Director of Special Education - Elementary Schools

• Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of 2024 Best Employers in Arizona.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for several years.
  
  

Employment Type:

Full-Time

Base Salary:

$87,281

Calendar:

12 month

Benefits:

Vacation, sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System, health and life insurance, and more.

Performance Pay:

Available annually up to $1,000

Salary Placement:

$500 per year of administrator experience (administrator contract).

Education:

Additional $65 per credit, not to exceed 60 credits, earned beyond the first master's degree. Advanced Degrees given an additional $1000 for a PhD. or Ed.D.

Overview:

The Director of Special Education of Eastside Elementary Programs provides leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of professional learning, curriculum, and instructional coaching initiatives to support high-quality special education services. This role ensures alignment with district goals, special education compliance requirements, and evidence-based instructional practices to improve student outcomes.

The Director provides leadership and support to school-based administrators and special education teams in the effective implementation of compliant, student-centered special education services. This role ensures the district meets all federal and state special education requirements while promoting best practices that support student success. The Director collaborates with school leadership, educators, families, and community stakeholders to enhance the quality of special education services and strengthen parent engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

This section outlines the primary duties and key responsibilities required for this role, detailing the essential tasks and functions necessary to perform the job successfully, with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Assists in developing and implementing ongoing philosophy and policy for the Special Education Department
• Leads individualized education program (IEP) compliance and monitoring of them
• Develops and implements a vision for special education professional learning and instructional coaching that aligns with district priorities and the needs of students with disabilities
• Uses data to identify professional learning needs and develop targeted strategies to improve instructional effectiveness
• Partners with general education curriculum leaders to ensure inclusive practices and access to rigorous academic content for all students
• Designs, coordinates, and evaluates professional learning opportunities for special education teachers, related service providers, and instructional support staff
• Develops and monitors the Special Education Department Professional Plan
• Monitors and supports the fidelity of research-based instructional interventions across special education programs
• Guides the development and implementation of special education curriculum, ensuring alignment with state standards and district priorities
• Provides coaching and training on IEP development, progress monitoring, and data-driven decision-making to improve student outcomes
• Ensures district-wide compliance with federal and state special education laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
• Provides guidance and directives, when necessary, to school administrators and special education teams on implementing compliant and effective Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Supports schools in conducting timely evaluations, reevaluations, and eligibility determinations for students with disabilities
• Strives for continuous improvement by analyzing data, evaluating systems and timelines, and making necessary recommendations to enhance procedures and strategies
• Supervises assigned personnel to include hiring and performance evaluation responsibilities
• Monitors and analyzes special education data to ensure appropriate service delivery and compliance with reporting requirements
• Provides direct support to school-based administrators and special education teams in meeting the diverse needs of students with disabilities
• Guides school teams in implementing evidence-based instructional strategies and accommodations to improve student outcomes
• Serves as a liaison between the district and families to support effective communication and collaboration in the special education process
  
  

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, an applicant must meet the following required qualifications. Verification of these required qualifications is necessary.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree education or related field
• Arizona principal or supervisor certificate
  
  

Experience

• Three years of special education experience
• Administrative internship experience
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

It is preferred that the applicant possesses the following qualifications; however, the following qualifications are not required to be eligible for this position.

Education

• Master’s degree in special education, educational leadership, or related field
  
  

Experience

• School leadership experience in a public school district
• District-level leadership experience in a public school district
  
  

Skills and Comptencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications for this job description represent the knowledge, skill, abilities, and other characteristics necessary for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Understanding and demonstrating the essential attitudes and skills of the Mesa Public Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate
• Understanding current strategies and best practices related to the area of assignment
• Making data-informed decisions and seeking continuous improvement
• Cultivating a culture of high performance
• Engaging and fostering positive and productive relationships with various stakeholders such as students, teachers, administrators, parents and the community
• Having planning, decision-making, time management, and organizational ability
• Developing and providing professional learning to various stakeholders
• Demonstrating effective educational leadership in the profession through membership and participation in the community and in the professional organizations as well as activities with students, teachers, community and individual projects
• Being forward-looking in educational views and evidence of a willingness to accept change
• Demonstrating competence in planning and developing educational facilities
• Interpreting federal/state laws, Governing Board policies and regulations, and working condition agreements
• Facilitating and/or participating in collaborative teams
• Having effective skills in interpersonal relationships, communication, organization, leadership, decision making and problem solving
• Researching, identifying, and implementing new concepts and practices
• Forecasting trends
• Planning and implementing short- and long-range goals
• Stringently maintains confidentiality
• Leveraging the use of Microsoft, Google, and other programs/systems
  
  

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

This section outlines the work environment and physical conditions associated with this role. It includes information on whether the job involves working in an office, classroom, or other settings, and if there are physical activities like standing, walking, or lifting.

• The role requires standing, walking, sitting, and using hands for various tasks.
• Occasional reaching, stooping, or lifting up to 25 pounds may be necessary.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Duties are typically performed in an office environment.
• Role may require working beyond typical work hours, including evenings and weekends, with little or no advanced notice.
• Driver’s license is required, as travel to sites throughout the school district is expected
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.