Executive Director

Executive Director Of Special ServicesThe SouthWest Metro Intermediate District #288 has an opening for an Executive Director of Special Services at Dean Lakes Education Center in Shakopee, MN. SouthWest Metro serves students in 11 member districts and 8 associate member districts across the southwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area with programs in Special Education, Career and Technical Education, Care & Treatment, Adult Education, and Alternative Education. We invite you to embrace your own value, potential, and ability at SouthWest Metro, while empowering others to discover theirs. We work to empower ALL learners to realize their self-worth through personalized educational instruction, connection to resources, and access to a supportive learning environment.The Executive Director of Special Services is an innovative and creative leader with strong communication and collaboration skills who oversees all special education and special services programs within the district, supporting the academic achievement of students. The Executive Director will work collaboratively in partnership with other executive directors and the superintendent along with their teams utilizing generative artificial intelligence and other technologies to build a student-centered, future-focused model of education for Minnesota.General Administration and Management:Advises Superintendent on overall direction of Division of Special Services and is accountable for end results affecting the DistrictProvides administrative leadership and management oversight of the departmentCollaborates with Minnesota Department of Education staff, Regional Low Incidence Facilitators, and others on local, regional and state initiativesConducts meetings and participates in local, regional, and state meetings as necessaryPresents information items at Administration Meetings and Board Meetings as neededAttends Regional and State Special Education Director MeetingsCollaborates and communicates with 17 member and associate member districts in urban, suburban, and rural areas to plan, organize, lead, and implement new and innovative programs to meet the needs of learnersCollaborates with Teaching and Learning to support the professional development needs of the staffProvides leadership in the use of generative artificial intelligence to support staff, students and the communitySupport the planning, organizing, and leading of the READ Act, highly effective PLCs, professional development, staff mentorship, and coaching program, and other district initiativesCoordinate Hiring of Staff, Provide Supervision and Staff Development:Supervise Program Directors and other special services staff as assignedSupervise the recruitment and evaluation of staff members in Special Services and collaborate with the Executive Director of Teaching & Learning on the hiring of content teachers supporting special services programmingCo-leads staff development with the Executive Director of Teaching & Learning for the Special Services DepartmentProvides leadership to members in the area of special education and special servicesOn request, attend or facilitate IEP/IFSP meetings or other information-sharing meetingsCoordinate Appropriate Student Services:Plans, develops, implements, and administers programs and services to meet identified needs, including; development and implementation of new programs and servicesParticipate in the determination of program plans and curriculum requirements for students with disabilities, including developing program goals and objectives that align with the cooperative missionPrepare requests for new, improved or expanded special education programs in relation to funding, staff, facilities, and materials needed supervise implementation of educational programs for students with disabilities, assuring that each student is provided with a free and appropriate public educationProvide Legal Compliance and Monitoring:Monitor and provide technical assistance as needed concerning the IEP/IFSP, due process procedures, and compliance with State and Federal RulesEnsure that all federal, state, and local reporting requirements on special education programs are metDirects fiscal and hiring operations of Special Service Department:Monitor program expenditures making sure they fit within their approved budgetsMaintain contact with member district administrators, state consultants in special education, directors of outside agencies and school programs, and work with outside professional service providers and college personnel on matters of mutual interestQualifications:Master's degree; preferred Ed.S. or DoctorateThree to five years of experience in K12 program development and/or administrationMinnesota Special Education Director licenseInnovative and creative leaderDemonstrated excellence in administrative or supervisory experienceKnowledge of current state and federal special education law and regulationsKnowledge of and demonstrated ability to manage special education fundingKnowledge of current trends in the education of special education students in all disability areasStrong interpersonal communication skills with students, parents, staff, and administrationAbility to establish and maintain productive working relationships with staff, business associates, and general communityAbility to work on multiple tasks and prioritize appropriatelyAbility to communicate effectivelyAbility to exercise initiative and make independent decisions to reschedule work to meet deadlines or to effectively handle emergency workCreating and leading the District visionManaging staff including directing others, delegation and building effective teamsResourcefulness, taking the resources of the District into considerationWorking constructively with othersManaging constituencies effectivelyPay & Benefits:The pay range for this position is $150,000 to $170,000 annually.Competitive and comprehensive benefit package available: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with HSA/FSA options Dependent Care FSA Vacation and Sick Time Personal Time Off Basic Life Insurance and AD&D Voluntary Life Insurance and AD&D 403(b) with a District dollar for dollar match TRA/PERA (Pension Plan) Long Term Disability Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Pet InsuranceApplication Procedure:Apply Online at Selection Procedure Applications will be accepted through August 19th. Those selected for interviews will be contacted.