Director of Special Education

Position Type: Administration-Licensed
Location: Educational Service Center
Closing date: Open until filled
Description: To inspire and prepare each and every scholar with the confidence, courage, and competence to achieve their dreams; contribute to community; and engage in a lifetime of learning. Coordinate the planning, program development, evaluation, and improvement of Student Services programming; implement the continuous program improvement process; ensure Student Services programming is conducted according to rules and regulations; supervise staff; make appropriate and equitable use of resources and technologies; implement the goals and objectives of the District and department for which employed; support District and department leaders implementation of program improvement plans; coordinate the development and delivery of system staff development; build capacity in staff to meet system-wide and department initiatives to ensure equitable achievement gains for scholars; initiate and sustain collaboration within and across departments, programs, and buildings to improve scholar achievement; coordinate and support in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous learning and services when applicable; participate in district and department leadership activities. Ability to be flexible with work hours to meet the needs of the district and department at the discretion of the supervisor.

Job Summary: The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental job duties:
Developing staff and/or individual capacity to apply technical/functional expertise for maximum impact; developing, implementing, and coordinating professional learning opportunities for department staff; providing guidance and work direction, when applicable, for support staff.
Creating and utilizing structures to ensure equitable hiring opportunities; exercising professional judgment regarding recommendation for employment, and coordinating hiring for direct reports.
Providing supervision to direct reports, including formative feedback and timely performance evaluations and/or demonstrating attention to quality enhancement by improving efficiencies and effectiveness in recordkeeping, workflow and compliance.
Leading the work of others; delegating tasks and authority appropriately and/or establishing procedures to guide system and departmental work; monitoring and demonstrating effective decision-making strategies in order to meet project deadlines.

Statement of duty/responsibility: Demonstrate Management Skills by:
Showing knowledge of resources aligned to instructional and program outcomes; showing knowledge of teacher professional resources to extend content knowledge and pedagogy; showing knowledge of and exercising professional judgment regarding implementation of high-quality instructional materials to ensure access to rigorous content and support scholars’ needs, engagement, and mastery.
Collaborating with department leaders to develop annual budgets; managing District and department resources equitably, effectively, and efficiently; collaborating with department leaders to develop tactical and strategic goals by analyzing program operational and strategic needs and resources (including; budget, personnel, time, facilities, materials) to ensure that expenditures are appropriate, meet objectives, and are within budget; making budget recommendations.
Knowing, understanding and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local policies, rules, regulations, and guidelines including Board Policies.
Applying effective and equitable decision-making processes.
Analyzing scholars’ achievement data in order to make informed continuous improvement processes recommendations.
Studying and remaining current with research and trends in areas such as curriculum, instruction, digital learning, and assessment to ensure program improvements are aligned with research.
Identifying, planning, implementing, and analyzing staffs’ professional learning needs, using formal and informal staff assessment tools, that align with department and/or district strategic plans; developing, implementing, and coordinating professional learning opportunities for staff.
Collaborating and providing leadership for projects that integrate various district departments and/or outside agencies; collaborating with staff, community, and the Minnesota Department of Education on issues of mutual interest; coordinating work with other departments to influence the use of technology for scholars for learning.

Statement of duty/responsibility: Demonstrate Interpersonal Skills by:
Establishing and cultivating mutual respect and rapport including positive interactions with and among colleagues, scholars, guardians/caregivers, and community; consistently demonstrating knowledge and caring about individuals; demonstrating and applying appropriate cultural and developmental awareness in interactions with colleagues, scholars, guardians/caregivers, and community; recognizing and honoring the dignity, needs, and individual identity of colleagues, scholars, guardians/caregivers, and community.
Expressing ideas clearly in speaking and writing; communicating effectively in public; presenting to a variety of groups; encouraging frequent and open communication; maintaining accessibility and visibility in the organization; inviting suggestions and feedback.
Ensuring administration, colleagues, and community members are informed of the accomplishments, improvement areas, and the needs of department; implementing a communications plan related to program improvement; disseminating program information to scholars, guardians/caregivers, community, administrators, colleagues, and staff; responding to individuals with questions, concerns or requests for information; responding to external requests for information (ex: compile data and submit state and federal reports).
Actively seeking alliances with state agencies, other school districts, and professional and community based organizations in an effort to influence and improve the work of the department/program.
Perceiving the needs and concerns of others and providing appropriate support; resolving conflicts; demonstrating cultural responsiveness.

Statement of duty/responsibility: Demonstrate Professionalism by:
Showing commitment to own professional growth; reflecting on knowledge and practice through self-assessment; accurately assessing the effectiveness of own leadership and activities; citing specific examples, ideas, and means for areas of improvement; identify personal growth areas and independently seeking opportunities to develop and refine knowledge and practices; maintaining documentation of progress toward professional learning goals.
Managing work duties effectively; organizing and scheduling time commitments to meet demands of the job; meeting established timelines and deadlines; maintaining accurate, accessible, and clear department and content/program documentation and records.
Effectively initiating contact, communication, and collaboration with staff, colleagues, and administrators; providing timely, constructive, and substantive information about instructional programs in a culturally sensitive manner; seeking opportunities to develop relationships and engage scholars, guardians/caregivers, staff, colleagues, and community.
Cultivating and sustaining positive and productive relationships with colleagues; helping to identify challenges and taking positive action toward their solution; actively participating in a culture of professional inquiry to improve practice; participating in school, program/content, District and state meetings and events; supporting implementation of the District’s mission.
Remaining current regarding program/content knowledge and pedagogy; seeking collegial support and feedback; seeking knowledge regarding the scholars and community served and applying findings to program/content practice participating in professional organizations to enhance practice; providing leadership and support to colleagues.
Demonstrating professional demeanor; representing the district in a positive manner; establishing and maintaining a positive image with sites and community.
Consistently maintaining and modeling honesty, integrity, and confidentiality in interactions with staff, colleagues, scholars, guardians/caregivers, and community; inspiring trust by demonstrating competence, reliability, sincerity, and caring; demonstrating adaptability and flexibility; actively addressing scholars’ needs; advocating for scholars.

Statement of duty/responsibility: Perform other comparable duties of a like or similar nature as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
Licensed as a Director of Special Education in Minnesota.
Education: Commensurate with license requirements.
Minimum of three years experience in the field.
Preferred Qualifications:
Licensed as School Principal preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities include:
Organizational, supervisory, and management abilities;
Communication skills including writing, speaking and listening;
Ability to work with parents, community groups and diverse local, regional and state agencies;
Ability to coordinate program implementation, develop program improvement, initiate action, render recommendations and evaluate programs;
Ability to organize time, set priorities;
Ability to apply principles of supervision in the evaluation of staff performance;
Ability to inform others in planning and decision making;
Ability to plan and carry out long range planning for in-service training and program improvement;
Ability to establish personal and department goals and manage work effectively;
Skills in problem solving.

Salary: View salary grids on Pages 3 – 4, Section 1. of the Licensed Coordinators agreement
Job type or FTE: Full-time – Temporary through June 30, 2025
Bargaining unit: Licensed Coordinators
Desired start date: ASAP

Osseo Area Schools offers:

Meaningful and impactful work
Opportunities to grow professionally
A variety of benefits
Summer opportunities
and more

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Osseo Area School District ISD 279 is an Equal Opportunity, and veteran-friendly employer.

Osseo Area School District ISD 279 ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Osseo Area School District is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the district and strongly encourages persons to apply who can strengthen our diversity. For more information, view the District’s Equal Opportunity and Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment and Violence Policy.

Veteran’s Preference: If you are an eligible veteran, please submit a legible copy of your DD214 with your application.

Accommodation: If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email Human Resources at [email protected] or call 763-391-7007.

Background Check Upon Conditional Offer:

Background checks are conducted upon receiving a conditional offer. Employees must complete a background check and are responsible for the background fee. A passing background is required. Criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.