2025-26 Director of Special Education - DAC

Director of Special Education

for the 2025-26 school year

Starting Salary: $96,864.00

Start Date: 7/1/2025

Purpose Statement

The job of Director of Special Education is done for the purpose/s of directing special education programs and services; providing information and serving as a resource to others; achieving defined objectives by planning, evaluating, developing, implementing and maintaining services in compliance with established guidelines; and serving as a member of the leadership team.

This job reports to Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction.

Essential Functions

Collaborates with internal and external personnel (e.g. other administrators, state agencies, public agencies, community members, etc.) for the purpose of implementing and/or maintaining services and programs.

Compiles data from a wide variety of sources (e.g. staff, assessments, IEPs, public agencies, etc.) for the purpose of analyzing issues, ensuring compliance with organization policies and procedures, and/or monitoring program components.

Coordinates program components, support needs and material for the purpose of delivering services which conform to established guidelines.

Directs department operations; the maintenance of services, and the implementation of new programs and/or processes for the purpose of providing services within established timeframes and in compliance with related requirements.

Implements assigned programs and/or projects for the purpose of conforming to district and state curriculum and ensuring compliance with legal guidelines.

Manages the special education department for the purpose of delivering services which conform to established guidelines.

Monitors budget allocations, expenditures, federal and state grants, fund balances and related financial activities for the purpose of ensuring that allocations are accurate, revenues are recorded, expenses are within budget limits and/or fiscal practices are followed.

Participates as a member or facilitator in meetings, workshops and seminars (e.g. training, financial procedures, Board presentations, staff development for teachers and administrators, etc.) for the purpose of identifying issues, developing recommendations, providing training, and conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.

Performs personnel administrative functions (e.g. hiring, staffing, interviewing, evaluating, misconduct, supervising, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining adequate staffing, enhancing productivity of personnel and achieving objectives within budget.

Prepares a wide variety of often complex materials (e.g. long and short range plans, grant proposals, budgets, funding requests, reports, analyses,state mandated reports, Board presentations, recommendations, procedures, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities and issues, meeting compliance requirements, providing audit references, making presentations, and/or providing supporting materials for requested actions.

Researches a variety of topics required to manage assignments (e.g. relevant policies, new federal and state statutes, staffing requirements, financial resources, etc.) for the purpose of developing new programs/services, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, securing general information and/or responding to requests.

Responds to issues involving staff, parental concerns, state department complaints, conflicts in policies and regulations, community concerns, parental requests that may result in some negative impact and/or liability if not appropriately addressed for the purpose of identifying the relevant issues and recommending or implementing a plan of action that will efficiently resolve the issue.

Supervises special education staff for the purpose of monitoring performance, providing for professional growth and achieving overall objectives of school's curriculum.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including using a variety of software applications; planning and managing projects; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: pertinent laws, codes, policies, and/or regulations; personnel processes; standard business practices; program planning and development; concepts of grammar and punctuation; instructional procedures and practices; age appropriate student activities; safety practices and procedures; conflict resolution; and stages of child development/ behavior.

ABILITY is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; routinely gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups and individuals; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; and working with detailed information/data.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working independently under broad organizational guidelines to achieve unit objectives; managing a department; utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Experience: Job related experience within a specialized field with increasing levels of responsibility is required.

Education: Masters degree in job-related area.

Equivalency: