What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director Special Education Secondary and Transitions position at Anchorage School District?
- A master's degree in special education or a related field from an accredited college or university.
- A current Alaska teaching or special services certificate by start date.
- A current Alaska type B administrative certificate by start date or within six months of hire.
- Five years of increasingly responsible teacher leadership, administrative, and supervisory experience in special education, school, or district leadership, or experience and training that provides the knowledge, skills, and ability to provide effective districtwide leadership.
- Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations and legal mandates, ASD policies, and division procedures governing special education.
- Knowledge of best practices and issues for the provision of special education services, supervision, and evaluation of staff.
- Knowledge of child development and disabilities that may qualify a student for special education services.
- Knowledge of the continuum of special education services available in the Anchorage School District.
- Knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavior (MTSS-B).
- Ability to communicate professionally and effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Evidence of ability to collaborate and work effectively with stakeholders and administrative teams.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
- Ability to demonstrate reliable and regular in-person attendance.
- A valid driver's license and reliable transportation to travel to school locations.
- Knowledge of special education programs and trends that affect student outcomes.
- Knowledge of related services and the ability to evaluate the providers of those services.
- Knowledge of special education principles, practices, and services that affect student outcomes.
- Knowledge of practical supervisory principles and practices that positively affect staff performance.
- Knowledge of fiscal management practices and principles that align with financial parameters.
- Leadership skills in evaluating programs and staff effectiveness and recommending improvements to support professional growth and development.
- Leadership skills in effectively resolving conflicts to minimize distractions in the workplace.
- Leadership skills in coaching, mentoring, and supervising teams to support schools in providing high-quality instruction behavior modifications.
- Leadership skills in coaching, mentoring, and supervising teams for professional growth.
- Ability to organize, prioritize, and maintain effective follow-through processes.
- Leads or co-leads in developing, providing, monitoring, and evaluating special education and related services.
- Directly supervises special education programs and services for students from kindergarten through age 21. This includes Whaley School, Special Schools, and the ACT Program.
- Supervises, evaluates, and offers feedback to assigned special education staff members.
- Responsible for staff development plans, professional development, training for certificated and classified staff, and training on special education topics and technical assistance for principals and other stakeholders.
- Works effectively and collaboratively with other ASD administrators on issues pertinent to the provision of special education services.
- Facilitates meetings with principals, administrators, staff, and parents/guardians to analyze and resolve complex matters.
- Effectively collaborates with other special education team members to implement best practices, division planning, compliance issues, and provision of services.
- Monitors and provides oversight of student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to ensure appropriate accountability and compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
- Prepares and submits various administrative reports as identified by the senior director of Special Education.
- Leads or co-leads the preparation, implementation, and maintenance of department budgets with the senior director of Special Education and the assistant director of Recruitment and Management.
- Participates in the selection process and implementation plan of appropriate curriculum and materials to support all special education programs for students.
- Maintains knowledge and provides interpretation and information on federal and state laws and regulations related to special education and the department goals related to District initiatives and policies.
- Assists administration and principals in selecting, assigning, and evaluating certificated and classified staff when appropriate.
- Fosters partnerships with community agencies and organizations.
- Other duties as assigned by the senior director.
JobID: 22785
Position Type:
Administration/Director Special Ed Secondary Transitions
Administration/Director Special Ed Secondary Transitions
Date Posted:
4/6/2026
4/6/2026
Location:
SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Date Available:
07/01/2026
07/01/2026
Bargaining Unit: Exempt
Work Year: 12 months per year, 12 contract payments
Work Day: 8 hours per day
FTE: Full time, 1.0 FTE
Salary: $141,845
Job Summary
The Director of Special Education Secondary and Transition Services, under the direction, supervision, and evaluation of the senior director of Special Education, supports all functions of the Special Education Department. The director assists the senior director in leading the coordination of special education services through collaboration with parents, community members, and all Anchorage School District staff, including but not limited to, building-based staff, general education departments, and other support departments. The director provides leadership for the teaching and learning of students with disabilities, designs and provides professional development, assists in developing and monitoring budgets, assists in maintaining compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations and ASD standards, and works with the senior director on supervising and evaluating various special education leadership team members, such as assistant directors, coordinators, managers, and teacher experts. This position requires a valid Alaska teaching or administrative certificate and has a retirement association with the Alaska Teachers' Retirement System (TRS).
Job Requirements
The following are required:
The following are preferred:
Essential Job Functions
Physical /Mental Demands
The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with his/her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, the employee must be able to understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to readily recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure. The employee must have the ability to effectively manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment.
The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability.
Work Environment
Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings.
While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Additional Job Information
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
Anchorage School District (ASD) employees must possess the ability to read and write in English. This also includes the ability to communicate in English with school staff, co-workers, and the public; as well as have the ability to comprehend and carry out oral and written directions and understand and follow English instructions and written documents.
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. For certificated positions, this is in addition to the background check conducted through the certification process with the Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).
This position may be required to work in ASD facilities on the military installations (JBER). Please visit the government REAL ID website for additional information.
The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Salary : $141,845