] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF INCLUSIVE AND SPECIALIZED LEARNING SUPPORTS

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Director, Department of Inclusive and Specialized Learning Supports

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Director I CODE: 0287 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Director, Department of Inclusive and Specialized Learning Supports GRADE: P MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION; PHYSICAL DEMANDS; AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Summary Description: Under the direction of the Chief Student Support Officer within the Division of Specialized Support Services and the Associate Superintendent of Special Education, the Director of Inclusive and Specialized Learning Supports provides strategic leadership and oversight for districtwide programs designed to support students with complex academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. This role leads the Extensions Program, Social Emotional Special Education Services (SESES), Bridge Program, and the Model Learning Center (MLC) to ensure students receive appropriate support in inclusive, structured, and therapeutic learning environments. The director is responsible for ensuring that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) effectively implements services that support students with disabilities while maintaining compliance with federal and state legislation, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The position leads the development, coordination, and evaluation of programs that address students’ academic, behavioral, and mental health needs while promoting inclusive educational opportunities and equitable access to services. The director collaborates closely with school administrators, counseling services, mental health professionals, family support services, district teams, the Division of Legal Services, and community partners to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to student support. The role directs fiscal management of related program funds, provides technical assistance to schools, and leads program operations for Extensions, Bridge, SESES, and MLC. Through strategic planning and cross-functional leadership, the director supports the integration of social-emotional learning, behavioral supports, and specialized programming into the overall educational experience. The director also ensures alignment of these initiatives with the Maryland Blueprint for Education and the Maryland Transforms initiative, promoting accountability, program effectiveness, and continuous improvement while prioritizing the well-being and success of students with disabilities. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: As required of the duties of the position. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including extended day or evening work such as occasional participation in evening, community meetings, Board of Education meetings, Individualized Education Programs IEP sessions or professional learning events. Countywide travel may be required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES: KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES: Knowledge of federal and state education laws and regulations impacting students with disabilities and student supports, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title IX, and knowledge of or the ability to quickly learn and apply the MCPS policies and procedures governing services from birth through age 21, including the development and implementation of IEPs and 504 Plans, and requirements related to Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Knowledge of specialized education services with particular expertise in social-emotional, behavioral, and therapeutic supports for students with disabilities, as well as inclusive practices that support equitable access to education.Ability to provide strategic leadership and oversight of complex, multidisciplinary systems of support, including programs that address behavioral, mental health, and social-emotional needs. Capacity to lead large teams of leaders and practitioners, establish systemwide expectations, and ensure consistent and compliant implementation of programs and services across schools and specialized programs.Use of data-informed leadership, including program monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement through the collection, analysis, and reporting of student and program data. Proficiency with relevant system tools and reporting systems, including the Maryland Online Individualized Education Program (MOIEP) and other district data platforms used to monitor compliance and program effectiveness.Exceptional communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage administrators, families, community organizations, legal partners, and external agencies. Ability to lead professional learning initiatives, build leadership capacity, and advance equity, inclusion, and student well-being across instructional and support programs, including training related to inclusive practices, procedural safeguards, and legal compliance.Knowledge of or the ability to quickly learn and apply the six leadership standards established for MCAAP/MCBOA and understanding of the MCPS Teacher Professional Growth System and the Supporting Services Professional Growth System (PGS), including the supervision, evaluation, and professional development of staff. 
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE; CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Education Training Experience:Master’s degree from an accredited institution, with additional graduate coursework in special education, administration, supervision. The position requires a minimum of five years of special education teaching experience; and three years of central or school-based administrative experience in related services/specialized instruction in school or early intervention settings. Experience in strategic leadership, management, and supervision of professional and support staff, including establishing organizational structures, defining roles and responsibilities, and leading the assignment, coordination, and evaluation of work to ensure effective and compliant service delivery. Experience collaborating and engaging in high-level problem-solving with parents/guardians, MCPS administrators, the Division of School Leadership and Improvement (DSLI), staff from other MCPS offices, county agencies, and community partners to ensure coordinated systems of support and improved outcomes for students. Knowledge of the Maryland Blueprint for Education and the Maryland Transforms initiative, including their implications for program implementation, accountability, and continuous improvement within MCPS. Successful experience in planning, leading, and implementing short- and long-range systemwide initiatives, developing strategic priorities, and aligning programs and services with district goals to improve student success.CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Meets Maryland Administrator I certification requirements. Certification in special education or related services provider required. Completion of Observing and Analyzing Teaching (OAT) I within one year of the position start date. Completion of OAT II within two years of position start date. 
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities: (Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements.)Provides direct strategic oversight and operational supervision of the Extensions Program, Bridge Program, Social Emotional Special Education Services (SESES), and the Model Learning Center (MLC), ensuring fidelity of implementation, consistency across sites, and alignment with district goals.Leads the implementation and monitors the effectiveness of the continuum of special education, social-emotional, and behavioral supports and ensures compliance with IDEA, ADA, Section 504 and federal and Maryland State laws and regulations and coordinates corrective actions as needed.Ensures collaboration and alignment among counseling services, psychological services, school social work, and external mental health partners to support students with intensive and therapeutic needs.Leads program evaluation, audits, and continuous improvement processes for specialized support programs, including the use of research-based practices and evidence-informed decision-making.Leads strategic planning efforts to align inclusive and specialized learning supports with the Maryland Blueprint for Education and Maryland Transforms initiatives.Collaborates and coordinates with the Division of Legal Services regarding legal, compliance or other matters as needed.Directs the allocation of resources including staffing, budget, and materials in alignment with program priorities.Collaborates on the development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of instructional programs, including curriculum, social-emotional well-being, and behavioral supports.Leads the collection, analysis, and reporting of data to monitor program effectiveness and student outcomes.Prepares and presents budget requests, analyses, and reports to senior management, Board of Education, and other governmental bodies.Establishes and maintains partnerships with parents, community organizations, businesses, and government agencies to support students’ academic, social, and emotional success.Guides cross-functional teams to align instructional priorities with districtwide strategic goals, ensuring initiatives are inclusive, data-informed, and student-centered.Serves as an advisor to senior leadership on instructional equity, innovative practices, and compliance matters.Represents the department at public meetings, Board of Education sessions, and county forums, providing updates on program operations and outcomes.Supervises and evaluates staff within the department.Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.  

This description may be changed at any time.