Special Education Director

Director of Special Education - A.R. Gould School

Pay Grade: 24: $60,037 - $90,262 Annually * inclusive of 10% stipent

This position is eligible for an additional 5% Professional Development Stipend

03300.1921

Code: 5240

Open: April 2, 2025

Close: Until Filled

Join our team for the upcoming school year! This unique position provides oversight of special education services to less than 50 students.

Long Creek Youth Development Center is seeking a dedicated Special Education Director to oversee and manage special educational programming for incarcerated and detained youth at the AR. Gould School. Located in Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, Maine, the school provides specialized educational services, supporting students’ academic success and rehabilitation.

This is a year-round position, administering and coordinating educational programs for students with special needs. The Special Education Director is responsible for managing and supporting special educational programs and services, consulting with local educational agencies, and coordinating diagnostic and educational testing. The selected candidate will play a critical role in creating a supportive environment for students, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and services for academic achievement and personal growth.

Minimum Requirements

• Experience in instructing individuals with special needs in a classroom setting.
  
  

Licensing/Registration/Certification Requirements

(These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class).

• State of Maine Certification: Certificate (030) Administrator of Special Education.
  
  

Responsibilities Include

• Develop and implement special services programs and policies, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Oversee the creation and execution of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), collaborating with teachers to modify curriculum and teaching methods
• Evaluate the effectiveness of special education programs and make improvements as needed
• Manage budgetary allocations for education resources, including local and federal grants
• Coordinate with parents, guardians, and stakeholders on student progress and ensure equal educational opportunities for exceptional students
• Coordinate with outside providers as required by education plans
• Maintain certifications through ongoing professional development
  
  

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of State and Federal laws governing the education of exceptional students, as well as education and special education theories and practices
• Knowledge of non-education programs and community and educational resources that impact the education of exceptional students
• Knowledge of supervisory principles, practices, and techniques
• Ability to develop and initiate procedures and standards for various special education programs
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Proficiency in using applicable computer programs to support educational processes
  
  

About A.R. Gould School

The A.R. Gould School is an accredited public high school and alternative education program for youth in the care of the Maine Department of Corrections. The school provides a state-standard curriculum tailored to individual student needs, aiming to support academic success and prepare students for re-entry into the community. Through partnerships with local organizations, A.R. Gould enriches learning opportunities and fosters a trauma-informed, supportive environment that promotes both academic growth and personal development.

About Long Creek Youth Development Center

Located in South Portland, ME, Long Creek is the ONLY secure juvenile justice center in Maine. Our facility is focused on the wellbeing of juvenile residents and staff. We offer multiple programs to support behavioral rehabilitation, educational attainment, and workforce skills for justice-involved youth.

Find camaraderie and a sense of belonging when you join our team. We are invested in increasing public safety through improved outcomes for our juvenile residents. This is a great place for applicants interested in public safety, social work, behavioral health, case management, probation, law enforcement, acuity care, adolescent development, advocacy, or psychology.

About Maine Department Of Corrections

MDOC is destigmatizing corrections for the betterment of all Maine communities. Through the ‘Maine Model of Corrections’, we promote the safety of our staff and residents while reducing barriers to meaningful rehabilitative opportunities. We facilitate restorative justice practices that equip justice-involved residents and clients with the skills they need to become contributing members of society upon release, including treatment, education, and job training. We are committed to rebuilding lives and are searching for great team players, with a professional attitude and well-developed integrity and ethics, to join us in this mission.

State Of Maine Benefits

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 96 hours of accrued of sick leave, and 3 weeks of vacation leave Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/som-health-plan/premium-rates.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/health-premium-credit
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 19% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program. https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/living-resources
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-employees/rules-policies/policy-practices-manual/Employee-Rights-and-Responsibilities-Federal.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh.
  
  

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations is provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.