Director of Special Education - (start date 7/1/2025)

HARRISONBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:       Director of Special Education

PRIMARY FUNCTION:  Administer and supervise special education program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five years of successful teaching and leadership experience in public education, three years of which shall have been in special education or related area.
• Have a Master's Degree in special education or have completed courses at the graduate level that are pertinent to special education services.
• Virginia Department of Education certification in Administration (concentration in Special Education in desirable)
• Leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with students, teachers, parents, administrators, and the community.
• Proficiency in the use of a variety of technology including Microsoft Office, email and information system applications.
• Proficiency in public speaking and written communication to express and/or exchange ideas.
• Emotionally mature, objective, and sensitive to people and their concerns. Able to handle responsibility, work independently, and maintain collaborative working relationships with students, families and co-workers.

REPORTS TO:     Chief Officer of Student Support

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Administers and supervises all programs and related special education services, including transportation, and keeps records and reports related to the same.
• Supervises the development and/or revision of curriculum in the areas of special education in collaboration with principals and teachers.
• Serves as the division Section 504 Coordinator
• Serves as Co-Title IX Officer for claims of harassment and/or discrimination.
• Keeps the Chief Officer of Student Support and other division administrators informed of the progress, effectiveness and needs of the division's instructional programs in areas of primary function.
• Collaborates with the Chief Officer of Student Support in the supervision of psychologists and school social workers as it relates to the assessment of students with disabilities. 
• Prepares and administers the budget and other related financial matters for special education services
• Maintains current knowledge of the Standards of Learning and the implications for special education
• Ensures compliance state and federal regulation, interpreting guidance, and developing process and procedure as it relates to special education services
• Interprets educational philosophy, instructional programs and policies of the school division in areas of primary function to staff, parents and citizens.
• Records observations of selected teachers, as requested, on an instructional observation form designed for the division and holds follow-up conferences.
• Initiates and coordinates staff development to foster professional growth in special education programs.
• Coordinates all related services (i.e., speech, OT, PT, vision, hearing, etc.). 
• Consults regularly with principals and other administrative staff on new programs needed for students with disabilities.
• Serves as a resource consultant for administrators, teachers, parents and community agencies related to special education services.
• Collaborates with administrators and other administrative staff in the evaluation of special education teachers.
• Assists in planning for regional programs to serve students with disabilities. 
• Supervises and evaluates the special education department staff at the central office.
• Attends school board meetings and delivers reports on the status of programs and services in areas of primary functions at the request of the Chief Officer of Student Support. 
• Oversees the writing, implementation, and data gathering related to IEPs and 504 plans.
• Coordinates division special education hiring team responsible for identifying candidates that best meet program needs
• Facilitate local special education advisory committee (at least 4 times annually)
• Maintains appropriate state licensure; assumes responsibility for and participates in staff development (professional growth) and training to keep skills up-to-date.
• Follows appropriate safety procedures and properly maintains equipment.
• Responds to telephone, email and in-person requests, inquiries and questions in a professional, polite and responsive manner.
• Demonstrates good attendance and punctuality.
• Maintains confidentiality in all matters.
• Models non-discriminatory practices in all activities.  Respects the worth, dignity and individual differences of others.
• Complies with and supports school division policies, regulations and procedures.
• Gathers and analyzes special education data required for local, state and federal reporting.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Officer of Student Support. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Light work, lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently.  Stand, walk, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel or crouch.  Travel to schools throughout the division and central office is required.  Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.  Regular contact with staff members and administrators is required.  Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and meet the physical demands.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:   250 Day Contract (July 1st – June 30th)

FLSA STATUS:    Exempt

SALARY SCALE:   Administration

EVALUATION:   Performance on this job will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on evaluations of administrative personnel.

The above is intended to describe the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this position.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of this position.

Revised 5-17-2023

Revised 2-21-2025

Salary : $103,367 - $145,747