Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design
State Education Resource Center - Waterbury, Connecticut, us, 06706![State Education Resource Center](/api/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fgeneral-board-default.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdesk-360x180.webp&w=640&q=75&f=webp)
Work at State Education Resource Center
Overview
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Overview
Date Posted:6/20/2024
Location:Waterbury, CT
Closing Date:
The State Education Resource Center (SERC), a quasi-public agency serving the State of Connecticut, is seeking candidates to fill the full-time Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design position. This position will be primarily responsible for collaborating with internal and external partners to develop, support, and sustain the agency's infrastructure for special education programs and services, and, in the absence of both the Executive and Associate Directors, the incumbent may be responsible for all facets of SERC's operations. This includes program design, coordination, and monitoring, professional learning, personnel, and policy development. This position reports directly to the Associate Director. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position.
SERC's mission is to provide resources, professional development, and a centralized library to educators, families, and community members in collaboration with the CT State Board of Education and other partners. SERC believes that all students have the right to access opportunities and experiences that reflect and respect their differences and abilities. Research indicates that educational outcomes for students of color, students who are English learners, and students with disabilities continue to lag behind other students' outcomes. SERC's consultants and staff, in collaboration with our partners in school districts and organizations, build the capacity of educators, service providers, and families to meet the diverse needs of our student population.
General Summary
The SERC Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design will collaborate with the Executive Director by providing leadership and guidance, both internally and externally, to ensure effective and efficient implementation of SERC's vision and mission. Furthermore, the position will work directly with the Board of Directors and SERC's Leadership Team to lead, implement, and assess SERC's sustainability plan and long-range system goals designed to diversify the agency's funding sources. The Director will lead collaborative efforts with the Special Education Division Director, Bureau of Special Education, Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), and other CSDE personnel regarding the design, efficacy, sustainability, impact, and implementation of SERC's program offerings.
Essential Job Functions
The SERC Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design provides a wide range of services in collaboration with the Leadership Team. Applicants must have the ability to complete the following essential job functions:
Innovation
Keep current on national and state program innovations and policy changes to anticipate the needs of the field.
Planning
Operate in collaboration with the CSDE and other student-serving agencies around the development and implementation of programs to serve all students, with a particular focus on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) andServe as the agency's subject matter expert to drive targeted inclusion, racial equity, and social justice programming locally and statewide.
Program
Maintain an effective liaison with the CSDE, school districts, community agencies, and other education-related organizations in order to build partnerships that effectively support Connecticut's children and families.
Marketing
Support the development and implementation of SERC's five-year strategic marketing plan.
Supervisory
Supervise staff in the development, coordination, and implementation of professional learning programs, including meeting regularly with staff for communication, goal-setting, progress monitoring, andProvide a continuum of leadership to ensure the professional growth of staff.
Finance
Manage and monitor all federal and state program budgets under the supervision of this position, including monthly and annual reporting to the CSDE and other granting agencies.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Responsibilities
The SERC Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design encompasses a host of responsibilities. Duties include, but are not limited to:
Program
Engage in ongoing evaluation, including coordination of Results Based Accountability using program data review and analysis of grant compliance, submission of operational and progress reports to the Associate Director, and recommending and implementing programmatic change as necessary;Oversee, coordinate, and facilitate the development and presentation of technical assistance documents and pieces of training as related to either the special education programs or other federal and state grants;Ensure that best practices in the field of inclusion, racial equity, and social justice are accessible; andMaintain awareness of and involvement in national and state professional organizations devoted to advancing technical assistance delivery and professional learning.
Marketing
Leverage communication, marketing, and branding efforts to include SERC's social media platforms for enhancing brand awareness and stimulating new interest among educational institutions, communities, and other stakeholders as a means to promote interest and diversify SERC's funding sources;Communicate with external constituents to promote SERC's opportunities, which may include district superintendents, key district office personnel, school principals, and heads of appropriate educational agencies and community organizations; andRepresent SERC at conferences, community events, etc., to promote SERC's vision and mission.
Supervisory
Coordinate staff assignments, identify staff needs, and facilitate supervisee professional growth by utilizing a systems approach to ensure quality work and improvement;Manage staff performance through the use of the agency's evaluation system andIn conjunction with Human Resources, assist in the recruiting, interviewing, screening, and recommending of qualified candidates for agency positions.
Additional duties may, at times, be required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
Adult learning theory, culture design, and transformation, with a focus on change management experience, implementing educational initiatives and programs;Best practices to inform SERC's Inclusion, Racial Equity, and Social Justice agenda;Leading large complex projects, working in a fast-paced environment, handling multiple and changing priorities simultaneously, andNavigating complex organizations and making the right connections to drive work forward while anticipating potential shifts in work and performance;
Skill In:
Developing and managing program services and gaining support from stakeholders in a complex environment;Developing a measurement strategy to monitor and drive success and hold SERC accountable for expected results;Developing a network and association with educators in state schools and districts;Planning, executing, and overseeing professional development and training opportunities;Administering programs, interpersonal and consulting skills; needs assessment, problem-solving, collaboration, and supervision to drive results; andWorking in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.).
Ability to:
Lead individuals and teams effectively;Develop creative and innovative learning opportunities;Develop relationships and design training/technical assistance necessary to engage participants in meaningful professional development;Professionally represent SERC at work-related functions and in the community, to include presenting information to diverse audiences;Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in diverse situations;Define problems, collect data, and establish facts to draw valid conclusions as a change agent; andLead multiple projects concurrently while paying close attention to detail.
The ideal applicant must have demonstrated effectiveness in a collaborative, highly team-oriented environment yet possess initiative, self-motivation, and work with minimal supervision.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position will be responsible for the supervision of a team of consultants.
Work Environment
The Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design will operate in a professional office and virtual environment. Professional business attire will be required. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones. Off-site requirements are specific to workshops, training, or school and community work. This position routinely requires in-state and, occasionally, out-of-state travel.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; be mobile; use hands or fingers; handle or feel, reach with hands and arms and lift/carry items. The availability of transportation is required to attend off-site work requirements.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This role is a full-time, exempt position. Days and work hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasionally, weekend or after-hours work may be necessary.
Education and Experience
Master's degree in Special Education, Education, or related field AND ten (10) years of professional experience in the field of education, preferably with an administrative or central office background, AND five (5) years of experience in a supervisory position, required. Or an advanced degree in the field of Special Education and experience in the education of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment AND ten (10) or more years of experience serving as a regular or special education teacher or administrator, AND five (5) years of experience in a supervisory position, preferred.
Salary
$115,000*All new hires will start at the first step of the salary range; non-negotiable.
This position will remain open until filled. A thorough, updated resume, cover letter, and at least three professional references submitted with the application package are required for consideration. Apply online at www.ctserc.org (select
Employment
under the
about
tab). SERC reserves the right to substitute years of experience for certification or degrees. SERC may expand inquiries into materials submitted in support of an applicant's candidacy without further permission from the applicant.
Disclaimer
SERC reserves the right to substitute years of experience for certification or degrees. SERC may expand inquiries into materials submitted in support of an applicant's candidacy without further permission from the applicant. SERC reserves the right to modify compensation, benefits, minimum qualifications, desired skills, and job duties for this position at any time. A complete satisfactory background check is required.
SERC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages the application of individuals from racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from persons with disabilities.
Attachment(s):
Vacancy Announcement Director of Special Education and Instructional Design.pdf