Program Administrator

Meeker & Wright Special Education Cooperative #0938
Date Posted: March 26, 2025
Position Title: Program Administrator
Assignment Location: Sholund School for Girls (Annandale) and Wings (Litchfield)
Hours per Day: 8
Schedule: 215 day contract (July 1 – June 30)
Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2025
Salary: $90,000 – $115,000; commensurate with education and experience
Benefits: As outlined on MAWSECO’s Summary of Benefits 

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Program Administrator provides leadership, oversight, and direction for assigned MAWSECO programs, ensuring high-quality educational services that meet the diverse needs of students. This position is responsible for creating an equitable school culture and climate that promotes student success and staff engagement. The Program Administrator supervises cooperative staff, coordinates program operations, and ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, as well as district policies and procedures.

Key responsibilities include:

• Program Leadership and Oversight: Plan, organize, and manage daily operations and activities within assigned programs. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing educational programs and lead efforts to revise and develop new programs aligned with student needs and cooperative goals.
• Staff Supervision and Development: Supervise and evaluate cooperative staff, providing feedback and professional development to ensure the implementation of evidence-based instructional practices, assessments, and curriculum. Conduct classroom walkthroughs, offer ongoing feedback, and meet with staff to foster reflection and continuous improvement.
• Compliance and Accountability: Ensure that all educational services comply with federal, state, and district regulations. Maintain accurate educational records and prepare required reports.
• Resource Management: Allocate program resources effectively and efficiently to maximize impact. Develop and manage program budgets in alignment with district goals.
• Curriculum and Program Development: Provide guidance and consultation to staff on curriculum development, instructional practices, and program planning. Lead staff meetings and deliver professional development to support high standards of teaching and learning.
• Staffing and Scheduling: Organize staff schedules and coordinate the school calendar to meet state and district guidelines. Collaborate with administrative support to adjust staffing allocations as needed.
• Collaboration and Communication: Build and maintain strong relationships with residential program staff, community partners, and other stakeholders. Attend staffings and meetings to ensure coordinated service delivery.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of innovation by encouraging and facilitating action on new ideas that advance MAWSECO’s mission and vision.

The Program Administrator plays a critical role in ensuring that MAWSECO programs provide a safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environment where all students can thrive.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of educational philosophy, culturally responsive teaching methods and approaches, and current best practices and strategies for a diverse student population.

Knowledge of:

• theory and research in education
• application of methods used in improving academic achievement
• educational assessment practices and techniques
• effective intervention, academic and behavior techniques
• academic curriculum and pedagogical techniques that is effective across diverse populations
• procedures, methods and strategies pertaining to the administration of an middle school/secondary level program operation
• Minnesota State Academic Standards
• school safety procedures
• effective supervision and discipline of students
• State and Federal laws relating to minors, the Teacher Code-of-Ethics, and local policies and procedures
• instructional technology
• evidence-based research and best practices in educational interventions

Skills in:

• crisis management, handling emergencies and de-escalation techniques
• effective problem solving, decision making, and judgment
  leadership and exceptional interpersonal skills

Ability to:
communicate well both orally and in writing

• plan, organize and coordinate the activities of an educational program
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the stakeholders
• work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• lead and supervise staff and students
• remain flexible and develop alternative strategies to achieve established goals
• manage and prioritize complex issues
• apply leadership skills within a shared decision-making model
• evaluate the instructional process

ABOUT SHOLUND:
Sholund School for Girls is located in Annandale, MN and is the educational facility on the grounds of Village Ranch, Inc. Residential facility. This educational program serves girls in grades 7-12. Sholund provides a flexible and safe environment in which students can experience educational success. Enrollment is made up of students primarily living in the Village Ranch residence.

ABOUT WINGS:
Wings Alternative Program in Litchfield, MN is located within the WINGS Adolescent Recovery Services residential treatment facility. The educational program serves male and female adolescents ages 14 years and older. MAWSECO staff members provide educational services to students while they are residing at WINGS Adolescent Recovery facility.

ABOUT MAWSECO:
MAWSECO is an agency of seven-member school districts (Annandale, Dassel-Cokato, Delano, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Litchfield, Maple Lake and Rockford) that have joined together to provide services in the area of special education. The mission of the Cooperative is to provide quality special education leadership, services, and support to its seven-member school districts’ staff, students and families as well as other agencies/districts that purchase its services. The MAWSECO central office is located in Howard Lake, MN which is west of the metro and south of St. Cloud.

HOW TO APPLY:
Meeker and Wright Special Ed Coop #938 utilizes an online application system. Please visit the site to apply:  https://www.applitrack.com/mawseco/OnlineApp/

If you have questions or concerns regarding the application process, please contact Elizabeth Sullivan (612) 417-6491 or email at: [email protected]

POSITION QUESTIONS:
Contact Caren Heltne, Assistant Director of Care and Treatment Programs at: (612) 441-0651 or email [email protected] or Melissa Hanson, Executive Director, at (320) 543-1122 or email at: [email protected].

MAWSECO is an equal opportunity employer