special Education or equivalent experience, education, and training. 

Experience required:

• 5+ years administrative experience in special education

• Proficiency with MS Office &  Google Suite

• Experience in performance assessment

• Experience in budget management

• Experience in creating systems to track compliance, monitor a variety of regional trends, and collaborate with teams to adjust systems and programming

Compensation:
Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to our teammate's well-being! In addition to a competitive base salary that is benchmarked against local districts and charter schools, we offer employees exceptional benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program. Our salary schedule based on years of experience for this position type is reflected here:

Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Aspire promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans. 

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