Job Summary:
Under the direction of the MAWSECO School Board and guidance of the advisory council, the Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the cooperative and is responsible for the overall management, leadership and oversight of the Cooperative, its staff and programs in accordance and compliance with state and federal mandates and requirements. Duties involve the leadership and oversight of special education staff, program development, program evaluation, fiscal/budget administration of special needs programming, and oversight of due process and compliance requirements for all MAWSECO programs and member districts.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Direct Supervision: Business Manager, Special Education Supervisor, Alternative Site Specialists, Special Education Coordinators, COTA, Due Process Secretary, Itinerant staff
Indirect Supervision: All MAWSECO employees
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Serves as the chief executive officer of the Cooperative. Performs such duties as: Oversees program development and implementation through leadership development, professional development and member district consultation.
Oversees and plans the budgetary process and fiscal operations of the Cooperative in collaboration with the Business Manager.
Manages and supervises Cooperative special education leadership, coordinators, educational support personnel, paraprofessionals, and oversees personnel functions of the Cooperative. Duties include such tasks as: Conducts and performs public relation activities associated with the Cooperative.
Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.
Essential Knowledge and Specialized Subject Knowledge Required to Perform the Essential Functions of the Job:
Laws, rules, statutes and guidelines related to special education programming and requirements.
Knowledge of medical assistance requirements, eligibility requirements and service requirements.
Instructional strategies, concepts, principles, methods, best practices and trends dealing with issues of child development, special education and instructional methods.
Principles and practices of supervision, leadership, management, and organizational theory.
State reporting and funding requirements for special service programs.
Knowledge of resources, service alternatives and options available to children with special needs.
Intergovernmental and public relation principles, concepts, trends and approaches.
Procedures and fundamentals of policy development and enforcement.
Employment law, regulations and contract administration/negotiation.
Essential Skills Necessary to Perform the Work:
Planning, organizing, developing, implementing and evaluating instructional and special education programs and services;
Interpreting and applying mandated laws, rules, regulations and guidelines consistent with the intent and purpose of the legislative requirements.
Organizational planning, negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution.
Presentational skills.
Delegating, evaluating, and supervising licensed instructional staff and managers assigned to diverse and multiple program areas and disciplines;
Organizing and presenting complex concepts, issues and ideas to the public, staff and member districts in an understandable manner;
Interpreting, monitoring and developing processes along with implementing legislative changes and initiatives that may impact special education programs or services;
Using computers and related software applications;
Ability to deal effectively and appropriately with parents, students, staff, administrators, providers, MN Department of Education, legislators, school board members, member superintendents, and educational professionals over instructional needs, curriculum, due process, services, concerns or problems of the students and/or member districts requiring persuasion, negotiation, and management skills in resolving conflicts confronting member districts and the Cooperative.