Director of Special Education Services, Systems Improvement & Accountability - Livingston Educational Service Agency : Job Details

POSITION TITLE: Director of Special Education Services, Systems Improvement and Accountability. FSLA: Exempt REPORTS TO: Assistant Superintendent for Special Education UPDATED: June 2025 SALARY/BENEFITS: Per Administrator Handbook SCHEDULE: 12 - month POSITION SUMMARY The intent of this position is to assist the Assistant Superintendent for Special Education with providing strategic leadership to implement a continuum of high quality, equitable, and inclusive special education services and programs in Livingston County that meet the needs of all students. In order to implement robust General Supervision Systems and foster positive educational outcomes for students with disabilities, this position will lead collaborative efforts across departments, coordinate data and accountability, and provide technical assistance and oversight of accountability to ensure compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This position will lead collaborative efforts across departments and cultivate professional learning systems for local districts, public school academies (PSAs), center-based programs, families, and community agencies of Livingston County. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSNote: These duties and responsibilities are judged to be essential functions in terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act or ADA. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by such a person. Other duties may be assigned.

• Co-facilitation of the Livingston ESA Coaching program for new staff to foster continued staff professional growth.
• Coordinate and conduce special education monitoring activities such as desk audits, file reviews, on- site visits, and self-assessments to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Develop and update guidelines to support local districts/PSAs/center-based programs with implementing a continuum of programs and services intended to meet the needs of all students in the least restrictive environment, assure FAPE, and produce rigorous student outcomes.
• Establish effective relationships and communication avenues with local district special education directors/supervisors, PSAs special education contacts, center-based program administrators/principals, and other school leaders.
• Collaborate with advocacy groups, parents, community agencies, members of the community, and local districts/PSAs/center-based programs to problem solve around issues impacting students, families, and the quality of programs and services.
• Work collaboratively and actively with general education and the overall educational system to help reduce the achievement gap between special education and general education.
• Assist the MDE with state complaint and due process facilitation to ensure an accurate representation of information between local districts/PSAs/center-based programs, the complainant, and state complaint investigators.
• Support families, local districts/PSAs/center-based programs, and the community with dispute resolution processes to encourage proactive solutions that result in positive outcomes for students.
• Maintain accurate documentation and evidence in alignment with state and federal recordkeeping requirements, and support data validation and audit activities.
• Monitor and support LEA implementation of corrective actions, improvement plans, and compliance policies, procedures, and practices.
• Provide technical assistance and professional learning on special education compliance, monitoring processes, and evidence-based practices, statewide assessments and data collection.
• Provides leadership, technical assistance, monitoring and support to ensure quality and compliance with the School-Based Medicaid program.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs other related tasks as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Supervises employees in the Special Education Department as assigned. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. QUALIFICATIONS

• Eligible for, or currently in possession of, full Director of Special Education approval.
• Full approval in at least one area of Special Education.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree or equivalent.
• Minimum of three years of successful experience in Special Education Administration.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES and/or REGISTRATIONS

• Possession of a Michigan School Administrator Certificate, pursuant to MCL 380.1246.
• Valid Teaching Certificate with Special Education endorsement; or,
• Certification in an area of Special Education and Supervisor's approval.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of staff, parent, and the general public. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES Must be able to transport between school buildings, districts and cities. Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies. PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires meeting deadlines with severe time constraints, interacting with the public and staff, irregular or extended work hours. The employee is responsible for safety, well-being, and work output of others. Must be able to meet demands from several people. WORK ENVIRONMENT The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. The noise level in this position varies. When visiting a building the noise level will be loud, in the office, quiet and at meetings, moderate. The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District. The Livingston Educational Service Agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies should be directed to the Deputy Superintendent, Employee Services Department.