Director of Special Populations (2025-2026 SY)

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY: The Director of Special Populations (DOSP) is responsible for the leadership, administration, and supervision of RINI’s special education program and supporting services. This DOSP is also responsible for serving as the 504 Coordinator. The DOSP is responsible for formulating policies and procedures that screen, place, and educate students. The Director of Special Education plans, implements, and supervises Special Education mild/moderate educational programs and all related student support services. PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES: The Director of Special Population’s responsibilities are cumulative and involve organization-wide and community leadership. Leadership: Serve as a member of the School Leadership Team. Promote a positive, inclusive, and diverse environment that fosters high staff and student morale and excellence. Promote an environment free from implicit bias, ensuring anti-racism, equity practices, restorative practices, and social identities are upheld at all times. Provide opportunities for professional development for all staff members regarding legal and professional requirements to teach special education students. Coordinate and conduct all IEP & 504 meetings needed as per law. Address staff, student, and family concerns urgently and with mission-aligned, student-centered responses. Use data to accurately assess areas for school improvement and support others to do the same. Implement high quality, timely, and effective internal communication with the staff, students, and other stakeholders. Maintain a strong positive and working relationship in the school community. Communicate verbally and in writing with the School Leadership Team around school activities and problems related to the special education program. Educational Program and Planning: Evaluates special education programs to ensure that objectives for student education are met. Interprets laws, rules, and regulations to students, parents, and staff. Works with the principal on the budget and solicits funds/grants to provide financial support for programs. Prepares all internal school reports, as well as for federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. Collaborates with the principal and special education teachers for the purpose of implementing and maintaining services and or programs Coordinates with outside agencies to provide services to students and staff for the purpose of offering appropriate services. Coordinates/reviews district policy for special education as is needed or required for the purpose of assuring program consistency and compliance with state and federal rules in all locations. Directs personnel for the purpose of delivering services which conform to establish guidelines. Develops proposals, new programs, budgets and grants for the purpose of meeting District goals. Board Governance: Collaborate with the Principal to maintain a positive working relationship with the Board by providing timely and adequate information on all special education programs. Execute Board policy in a positive and responsive manner to the staff and public. Collaborate with the Principal to recommend to the Board long and short-term goals and objectives to be included in the school’s strategic plan. Collaborate with the Principal to anticipate future needs/circumstances of the school and make recommendations to the Board for action. Collaborate with the Principal to recommend policy adoption and/or revision to the Board on a proactive basis. Attend and participate in committee meetings as needed, within reason, share updates on the school, and bring back recommendations from the committees to be implemented in practice. Research: Integrate relevant research outcomes into professional development practice through effective learning activities for the faculty and staff. Evaluate outcomes of the educational programs and utilizes findings for continued improvement. Apply measurement instruments and statistical analysis, seeking consultation with other professionals when needed. Supports integration of research into student learning experiences. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Consistently, enthusiastically and deliberately promote and model the Nurses Middle College Pillars of Nursing: character, scholarship, compassion and empathy and professionalism. Exhibit investment in the school’s mission and vision while demonstrating the core belief that people and schools can grow. Consistently demonstrate adherence to the fidelity of the curriculum and to the Nurses Middle College model. Act on the belief that all students can learn. Advocate for students’ best interests at all times. Maintain expectations for growth mindset within the school community. Act ethically and with integrity while following all school, district, local, state and federal policies, procedures, and protocols. Use appropriate branding of the school that is aligned with mission and vision, in all internal and external communications. Contribute to a safe, supportive, and positive collegial environment while always maintaining a positive and professional attitude. Communicate ideas and information in a clear, logical, respectful and well-structured way, without ambiguity or unnecessary jargon. Uphold and celebrate a culture of equitable education where people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives can succeed. Adhere to the culture of high expectations, rigor, and accountability, and relentless self-improvement for students, families, colleagues and self. Other: Required attendance at various events is the expectation for employees. Attendance and meaningful participation in each planning day, professional development day, parent teacher conferences, at least one (1) new student open house, and all Senior events including, but not limited to Awards Night, Prom and Graduation are required. Dates and times will be determined, and employees will be notified as such. Participate regularly in NursesMC™ CMO network meetings and professional development sessions. Perform such other duties and assume other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Principal, and/or necessary to perform the functions of the position. QUALIFICATIONS: Valid Teaching Certification and the District Level Administrator certification for Special Education as required by the RI Department of Education Minimum of 3 years of special education teaching experience Minimum of 3 years of administrative experience preferred Knowledge of State and Federal legislation as it relates to Special Education Strong entrepreneurial instincts: highly collaborative, results-oriented, adaptable self-starter, who demonstrates passion for the mission, optimism in the face of challenges and creativity and persuasiveness to solve problems. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to develop strategy, align resources, implement plans with fidelity, assess progress, and address gaps to achieve strong and consistently high results across all functional areas. Meticulous attention to data collection and data analysis to drive decision making. Proficient in Microsoft and Google platforms. Experience compiling and presenting reports to stakeholders Take responsibility for behavior, mistakes, and results, learns from successes and failures, and teach others to do the same. Seeks feedback to continue professional growth. Manage time and resources effectively, prioritizing efforts according to organizational goals. Consistently demonstrates respect and appreciation for others by empathizing, valuing their time and contributions, and being available and responsive to their needs. Possess strong critical thinking, organizational, problem solving and team building skills. Demonstrates belief in the importance of interdisciplinary approach to student education. Current B.C.I. Proof of U.S. Citizenship, residency, or work visa required. WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. Duties also apply when on a field trip away from school. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis. EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Nurses Middle College’s policy on evaluation of staff.