Who We Are:
The Catholic Children's Home in Alton is sponsored and primarily supported by the Catholic Diocese in Springfield, Illinois, and serves to promote and care for the needs, education and welfare of dependent, neglected or otherwise needy children and youths who need structured care away from their own homes. This service is provided by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield at the Catholic Children's Home without regard to poverty, riches, race, religion or national origin of the youths.
The Catholic Children's Home fulfills its mission by providing a Special Education Day School for children with learning disabilities, developmental and behavioral disorders and through its comprehensive residential services for children in crisis. Its dynamic programming has been continually updated to best meet the changing needs of the communities and the families it serves.
Job Summary:
The Catholic Children’s Home is seeking an experienced Education Director to join our dynamic team. This role will manage and support our Special Education department which provides year-round educational and therapeutic services to students, ages 5 through 21, who due to a variety of social, emotional and/or educational difficulties, have been unsuccessful in public school programs. Students who require a high degree of positive structure and who need intensive, individualized educational and therapeutic services, experience social and academic successes through the Special Education Department Program.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Participate in fundraising and grant applications to expand budget.
- Be responsible for curriculum development.
- Act as a primary liaison for referring school districts.
- Oversee, direct and develop all school/building related operations to assure a safe, clean and attractive school environment for staff and students.
- Act as the Catholic Charities liaison for the Education Department.
- Prepare student Individual Education Plans using POWER IEP.
- Assist in proposing budget in advance of the next fiscal year and project enrollment for upcoming fiscal year.
- Attend Catholic Children’s Home Advisory Board and school committee meetings.
- Work with staff at weekly meetings to establish team goals and student treatment plans.
- Monitor the Special Education department in meeting or exceeding all local, state and federal rules and regulations of special education.
- In close cooperation with the Administrator, develop, direct and oversee all school programs and ensure that all school procedures follow agency and Catholic Charities policies.
- Follow all required procedures for enrollment of students and ensure appropriate student orientation. Assist the teacher and class in preparing for new students.
- Make administrative decisions regarding student placement, transportation and discipline.
- Coordinate state testing
- Review credits and class requirements for each student to graduate.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Must possess a valid Illinois or Missouri driver’s license.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Ability to work with a variety of professionals from various disciplines in carrying out a team approach for each student and treatment planning for all youth.
- Has knowledge of the Special Education system in the state of Illinois.
- Ability to perform duties and supervise with maturity, professionalism and consistency while incorporating the practice of “Management by Walking Around”.
- Ability to encourage and develop professionalism in self and others.
Education and Experience:
- Master’s degree in a human services field from an accredited school.
- Must possess an Illinois Education Administration license.
- At least three years of related experience teaching emotionally disturbed or behavior disordered children.
- A minimum of three years of supervisory & management experience.
- Experience with educational staffing, funding and budgeting.
- Experience with grant writing preferred.
Benefits:
- Health
- Life insurance
- Vacation
- Pension Plan
- Competitive Salary
