JOB TITLE: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

JOB CODE: 24350

DEFINITION: This is responsible professional educational, administrative, and management work in the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The employee in this job assists in planning, developing, and directing the operation of a statewide special education program for children in public and private schools within the commonwealth. Work involves responsibility for participating in the development of program policies, goals, and priorities; and assisting in directing and evaluating special education program services. Work also involves the responsibility for formulating short and long-range fiscal policies and plans for special education programs; and for developing and managing fiscal review plans for local, intermediate unit, and statewide special education services. The employee participates in major decisions affecting bureau activities, budgets, plans, and project approval/disapproval and maintains a collaborative relationship with the bureau director. Supervision is exercised over professional and administrative employees. Work is performed independently and is reviewed through conferences and written reports to determine achievement of goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Assists in planning, developing, policy making, and managing statewide programs of special education services for children with disabilities in public and private schools within the commonwealth.

• Participates in the development of program policy, goals, and priorities; assists in directing special education program services and evaluating results obtained.

• Participates in developing short and long range special education program plans.

• Coordinates the development, review, amendment, and evaluation of fiscal plans and subsidy budgets for special education at the district, intermediate unit, and state levels.

• Assists in the development and review of special education regulations and standards.

• Collaborates with the bureau director in the management of the bureau.

• Coordinates and monitors bureau activities and keeps director abreast of progress.

• Interprets educational and administrative policies to education specialists and practitioners, members of educational groups and organizations, and the general public.

• Assists local school districts in interpreting and implementing state and federal rules and regulations regarding special education programs.

• Assists in developing legislative changes and evaluating legislative proposals regarding special education programs.

• Collaborates with stakeholders, such as personnel in other bureaus, state and federal agencies and organizations, school systems, higher education institutions, and private and public organizations and groups to develop and promote bureau and departmental goals and initiatives.

• Directs the administrative and fiscal operations of the bureau.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational and organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and current developments in the field of education.

• Knowledge of modern teaching principles and methods.

• Knowledge of the theories and principles involved in educational programs for children with disabilities.

• Knowledge of regulations, standards, and federal and state laws concerning special education programs.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.

• Ability to read, interpret, and implement policies and procedures.

• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.

• Ability to evaluate program and staff effectiveness.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These may not

be used for merit system evaluation or examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.)

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

• Ability to develop and implement administrative procedures and operations, and to evaluate their efficiency.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 3

• One year as a Special Education Manager (commonwealth title);

or

• Seven years of professional experience in the field of special education, which includes four years of experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training, which includes four years of administrative or supervisory experience in special education.