Senior Director - Evaluations

About the role

The Senior Director of Evaluations leads the District's Child Find and multidisciplinary evaluation engine, overseeing approximately 11 evaluation teams and an evaluation clinic that completes over 6,000 initial evaluations, reevaluations, and IFSPs annually.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage 11 evaluation teams and the evaluation clinic to ensure timely and high-quality evaluations, with supervision of two supervisors.
• Ensure evaluations meet high quality standards and engage and satisfy parents.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate evaluation supervisors and staff; train on evaluation instruments, protocols, and eligibility criteria.
• Coordinate and manage evaluation staff assignments and hiring.
• Direct the District's Child Find (Project Find) system to locate, identify, and evaluate all resident children birth through age 26 with disabilities, including those ages 0-3 and those transitioning from Early On/Part C to Part B.
• Navigate complex, high-stakes matters such as state complaints and interactions with parent advocates.
• Establish, monitor, and improve systems and workflows to ensure evaluations and IFSPs are completed within IDEA and MARSE timelines.
• Develop and recommend policy, procedures, and practices based on relevant laws and board policies.
• Collect and analyze evaluation and Child Find data; produce reports identifying problem areas and compliance "hot spots."
• Communicate with the Executive Director about evaluation and Child Find matters requiring immediate attention.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree, master's degree preferred, valid State of Michigan Special Education Director's or Supervisor's Approval, or eligibility to obtain it, and a minimum of five years of professional experience as a special education administrator, with a minimum of three years directly related to evaluations, school psychology, Child Find, or related-service delivery.

Experience includes expertise in IDEA Child Find mandate, MARSE eligibility criteria, MET process, IFSPs, and evaluation timelines; knowledge of the Birth to Age 26 continuum, including Early On/Part C to Part B transition and evaluation of students in nonpublic and Head Start settings; supervision, coaching, and evaluation of multidisciplinary evaluation staff; proficiency with PowerSchool Special Programs or electronic IEP systems; excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; and strong customer service skills.

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include a master's degree in a related field such as School Psychology, Speech-Language Pathology, Special Education, or a similar discipline.

Skills

Skills include reliability, reliability of transportation, expertise in special education law and evaluation practice, ability to build reliable systems, high standards for compliance and quality, clear communication, use of data to stay ahead of timelines and risk, and proficiency with PowerSchool Special Programs or electronic IEP systems.

Benefits

Benefits include retirement, medical, dental, and vision coverage, and paid time off.

Pay

$99,486 - $134,599 annually.

Schedule

This is a field-based role requiring regular presence at school sites and evaluation center locations.