Director - Special Education Instruction and Programs

Job Title: Director - Special Education Instruction and Programs
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt/At-Will
Reports To: Executive Director - Special Education
Pay Grade/Days: 107/226
Dept./School: Administration Building
Date Revised: May 2026

Primary Purpose:
Assist the Executive Director of Special Education in the management and supervision of the district's Special Education instructional programs. This role focuses on the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of specialized instructional modelsincluding Resource, Inclusion, Functional Academics, and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)to optimize academic access and student achievement.

Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Master's Degree or higher, preferably in educational administration or educational leadership.
Mid-Management or Principal Certification preferred.
Certification in Special Education preferred.

Special Knowledge/Skills:
Proven ability to lead, manage, and provide instructional support to multidisciplinary teams and classroom teachers.
Skilled in strategic planning, instructional program development, and implementing educational best practices.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with families, educators, and community stakeholders.
Experience in data-driven decision-making to support student achievement and instructional program design.
Ability to analyze student performance data to tailor interventions and instructional support across specialized programs.
Adept at instructional program evaluation and continuous improvement to enhance service quality.
Deep commitment to equity and inclusive education, ensuring access and support for all students.
Strong fiscal management skills, including budgeting, grant oversight, and resource allocation
Experienced in building partnerships with outside agencies, service providers, and advocacy organizations

Experience
Three or more years of classroom teaching experience.
Five or more years of Special Education experience preferred.
Three or more years of leadership experience preferred.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Curriculum & Instruction: Coordinate with the Executive Director of Special Education to develop, implement, and renew specialized curriculum for Special Education programs (Resource, Inclusion, Functional Academics, and ECSE), ensuring it remains responsive to student needs.
• Program Effectiveness: Support the Executive Director in obtaining and utilizing evaluative findings, including student achievement data, to gauge instructional program effectiveness.
• Low-Incidence Disabilities: Keep abreast of new information, innovative ideas, and instructional techniques for students with low-incidence disabilities (e.g., Functional Academics programs).
• Workplace & Classroom Organization: Assist teachers in organizing classrooms and workspaces for effective learning across programs spanning early childhood (ECSE) to secondary transition.
• Professional Development: Plan and conduct workshops, in-service programs, and monthly meetings to raise the level of understanding regarding low-incidence disabilities and improve professional practice.
• Staff Support & Management: Plan the necessary time, resources, and materials to support subordinate instructional staff in accomplishing educational goals.
• Personnel Development: Participate in the recruitment, selection, training, and placement recommendations for specialized instructional personnel.
• Community & Parent Engagement: Implement educational programs for parents and the community to foster communication, trust, and active involvement with school and district personnel.
• Leadership Integration: Attend District Leadership Team meetings to participate in the development of RDA and District Improvement Plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise Special Education Coordinators (instructional focus) in coordination with the Executive Director of Special Education.
Supervise instructional support staff, specialists, and teachers assigned to specialized programs as directed.
Supervise assigned Special Education administrative support staff.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; work with frequent interruptions, tight timeline pressures, a hectic pace, and multiple concurrent projects. The position requires working with a highly diverse population.

Travel & Hours: Frequent district-wide travel and occasional statewide travel; occasional prolonged and irregular hours.

Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

Non Discrimination Statement