SUMMARY
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Principal/Director of Education serves as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting the San Diego Center for Children. The Principal/Director of Education is responsible for providing leadership, overall direction and management of the non-public school programs for the San Diego Center for Children in a manner consistent with achieving overall organizational objectives and following pedagogical and educational best practices to serve the needs of the student population.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (OTHER DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED)
Promote Academic Excellence and Responsive Services:
- Responsible for the overall direction and management of the San Diego Center for Children Academy.
- Ensure educational services are provided in a manner necessary to ensure that the referral, care, education and support of students and families is consistent with meeting the needs of the population served within reasonable resource constraints.
- Promote and support integration of the school and all SDCC clinical programs including Residential and related services.
- Ensure educational programming and curriculum meet and exceed requirements of federal, state and local education oversight bodies. Be informed of state-of-the-art education programs and recommend those that best fit SDCC to the Clinical Oversight Committee.
- Write and update program statements as required by referral sources and/or as needed to promote program objectives.
- Attend and actively participate in quality assurance and program management meetings to ensure quality improvement objectives are met.
- Monitor, initiate and revise long term goals, objectives and action plans to be in line with WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) standards.
- Ensure that all aspects of the educational experience are in sync with WASC standards.
Leadership, Management and Compliance Oversight:
- Manage critical resources including program staff to ensure program objectives are achieved and generally support the overall goals and objectives of the organization.
- Develop program budgets and ensure efficient use of program resources, compliance with budget parameters, and fiscal responsibility. Interface with finance department to ensure payment for educational services are accurate and maintained on a current basis.
- Ensure ongoing supervision of staff, staff accountability and clear lines of authority.
- Interview and select personnel to fill open positions in collaboration with human resources.
- Perform progressive discipline interventions with personnel, if necessary, whenever specific performance objectives are not met.
- Coordinate and lead educational management and education staff meetings. Ensure staff team building on an ongoing basis.
- Develop systems and ongoing training which support regular, positive written and personal communication between staff and referral sources and school districts.
- Interface with program support departments and personnel to ensure program support needs are met. Program support departments include student services, accounting, facility management, marketing, human resources, general administration, etc.
- Track and report data on admissions, terminations/discharges, contract compliance, program quality assurance, professional standards, evaluation and continuous improvement.
- Monitor compliance with educational law and standards including required documentation.
- Ensure renewal of necessary licenses and certifications.
- Represent the Academy at CAPSES.
Community Engagement:
- Engage in program planning and expansion through identifying, establishing and maintaining referral sources to ensure maximum use of program resources.
- Develop and/or maintain community and professional linkages in order to meet program objectives.
- Develop and/or maintain existing contracts with various vendors for adequate funding of program operating expenses.
- Coordinate efforts to engage students families and promptly address any concerns or complaints following the Centers guidelines and protocols.
- In collaboration with the CEO and the Development Department participate in efforts to promote the Academy and secure external funding through grants and philanthropy.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly supervises the Academy's Management Team and Administrative Support Staff. Ultimately responsible for the performance of all of the staff that report to the management team. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; motivating, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
The Administrator must hold or be in the process of obtaining one of the following:
- An administrative credential granted by an accredited postsecondary educational institution and two years of experience with pupils with disabilities.
- A pupil personnel services credential that authorizes school counseling or psychology.
- A license as a clinical social worker issued by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
- A license in psychology regulated by the Board of Psychology.
- A master's degree issued by an accredited postsecondary institution in education, special education, psychology, counseling, behavioral analysis, social work, behavioral science, or rehabilitation.
- A credential authorizing special education instruction and at least two years of experience teaching in special education before becoming an administrator.
- A license as a marriage and family therapist certified by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
- A license as an educational psychologist issued by the Board of Behavioral Sciences; or
- A license as a professional clinical counselor issued by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
- State of California Special Education Credential.
- State of California Administration Credential.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive management experience in school programs.
- Minimum of 5 years of special education experience.
- Certification of SPA (Safe & Positive Approaches).
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR).
- Standard First Aid.