Supervisor of Special Education

Job title: Supervisor of Special Education

About the Role The Supervisor of Special Education at Chester Upland School District leads and coordinates special education programs to ensure compliant, high-quality instructional services for students with exceptional needs. The role provides instructional leadership, supervises staff, and drives continuous improvement across all Special Education programs.

What You'll Do

• Supervises appropriate educational programs for students with exceptional educational needs; plans, organizes, and supervises the activities of instructional and support staff to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of diagnostic and instructional services.
• Promotes compliance with federal and state Special Education laws, regulations, and standards; implements, promotes, and monitors all SPED programs accordingly.
• Provides leadership to maintain existing programs and remedial plans to correct programs that are unsuccessful, inefficient, or ineffective.
• Supervises and coordinates Special Education classroom programs for students who are disabled and for students who are mentally gifted; ensures participation in regular education to the maximum extent appropriate.
• Guides multidisciplinary teams and individualized education programs (IEPs);
• Assesses, coordinates, and facilitates the delivery of instruction in Home and Homebound Instruction for SPED students.
• Participates actively in the evaluation process of SPED teachers, psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, etc., as well as paraprofessionals involved in SPED services; observes staff and provides evaluative information to the Director of Special Education.
• Mentors new SPED teachers, in conjunction with building principals; customizes the Induction program to meet the needs of each non-tenured SPED teacher; utilizes differentiated supervision options.
• Interviews and recommends appointment of SPED paraprofessionals.
• Plans and provides staff development opportunities for SPED staff by assisting in in-service day options and promoting contracted in-service opportunities.
• Transitions students from Early Intervention into school-age programming; establishes and oversees the district's Extended School Year program.
• Enhances the delivery of instruction by helping teachers provide community-based instruction and field trip opportunities for SPED students.
• Directs the placement of move-in SPED students to ensure needs are met and due process procedures have been followed.
• Oversees the maintenance of SPED class rosters so accurate demographic, procedural, and statistical information is readily available.
• Serves as a liaison to families of SPED students enrolled in non-public school programs to ensure equal opportunities for services.
• Resolves, in conjunction with the Director of Special Education, SPED program and compliance issues as they arise.

What We're Looking For

• Advanced Degree in education or related field.
• Valid PA Supervisory Level Certificate in the appropriate field of expertise and/or a PA Elementary or Secondary Principal certificate.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of certified professional experience in the appropriate field.
• Expertise (includes one or more of the following): Oversight of staff; Budget responsibility for programs; Interfaces with customers and stakeholders; Experience collaborating with administration, parents, and professional/non-professional staff; Ability to supervise and work effectively with administrative, professional, and non-professional staff; Proficiency in technology for communication and research; Strong oral and written communication; Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; Leadership qualities; Possession of original certificates of clearance from the State Police, Child Abuse Registry, and PDE FBI.