Executive Director of Operations: Special Education

Executive Director of Operations: Special Education
OFFICE OF SPECIALIZED SERVICES
440 N. BROAD STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19130

Central Office

Job Number: 4600183769

Start Date:

Open Date: 07/18/2019

Closing Date: 08/31/2019

Job Summary
Provides leadership in the development, management, and coordination of the operations of the special education function of the School District of Philadelphia (SDP). Oversees the development and integration of the key operational activities of the special education function to include compensatory education, financial planning and analysis, transportation logistics, personnel recruitment and retention, charter school sub-grants and related operations. Works with program specific service delivery staff to ensure operational activity is efficient, effective and coordinated to ensure optimal services to students. Ensures that critical managerial control points, management reports, and designed responses are working as designed. Directly manages the operational activities of the office to include compensatory education, financial planning, and analysis functions. Assesses departmental operations to ensure their compliance with School District policies and procedures and local, state and federal policies. Coordinates office activities with those of other SDP offices to ensure integration for maximum service delivery and for compliance. Works closely with the Office of General Counsel to develop and administer a coordinated and effective compensatory education settlement process and to ensure compensatory resources are administered effectively.
Essential Functions

• Designs, develops, and manages the core operational functions and staff of the Office of Specialized Services.
• Ensures the managerial control environment is functioning as designed to support program operations to improve the student and parent experience; ensures that critical managerial control points, management reports, and designed responses are working as designed.
• Provides for the analysis and interpretation of governing regulations for federal and non-federal special education requirements to ensure that policies and procedures adhere to requirements, or to develop new policies and procedures consistent with requirements.
• Works with subject matter experts to develop and implement components of an integrated service delivery model.
• Provides periodic status reports and trends analysis to the Deputy.
• Provides operational and reporting support to ensure program and student service delivery staff can fulfill their responsibilities.
• Ensures data integrity through the development and oversight of a proactive data management strategy.
• Develops and delivers training programs so that office personnel have a thorough understanding of their roles and responsibilities regarding operational support activities in compliance with sound management practices and in compliance with federal and non-federal rules and regulations.
• Serves as the liaison to the District General Counsel for purposes of compensatory education negotiation, settlement, and subsequent management practices.
• Provides technology access, maintenance and reporting support for the Office of Specialized Services.
• Oversees the transportation of students with special needs to and from their placements.
• Supervises the development, recruitment and retention of office personnel.
• Serves as the special education liaison to state and federal offices to address compliance issues and seek guidance to ensure the District has and continues to receive appropriate funding.
• Coordinates grantor monitoring visits and external audits to ensure compliance in an audit ready status.
• Analyzes state and federal legislation for implications regarding special education compliance and for the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activity.
• Establishes and directs procedures to ensure that office operating procedures are organized to effect efficient and accurate results; oversees the creation of specific instruments and forms and supervises their utilization in order to standardize and formalize relatively routine procedures pertaining to compliance.
• Supports the office regarding the development and delivery of training programs so that personnel have a thorough understanding of their roles and responsibilities regarding compliance with state and federal requirements, and with the established policies and procedures of the office.
• Manages available resources and coordinates all activities to ensure the timely completion of assigned responsibilities.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration or a related field.
• Ten years of full-time, paid, professional experience in operations, business administration, data management, compliance, or organizational development, three of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity and have included responsibility for planning, developing, implementing and monitoring programs and compliance plans.

OR

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law.
• Seven years of full-time, paid, professional experience in operations, business administration, data management, compliance, or organizational development, three of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity and have included responsibility for planning, developing, implementing and monitoring programs and compliance plans.
• All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of :

• the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of federal education grant programs.
• the needs of students from diversified backgrounds and various learning abilities and styles.
• federal, state and local policies, rules, laws, and regulations pertaining to state and federal education programs.
• multiple operational functions and principles, including finance, customer service, data analysis and employee management.
• the methods and techniques to effectively manage staff.

Demonstrated ability to :

• maintain complete and accurate records and statistics and to develop meaningful reports from them.
• develop and implement policies and procedures and to successfully effectuate change.
• plan and manage operational processes for maximum efficiency and productivity.
• analyze performance metrics to inform decision-making.
• assess the effectiveness of programs and activities.
• interpret educational policies and procedures.
• develop long-range plans and annual budgets.
• effectively express ideas, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Additional Job Information: This is a 12-month, non-represented position. The salary grade for this role is 4032. Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Please note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview.

DISCLAIMER: Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Please note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview. Additional factors, including, but not limited to, disciplinary action, ability to follow directions, punctuality, and professional conduct will be considered in the evaluation process.

The selected candidate must have no pending disciplinary action or anecdotal record on file and have not been subject to any disciplinary action within the past eighteen (18) months. In addition, the candidate must have an excellent record of attendance and punctuality during the last three (3) years (defined as no more than eighteen (18) occasions of lateness or absence for personal illness within this period of time with the exception of one extended long-term absence)