Director of Early Childhood, Special Education, and Early ACCESS

Des Moines Public Schools is looking for and accepting applications from dynamic leaders in Early Childhood Education for our Director of Early Childhood Programs position.  

The salary range shared below represents the minimum to the mid-point of the salary range.  Candidates offered employment will be compensated based on skills, work experience, and education.  This position will also qualify for a 14% Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) in addition to the base salary.

Des Moines Public Schools offers up to $6,000 towards relocation costs.

Job Title: Director of Early Childhood, Special Education, and Early ACCESS

Department: Teaching and Learning

Reports to: Executive Director of Special Education

Highest Level Supervised: Building Principals

Job Summary:

The Director is responsible for administering, coordinating, and overseeing the district’s early childhood and special education systems for students from birth to age five, ensuring high-quality instruction, legal compliance, and equitable outcomes for all students. This position provides districtwide leadership for early learning and special education services by guiding IDEA implementation, facilitating child find activities, overseeing evaluations, directing IEP development, managing service delivery, and driving continuous improvement efforts. Additionally, the Director ensures adherence to Head Start Performance Standards, Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards, Iowa Early Learning Standards, and all relevant special education laws and regulations, including IDEA and the Iowa Administrative Code.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Supervise, coordinate, and evaluate district early childhood programs including Early ACCESS, Universal Preschool, Head Start, Early Childhood Iowa, Shared Visions, and United Way-funded programs, ensuring compliance.
2. Coach and support school leaders in the following areas:
   1. School culture with a focus on learning, continuous improvement, innovation and collaborative practice.
   2. Systems to monitor and evaluate teacher performance to improve instruction.
   3. Data-driven instructional practices to analyze and improve student learning.
   4. Research-based instructional framework to observe teacher practice, provide feedback, and plan individual and collective professional development to meet identified needs.
   5. Use of financial resources, time, facilities, technology and partnerships innovatively and equitably to accomplish the goal of powerful teaching and learning for all students.
3. Plan and lead professional development for principals and early childhood staff focused on instruction, inclusive practices, IEP implementation, and compliance.
4. Lead and oversee district special education services in compliance with IDEA and Iowa Administrative Rules, including Child Find, evaluation and IEP processes, placement and progress monitoring, and implementation of Iowa’s SDI Framework.
5. Supervise and lead the design and implementation of a healthy early childhood multi-tiered system of support (MTSS), ensuring alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment across general and special education with the Iowa Early Learning Standards.
6. Oversight and ensure compliance for Quality Preschool Program Standards for community partner preschools and facilitate the Early Childhood Advisory Committee and strengthen community-based partnerships.
7. Oversee Medicaid reimbursement processes related to eligible special education services.
8. Oversee enrollment, child find, recruitment, and program expansion to improve access and equity for families.
9. Oversee budgets and ensure compliant use of local, state, and federal funds.
10. Prepare and submit required state and federal reports and grant applications.
11. Maintain professional learning and growth through professional organizations, seminars, course work, and collaboration.
12. Other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree in educational leadership, special education or related field.
• Work Experience: Three years of successful administrative experience or five years of experience in early childhood special education.
• Licensure or Certification: Iowa Administrator license with evaluator approval

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Experience designing and delivering adult professional learning. 
2. Strong supervisory and leadership skills at the building or district level. 
3. Knowledge and experience with the Iowa SDI Framework. 
4. Ability to analyze school, district, and state assessment results to determine school progress.
5. Establish high expectations for inclusive instruction and student success.
6. Advocate for children and families through collaboration with community, state, and national partners.
7. Effective written and oral communication and presentation techniques.
8. Maintain confidentiality.
9. Attend work on a prompt and regular
10. Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other

Physical Requirements:

HR Signature: ________________________________________ Date: 04/16/2026

The Des Moines Independent Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices.  If you have questions, concerns or a complaint related to this policy, please contact Carol Wynn-Green, 2100 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321; phone: 515-242-7709; email: carol.wynngreen@dmschools.org. Complaints can also be directed to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004, (515) 281-4121, or Region VII Office for Civil Rights, Citigroup Center 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475 Chicago, IL 60661-4544.

Salary : $103,064 - $131,435