SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Job Description

DIRECTOR, CATEGORICAL & SPECIAL PROJECTS

SUMMARY: Directs, supports plans, organizes, coordinates and administers a variety of education-related categorical and special projects, services, functions, and activities; reviews categorically related grants and special projects, oversees special and categorical projects as assigned; and performs all other related duties.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

50% PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

Provides staff development for teachers and administrators, assesses the specific needs, researches materials and latest studies relevant to appropriate topics, grants and special projects; jointly develops long and short-range training plans with districts/schools/consortia; designs and develops training modules and materials; researches and develops assessment instruments and coordinates data collection processes with districts/school/consortia.

20% DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Monitors and tracks assigned grant development activities; assists managers in reviewing drafts; provides staff training in methods of obtaining funding, and negotiating with funding sources; and provides technical assistance to the Office and school district staffs.

10% DISTRICT SERVICES

Responsible for grants and special projects for school districts as assigned; oversees preparation of related brochures.

10% PROGRAM EVALUATION

Monitors and assists with evaluation of grants and special projects activities by reviewing goals, objectives, and progress of projects and budgets.

5% SUPERVISION

Selects, trains, and delegates responsibility to and evaluates certificated and classified support staff.

5% RELATED DUTIES

Monitors cross-branch activities for county and state mandates, State Department of Education’ directs special projects and performs all other related duties.

DECISION-MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Develops and monitors budgets and expenses as appropriate to projects grants and programs as assigned and in accordance with Office guidelines implements long-term plans in branch: uses non-traditional/creative approaches to problem-solving; recommends new or revised standards, policies, etc.; uses specialized techniques in analysis of collected data; situations are varied and frequently highly complex.

REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Skill in planning, organizing and directing service and staff functions; ability to clearly interpret pertinent laws, codes, court rulings, administrative regulations, and Office procedures; analytical ability to closely review complex and sensitive situations and recommend appropriate forms of action; ability to design, implement, and evaluate program evaluation and reports; advanced skill in communicating in critical situations orally and in writing with business, education, and community leaders; skill in collecting and assembling data, preparing reports, monitoring progress, and analyzing data; skill in budget preparation; skill in personnel management through coordination and cooperation; ability to modify systems procedures and programs within area of responsibility; and advanced skill in adapting style in divergent situations with groups on a frequent basis.

REQUIRED MINIMUM TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND LICENSING: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in education or a related field; a valid K-12 teaching credential, a valid Administrative Services credential, and a valid CA driver’s license.

REQUIRED MINIMUM PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: Five years of job-related experience with demonstrated competence in a position requiring the Administrative Services credential and at least three years of experience as a credentialed public school teacher. Site Leadership experience preferred.

REQUIRED INTERACTION (NON-AUTHORITY): Contacts are usually unstructured and are primarily with high-level internal and external customers and agencies such as technology directors/coordinators, curriculum developers, principals, superintendents, college administrators and faculty, business leaders, and agency representatives; and contacts require planning, promoting, strategy development, decision-making and problem solving.

Directly supervises skilled staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Duties require punctuality and the ability to multi-task. Duties are performed in an office environment while sitting at a desk. Duties are also performed at program sites and in the community, making oral presentations and attending meetings. Incumbents may be required to work a flexible schedule evening and weekend hours. Incumbents are subject to extensive public contact with external agencies and individuals seeking information. Duties require regular driving to program sites within the county.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Incumbents regularly stand and sit for long periods of time; walk short distances on a regular basis; use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard or other office equipment; reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, or crouch to file; speak clearly and distinctly to answer telephones and to provide information; see to read fine print and operate computer; hear and understand voice over telephone and in person; and move and transport materials weighing up to 20 pounds. Incumbents must be poised, professional and report to work five days per week eight hours per day.

Director, Categorical & Special Projects revised 04/06 mlm;
Originally, Director, Instructional Services
Approved by Assistant Superintendent 5/2/06