Director of Alaska State School for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Sensory Services
The AKSD director is responsible for the administration and oversight of the Alaska State School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AKSD) from preschool through the high school grades. The director is also responsible for the direct supervision and evaluation of various AKSD special education staff and related services providers. This position will research, develop, and implement curriculum and programs related to Deaf Education, as well as collaborate with the school principal in the evaluation of certificated and classified special education/related services (AKSD) staff. Hiring and assignments will be reviewed with the school principal to assure appropriate input and alignment with school staff. This position requires a valid Alaska type B administrative certificate and reports to and is evaluated by the senior director of the Special Education Department. This position has a retirement association with the Alaska Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS).
Job Requirements
The following are required:
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in deaf education, or certificate endorsement in deaf education.
Fluency in English and American Sign Language, demonstrated by the advanced level or above on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or comparable sign language skills assessment.
A valid Alaska type B administrative certificate within three years of hire.
A minimum of three years administrative experience.
A minimum of five years of experience in deaf education.
The following are preferred:
Knowledge of program development.
Evidence of experience with:
Program evaluation
Curriculum implementation
Staff training and supervision
Intensive Needs funding requirements
Deaf-Blind
Evidence of:
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
Extensive experience with conflict resolution skills.
An understanding and the ability to deal with family and school teams’ deaf education/special education issues.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a:
Strong knowledge of school-based services, practices, and trends in the related services disciplines, special education, and deaf education.
Strong knowledge of district, state, and federal special education and deaf education policies, regulations and/or laws, diagnostic prescriptive techniques, and curriculum development.
Ability to use technology for record-keeping and research.
Extensive knowledge of ethical practices and professional standards of all programs assigned within related services, special education, and deaf education.
Essential Job Functions
The responsibilities listed below are representative of the special functions of this position. The successful candidate:
Collaborates with school principals to provide administrative direction, supervision, and support to the AKSD program at each of the designated school sites.
Provides leadership for the AKSD program including staff development, planning, and implementation in conjunction with general education and special education departments.
Provides for interpreter and related services coordination, teacher assistant supervision, and administration support.
Provides for continued development and implementation of the AKSD strategic plan with involvement of all stakeholders.
Collaborates with school sites and the Assessment and Evaluation department on the administration of standardized state and federal tests.
Supervises the AKSD coordinator and provides assistance regarding their duties.
Communicates regularly with identified stakeholders, including building administrators, teachers, staff, parents, Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), and the Alaska Deaf Council.
Represents AKSD at statewide meetings including the Deaf Education Board (DEB) and Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) board.
Collaborates with principals of school sites to support training and supervision of staff and inclusive programming for students.
Attends IEP meetings as schedule allows, oversees IEP compliance, and supports training for IEP compliance as needed.
Supports teachers in the monitoring of student profiles, progress, and achievement.
Serves as a resource person to local and state education agencies concerning services for deaf and hard of hearing students statewide.
Develops and maintains a database of all deaf and hard of hearing students; serves as a resource as needed.
Develops and maintains a statewide database of all teachers and related staff working with deaf and hard of hearing students.
Develops, maintains, and monitors the state ILP or EHDI coordinator to monitor and develop transition plans for children ages 0 through 3 who may attend AKSD at preschool or kindergarten age.
Reports data and staff qualifications (SLPI levels) to the designated districts and DEED on an annual basis.
In conjunction with the senior director of Special Education, develops and manages both general and grant budgets as they relate to AKSD and statewide educational interpreters.
Coordinates, develops, and maintains a plan with EHDI and infant learning programs statewide to assist deaf and hard of hearing students transition to AKSD/ASD and other local school districts for services acting as a liaison between agencies.
Plans and oversees family sign classes, annual retreat(s), deaf artist in residence, MJ Phillips Art competition, Extended School Year services, and other AKSD extra-curricular and cultural events with AKSD staff involvement.
Coordinates with the Student Living Center administration to facilitate students’ school enrollment and jointly resolve student issues. Assists administration and principals in the assignment and evaluation of certificated and classified staff when appropriate.
Is involved in the selection and procurement of a variety of contracted services.
Attends deaf community activities, including those in the evening, as appropriate.
Assists the senior director of Special Education in the development, provision, and monitoring of sensory service programs for BVI, audiology, hard of hearing, and assistive technology within ASD.
Directly supervises BVI, audiology, hard of hearing, and assistive technology sensory service programs for students district-wide
Supervises and evaluates AKSD, BVI, audiology, hard of hearing, and assistive technology program staff, including certificated related service providers, classified, and clerical support staff.
Works collaboratively with other ASD administrators and principals on issues pertinent to the provision of AKSD and sensory services.
Works collaboratively with other special education directors on division planning, compliance issues, and provision services.
Works closely with ASD counsel on legal issues, including due process hearings.
Prepares, implements, and maintains department budgets.
Works with the senior director of Special Education and other directors to comply with state and federal mandates including corrective actions as a result of the state auditing process.