Director of Special Education

Meeker & Wright Special Education Cooperative #0938
Position Title: Director of Special Education
Date Posted: April 25, 2024
Assignment Location: Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative Seven Member Districts including: Annandale, Dassel-Cokato, Delano, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Litchfield, Maple Lake, and Rockford
Hours per Day: 8
Schedule: 260 days (July 1 – June 30)
Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2024
Salary: Commensurate with education and experience
Benefits: Comprehensive and generous benefits package including paid time off, health, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, state retirement, optional 403(b) with matching funds, employee assistance program, wellness benefits and more!

POSITION OVERVIEW
Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Director of Special Education is responsible for providing leadership to member districts in implementing and maintaining Special Education programs and services in conformity with district, state, and federal objectives and laws. 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 MAWSECO member districts.

Essential duties outlined below are intended as “representative” examples of the level, nature, and decision-making expectation of positions assigned to this classification. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides direction, support, and consultation to MAWSECO member districts in collaboration with the Executive Director and Special Education Supervisors. 
• Monitors and ensures compliance with legal requirements and due process procedures.  
• Performs supervisory responsibilities for all MAWSECO staff directly supervised. 
• Monitors, analyzes, supports, and makes recommendations in the area of resource management. 
• Assumes leadership roles as assigned by the Executive Director.  
• Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required. 

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SPECIALIZED SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE

• Laws, rules, statutes and guidelines related to special education programming and requirements
• Knowledge of medical assistance requirements, eligibility requirements and service requirements
• Instructional and intervention strategies, concepts, principles, methods, best practices and trends dealing with issues of child development, special education and instructional methods and resources
• Knowledge of conflict resolution strategies and behavioral interventions
• Knowledge of health and safety rules, regulations and requirements
• Cooperative policies and procedures in the area of budgeting, human resources, and general administrative policies, procedures, and operations
• State reporting and funding requirements for special service programs
• Knowledge of resources, service alternatives and options available to children with special needs
• Fundamentals of management and supervisory principles, standards and practices

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• 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
• Skilled in classroom management
• Organizational planning and conflict resolution
• Presentational skills
• Delegating, evaluating, and supervising licensed instructional staff in assigned program areas
• Skilled in evaluating staff, staff development, coaching and leadership
• Organizing and presenting complex concepts, issues and ideas to the public, staff and member districts in an understandable manner
• Monitoring and ensuring due process policies, procedures, documentation and reporting requirements
• Recommending and administering budgetary and purchasing requirements for assigned areas of responsibility
• Ability to deal effectively and appropriately with parents, students, staff, administrators, providers, MN Department of Education, and member district staff over instructional needs, curriculum, due process, services, concerns or problems of the students and/or assigned programs.  Communication skills require persuasion, negotiation, and management skills in resolving conflicts confronting assigned program areas of responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Special Education/Administration or closely related field and at least 5 years management and leadership experience in the areas of special education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Requires State of MN Administrative Licensure as a Director of Special Education.  
• Requires a valid MN driver’s license.  

ABOUT MAWSECO
MAWSECO is a joint powers cooperative of seven-member school districts (Annandale, Dassel-Cokato, Delano, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Litchfield, Maple Lake and Rockford) that have joined together to provide services in the area of special education. The mission of the Cooperative is to provide quality special education leadership, services, and support to its seven-member school districts’ staff, students and families as well as other agencies/districts that purchase its services. The MAWSECO central office is located in Howard Lake, MN which is west of the metro and south of St. Cloud.

Mission: The Mission of the Cooperative is to provide quality special education leadership, services and support that always meets or exceeds the expectations of those we serve. 

Vision: Effective communication, positive and proactive problem-solving, fiscal responsibility and a strong commitment to personnel development will be employed to provide cutting edge resources and information as well as flexibility to address changing needs.

HOW TO APPLY
Meeker and Wright Special Ed Coop #938 utilizes an online application system. Please visit the site to apply:  https://www.applitrack.com/mawseco/OnlineApp/  Application materials must include a MAWSECO Online application, letter of introduction, resume, professional references, and educational transcript(s). If you have questions or concerns regarding the application process, please contact Elizabeth Sullivan (612) 417-6491 or email at: esullivan@mawseco.k12.mn.us

APPLICATION TIMELINE
Applications must be received by May 15, 2024.

POSITION QUESTIONS
Contact Melissa Hanson, Executive Director, at (320) 543-1122 or email at: mhanson@mawseco.k12.mn.us

MAWSECO is an equal opportunity employer