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| Director I |
0287 |
Not Applicable |
| Director, Department of Special Education Services |
P |
12 |
| SUMMARY DESCRIPTION; PHYSICAL DEMANDS; AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Under the direction of the Chief Student Support Officer, Division of Specialized Support Services and the Associate Superintendent for the Office of Special Education, the director of the Department of Special Education Services (DSES) provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for systemwide special education programs and supports serving students with disabilities from birth through age 21. The director leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of specialized programs designed to ensure equitable access to high-quality services and improved outcomes for students with disabilities. The director leads the coordination and oversight of department programs and initiatives, including Program and Support Team services, Parentally Placed services, Extended School Year (ESY), Curriculum and Intervention Supports, Cross-Functional Team (CFT) Specialists, Autism Services, and Transition Services. This role ensures alignment of programs with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements, and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) policies and regulations. The director collaborates with leadership across the Division of Specialized Support Services, the Division of School Leadership and Improvement, the Division of Teaching and Learning, the Division of Equity and Organizational Development, and other central offices to ensure school-based teams implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with fidelity and have the resources and professional learning necessary to support students with disabilities. The director leads systemwide program evaluation, staffing and budget planning, grant management, and data analysis related to student achievement, attendance, behavior, disproportionality, suspension, and least restrictive environment (LRE) indicators. The director leads strategic initiatives that align curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning to improve outcomes for students with disabilities across all grade levels.
Physical Demands: As required of the duties of the position.
Special Requirements: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including day or evening work such as occasional participation in evening, community meetings, board of education meetings, IEP sessions or professional learning events. Countywide travel may be required.
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KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES: Knowledge of federal and state special education laws and regulations, including IDEA, MSDE requirements, and MCPS policies and procedures governing services for students with disabilities from birth through age 21; MCPS curriculum and instructional frameworks and evidence‑based practices in specialized instruction, assessment, data‑based interventions, behavior supports, accommodations, supplementary aids and services, co‑teaching, and inclusive instructional models; and state and district accountability systems, including the Maryland Online IEP (MOIEP), MSDE Indicator Report Card requirements, and related compliance, monitoring, and reporting processes. Knowledge of the Maryland Blueprint for Education and the Maryland Transforms initiative and their implications for program implementation, accountability, and resource alignment; as well as knowledge of budget development, staffing, grants, and fiscal procedures related to special education programs. Skilled in analyzing and interpreting complex systemwide data related to academic achievement, attendance, behavior, disproportionality, and least restrictive environment (LRE) to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision‑making; supervising and developing administrators and leadership staff; designing and managing organizational structures and workflows that ensure high‑quality, compliant service delivery; communicating complex information clearly in oral and written form to diverse audiences; and using technology systems such as Canvas, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365, Teams, Zoom, and related data platforms. Ability to collaborate effectively with MCPS leadership, school administrators, educators, Division of School Leadership and Improvement (DSLI), parents/guardians, county agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders with cultural competence; align programs, services, and resources with district goals and with Blueprint and Maryland Transforms priorities; lead strategic planning, problem solving, conflict resolution, and organizational change in a large, complex school system. Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn and apply MCAAP/MCBOA leadership standards and the MCPS Professional Growth System (PGS) in the supervision and development of teachers and supporting services staff. |
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EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE; CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: 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 special education/specialized instruction in school or early intervention settings, including direct oversight of special education or specialized instructional programs. Experience leading strategic planning and organizational improvement efforts, including setting division- or department-wide priorities, allocating and managing budgets and resources, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including IDEA Part B and Part C.CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Meets Maryland Administrator I certification requirements. Certification in special education or related services provider required. Completion of OAT I within one year of the position start date. Completion of OAT II within two years of position start date. |
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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Note: 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 core job elements.Provides management, leadership, and strategic direction for the Division of School-Based Special Education Services.Develops and implements systemwide policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives for students with disabilities across Grades K–12.Leads all special education programs, including cluster programs, Autism Program, Extended School Year (ESY), Parentally Placed services, Cross-Functional Team (CFT) supports, and Transition Services.Supervises supervisors, coordinators, and program leads to ensure high-quality, compliant, and equitable special education services.Develops and manages department budgets, staffing allocations, and resource planning in collaboration with the Division of Financial Management.Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local special education regulations, including IDEA and leads program evaluation and systemwide data analysis.Establishes partnerships with community organizations, parents/guardians, local and state agencies to support services for students with disabilities.Provides leadership for professional learning initiatives across the district to support inclusive practices and evidence-based instruction.Reviews and aligns curriculum and instructional initiatives with special education best practices and district strategic plans.Leads department representation at local, state, and national meetings, committees, and advisory groups related to special education.Leads the development and monitoring of federal and state grants, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities.Provides guidance and support to associate superintendents and directors on special education program initiatives and strategic planning.Uses the Maryland Online IEP (MOIEP) to monitor IEP quality, compliance, and service delivery expectations.Monitors MSDE Indicator Report Card metrics and leads corrective action planning with schools and offices.Collaborates with the DSLI and other MCPS offices to coordinate cross‑functional supports for students with disabilities.Designs and manages organizational structures, roles, and workflows to ensure efficient operations and compliant, high‑quality service delivery.Provides technical assistance to cluster‑assigned staff and schools to address instructional and programmatic issues raised by administrators, parents/guardians, and community members.Monitors legislative initiatives impacting special education and recommends updates to policies and procedures.Aligns programs, services, and resource deployment with the Maryland Blueprint for Education and the Maryland Transforms initiative.Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position |
