Director of Special Education na Washington County Public Schools

Supervisor of Special Education

Administrators & Supervisors salary scale   
12-Month Assignment - Category 10:  $106,338 - $169,995
Employee Benefits Summary

Role Overview
Ensures the provision of a Free and Appropriate Public Education for students with disabilities from birth to 21; general management and supervision of the special education department and programs and services for students; develops processes and professional learning for general and special education teachers and staff on effective tiered instructional practices that contribute to inclusive and equitable learning environments and universal instruction and compliance issues; budgetary and fiscal responsibilities; ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations (COMAR), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and local policies and procedures.

Supervises
Special Education Department based in the Center for Education Services (CES).

Minimum Requirements

• Current holding of, or immediate eligibility for, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Administrator I endorsement.
• Currently holds or is immediately eligible for Maryland State Department of Education Special Education certification.
• At least five (5) years of successful leadership experience in the field of Special Education.
• Previous administrator or supervisor experience and ability to lead and monitor initiatives and projects. 
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state special education-related laws and regulations. 
• Previous experience developing and maintaining an annual budget.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the instructional goals and policies of Washington County Public Schools.
• Experience in successful school improvement programming, including data analysis, goal setting, strategy implementation, and evaluation with substantial results.
• Experience in the coaching, support, and evaluation of school personnel.
• Experience with applying for and managing grants and departmental budgets.
• Experience in developing, delivering, and assessing professional development for adult learners.
• Excellent human relations and communication skills, as evidenced by experience.
• Commitment to developing an equitable, diverse, and inclusive education for all students.
• Must have regular and predictable attendance.
• Ability to perform the job's essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in education with an emphasis in curriculum, instruction, or educational leadership.
• Current Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) professional certificate/license for Superintendent I.
• Five (5) years of experience using student data (e.g., academic, attendance, behavioral, disproportionality – discipline, identification, placement) to make programmatic decisions.
• Previous experience in grant application and management.

Role Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Provide strategic leadership for all special education programs and services in alignment with the WCPS Strategic Plan and state/federal requirements.
• Provide supervision of the principal of Marshall Street School and Funkstown Enhanced Programs.
• Collaborate with Executive Directors of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Director of Student Services, and other district leaders to align special education with systemwide instructional priorities.
• Lead and coordinate the work of central office special education staff to ensure consistent, high-quality services for students.
• Direct and respond to the day-to-day operations of the Department of Special Education.
• Stay current with research, policy developments, and best practices in special education, including the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
• Serve as a visible, professional representative of WCPS in the community and with advisory committees (e.g., Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee).
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Superintendent. 

• Support principals, administrators, and school staff in implementing effective instructional practices and intervention strategies.
• Facilitate professional development for teachers, administrators, and support staff to strengthen instructional practices and compliance.
• Work collaboratively with district and school staff on implementing Comprehensive Support and Improvement Schools (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) plans.
• Demonstrate expertise in neurodiversity, inclusive education, disproportionality, equity, trauma-informed practices, and/or Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
• Provide technical assistance to IEP Chairpersons to ensure compliance and effective programming.
• Collaborate with private and parochial schools, state agencies, and community partners to coordinate services for eligible students.
• Supervise nonpublic placements and ensure appropriate oversight of external services.
• Assist in identifying facility modifications needed to accommodate students with disabilities.

• Monitor and supervise compliance with IDEA, COMAR, FERPA, and other federal, state, and local regulations.
• Develop and implement a monitoring plan for continuous improvement in conjunction with MSDE.
• Review and monitor special education programs, using data to evaluate effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and inform decision-making.
• Administer procedures to ensure accurate data reporting (e.g., least restrictive environment, attendance, suspensions, and outcomes).
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of required state and local reports.

•   Supervise and evaluate special education administrators, providing coaching and opportunities for professional growth.
•   Observe instructional programs within schools and confer with principals and administrators to improve student learning.
•   Oversee staffing needs, including recruitment, hiring, placement, and monitoring of special education personnel.
•   Determine and monitor staffing allocations to meet the needs of students.

•   Support schools in resolving parent concerns, complaints, mediation, and due process matters.
•   Build strong collaborative partnerships and trust with families and other community stakeholders to strengthen engagement in the early intervention and special education processes.
•   Collaborate with the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) to ensure transparency, program review, and stakeholder feedback at all levels of the special education program development, implementation, and evaluation.
•   Demonstrate a courteous and professional demeanor to all stakeholders of WCPS.

•  Manage local, state, and federal budgets and grants to maximize resources and ensure accountability.

•  Required prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer and other office equipment.
•  Ability to sufficiently move throughout the building and grounds.  
•  Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with individuals as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, and hear.
•  Maintain emotional control under stress. 
•  Ability to travel district-wide and state-wide on a regular basis.  Ability to work prolonged and irregular hours.