Director of Elementary Special Education (C129-2627)

POSITION: Director of Elementary Special Education, Office of Special Education

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Special Education

POSITION SUMMARY: The Director of Elementary Special Education oversees and directs all special education programs, services, and personnel across the district's elementary schools. This leadership role is responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant special education services while advancing the district's vision for inclusive education. The Director establishes strategic direction, ensures legal compliance, and advocates for the needs of elementary students with disabilities. This position collaborates with district leadership to develop and implement policies that support exceptional educational experiences for all students with disabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This position requires extensive knowledge of special education law, strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative approach to supporting students with disabilities while maintaining compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Leadership and Compliance

• Provide leadership for all special education programs and services for students across all elementary schools in the district
• Collaborate with Compliance Team to establish and maintain effective policy/procedures and Child Counts
• Serve on district teams and committees, as assigned, to represent special education interests and ensure alignment with district initiatives
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with other departments to support integrated service delivery for students
• In support of the Executive Director of Special Education, identify, prepare, and deliver comprehensive reports, presentations, and communications

Program Development and Improvement

• Direct, oversee, and actively participate in the development and implementation of the department's comprehensive improvement plan
• Supervise and engage in activities related to student eligibility determinations, IEP development, appropriate placements, and transportation services
• Collaborate with relevant departments to design and implement system-wide professional learning initiatives that enhance services and instruction for students with disabilities
• Develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum and instruction initiatives to ensure alignment to district standards, state requirements, and evidence-based practices
• Support the Executive Director to conduct comprehensive special education programming reviews that drive positive student outcomes and inform decisions regarding specialized programming and curriculum materials

Legal and Dispute Resolution

• Coordinate departmental and system-wide responses to legal issues including:
• Due process complaints
• Local dispute resolution requests and mediation proceedings
• Office of Civil Rights complaints
• State complaints
• Resolve complex, sensitive inquiries and complaints through effective stakeholder communication and conflict resolution strategies
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Advanced degree in special education required
• Minimum of five (5) successful years of experience special education settings
• Experience implementing and monitoring compliance with federal and state special education requirements
• Experience with special education data management systems, particularly CT-SEDS or similar systems
• Experience leading professional development initiatives related to special education
• In-depth understanding of IEP development, implementation, and monitoring processes
• Thorough knowledge of FAPE and LRE principles and their practical application
• Experience with special education program development and evaluation, including data analysis to drive program improvement
• Experience with special education legal proceedings and due process
• Outstanding leadership and organizational skills
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
• Strong orientation toward urban school systems preferred

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Connecticut Intermediate Administrative Certification (092) and Connecticut Certification in Special Education (165) are required.

UNION AFFILIATION: Hartford Principals' Supervisors' Association (HPSA)

SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: This is a twelve-month position and the salary is in accordance with the Hartford Principals' and Supervisors' Association 2026-2027 Schedule: Group 12: $149,609 - $162,873.

APPLICATION PROCESS: To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application. To apply, please visit https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford and follow the appropriate link. Internal candidates are advised to use their personal email when applying. Upon submission, candidates’ applications and supporting documents will be reviewed. Successful candidates will be invited to next steps in the selection process.