DIRECTOR, ACCESSIBLE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS SERVICES (AEMS)

Posting number: SSD2026/SAG/224505

Department: SSC Special School District

Job classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Instructor

Summary
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Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities.

The Louisiana Special Schools are experiencing a critical shortage of certified teachers, school counselors, interpreters and educators of the Deaf or hard of hearing.

The LA SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking applicants for 

Director, Accessible Educational Materials Services (AEMS)

The Director, Accessible Educational Materials Services (AEMS) is responsible for the effective management and operations of all agencies programmatic support areas.  He/she provides guidance and support to the leadership of the Louisiana School for the Deaf, Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, and the Special Schools Program.  The Director is charged with leading a staff of professionals that operate specific operational support and agency oversight. These areas include special education, school improvement, federal and state programs, professional development, admissions, compliance, testing, student mental health, related services, and data/research.

 

The position frequently consults and recommends to the Superintendent on issues within the assigned area of responsibility, including but not limited to:
Executive Leadership

• Provides executive leadership for Louisiana's Accessible Educational Materials Services Program. 
• Develops and implements strategic initiatives that improve statewide access to accessible instructional materials. 
• Serves as a member of the Superintendent's Executive Leadership Team. 
• Advises the Superintendent on statewide services, accessibility initiatives, and federal program compliance. 
• Develops long-range strategic plans, goals, objectives, and performance measures for the division. 

Federal Quota Administration

• Serves as Louisiana's Ex Officio Trustee to the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). 
• Oversees administration of the APH Federal Quota Program. 
• Coordinates the Annual Federal Quota Census. 
• Approves expenditures of Federal Quota funds. 
• Ensures compliance with all APH policies, federal regulations, and reporting requirements. 
• Maintains accountability for federally funded materials and equipment. 

Accessible Educational Materials

• Directs statewide acquisition, production, and distribution of Accessible Educational Materials (AEM). 
• Oversees production and distribution of: 
  • Braille instructional materials 
  • Large print materials 
  • Digital accessible media 
  • Audio materials 
  • Tactile graphics 
• Ensures eligible students receive instructional materials in a timely manner. 
• Develops procedures that improve statewide access to accessible instructional materials. 

• Program Administration

  • Oversees operations of the Louisiana Instructional Materials Center (LIMC). 
  • Develops policies and procedures for efficient program operations. 
  • Establishes quality assurance standards for accessible media production. 
  • Ensures continuous improvement of service delivery models. 
  • Monitors program outcomes and operational performance. 

• Financial Management

  • Develops and administers the division budget. 
  • Oversees Federal Quota expenditures. 
  • Identifies grant opportunities and alternative funding sources. 
  • Ensures responsible stewardship of state and federal resources. 
  • Monitors contracts, purchases, and procurement activities. 

• Personnel Management

  • Supervises professional, technical, and administrative staff. 
  • Conducts employee performance evaluations. 
  • Develops staff professional development plans. 
  • Promotes employee engagement and accountability. 
  • Builds a collaborative, student-centered culture. 

• Stakeholder Engagement

  • Collaborates with: 
    • Local Education Agencies (LEAs) 
    • Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs) 
    • Orientation and Mobility Specialists 
    • Families 
    • Institutions of Higher Education 
    • Louisiana Department of Education 
    • American Printing House for the Blind 
    • National organizations serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired 
  • Represents SSD on statewide and national committees. 
  • Delivers presentations and professional development. 

Compliance

• Ensures compliance with: 
  • IDEA 
  • Section 504 
  • Americans with Disabilities Act 
  • Every Student Succeeds Act 
  • APH Federal Quota Program requirements 
  • Louisiana Special Education regulations 
  • Agency policies 

Continuous Improvement

• Evaluates statewide service needs. 
• Develops innovative solutions to improve accessibility. 
• Uses data to guide program improvements. 
• Establishes measurable performance indicators. 
• Promotes equitable educational opportunities for students statewide. 

The Louisiana Special Schools do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in our programs and activities, and we provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  Inquiries regarding non-discrimination may be referred to Human Resources.
  
RELEASE OF ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION INFORMATION: La. R.S. 17:3884(D) requires that any school board wishing to hire a person who has been assessed or evaluated pursuant to the Children First Act, La. R.S. 17:3871, et seq., whether that person is already employed by that school system or not, shall request such person's assessment and evaluation results as part of the application process. Please be advised that, as part of the mandated process, your previous assessment and evaluation results will be requested. You have the opportunity to apply, review the information received, and provide any response or information you deem appropriate.
  
Physical Activity Level:
 The employee must be able to perform assigned duties without significant risk of substantial harm to his/her own safety/security and the safety/security of others. Some work is performed in physically comfortable positions with little or light physical effort, and some work requires moderate effort. Physical requirements are subject to reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA standards.

There is no guarantee that everyone who applies to this posting will be interviewed. Specific information about this job will be provided to you in the interview process, should you be selected.
  
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy. To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities.  Applicants can check the status of their application at any time by selecting the 'Application Status' link after logging into their account.
  
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. You must include all relevant education and experience on your official State application.
  
Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application or faxed to (225) 763-5523. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.

Examples of duties

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Special Education, Education, Educational Leadership, Visual Impairment, Curriculum & Instruction, Public Administration, Rehabilitation Services, Library and Information Science; or a closely related field
• Master’s degree is preferred

Experience

• Five years of progressively responsible educational leadership experience
• Three years supervising professional staff
• Experience administering statewide educational programs
• Experience managing budgets and federal programs
• Experience working with students who are blind or visually impaired

Preferred:

• Experience administering the APH Federal Quota Program
• Experience managing Accessible Educational Materials programs
• Experience with statewide instructional materials services
• Experience in public education or a state education agency

Knowledge:

• American Printing House for the Blind
• Federal Quota Program
• Accessible Educational Materials
• Braille literacy
• IDEA, Section 504, ADA, NIMAS, NIMAC
• Budget administration

Qualifications

Demonstrated Ability to:

• Lead statewide educational programs
• Develop strategic initiatives
• Manage complex budgets
• Supervise multidisciplinary teams
• Build Collaborative partnerships
• Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Interpret federal and state regulations
• Analyze operational and program data
• Lead organizational change
• Delivery high-quality customer service

Supplemental informationSee Job Specification