| Summary Description: This position provides leadership and operational efficiency for early childhood special education services for children with disabilities from birth through kindergarten entry, working collaboratively with the director and leadership team to ensure high-quality, compliant program implementation. The role supervises and evaluates coordinators, instructional specialists, and assigned staff; leads the Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program (MCITP), Child Find, Preschool Education Program (PEP), and Birth to Kindergarten (Birth to K); and leads Child Find activities and developmental evaluation clinics. The position collaborates with administrators, teachers, service providers, and families to support effective instruction, inclusive opportunities, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) implementation, including chairing prekindergarten IEP meetings and guiding teams on service delivery and compliance. Responsibilities include coordinating transitions between early intervention, preschool special education, and school-age services; analyzing data to inform staffing, budgets, and program improvement; ensuring staff remain informed of changes in laws and policies; and representing the department on committees and interagency partnerships. The position provides professional learning and technical assistance, prepares reports and presentations for leadership and the Board of Education, engages in mediation and due process activities when required, and responds to inquiries from principals, families, and community partners, performing additional related duties as needed.
Physical Demands: As required by the duties and responsibilities of the job.
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, IEP sessions or professional learning events. Countywide travel may be required.
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Thorough knowledge of federal IDEA Part C and Part B, state special education laws, Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) early childhood requirements, and knowledge of or the ability to quickly learn and apply the MCPS policies and regulations governing services for young children with disabilities. Strong knowledge of early childhood special education programs serving including the MCITP, Child Find, PEP, and Birth to K, as well as the MCPS prekindergarten curriculum and its alignment with instructional practices, interventions, and evaluation processes. Expertise in evidence-based early childhood instruction, inclusive service delivery models, culturally responsive practices, and strategies that promote equitable access for diverse learners and families. Skilled in analyzing systemwide program and outcome data, such as MSDE indicators, compliance measures, disproportionality, LRE, suspension, attendance, and achievement, to guide strategic planning, program improvement, and staffing and resource decisions. Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with school administrators, teachers, families, community partners, and external agencies. Ability to support professional learning, guide program staff, and promote inclusive practices that support positive outcomes for students with diverse learning and behavioral needs.Ability to lead complex systems, implement large-scale initiatives, and expand inclusive opportunities for children ages three through five in school and community settings. Knowledgeable in MOIEP, corrective action plans, school improvement planning, legislative processes, fiscal considerations, and grant management, as well as state initiatives including the Maryland Blueprint for Education and Maryland Transforms. Experienced in supervising and evaluating staff, allocating budgets and resources, and guiding program evaluation and accountability. Proficient with Canvas, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom, and related systems, with strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, and familiarity with MCPS Professional Growth Systems to support observation, coaching, and staff development. |
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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 a minimum of one year of central or school-based administrative experience in prekindergarten/early childhood education in school or early intervention settings. Experience in providing 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 in high-level problem-solving with parents/guardians, administrators, across multiple offices, county agencies, and community partners. Experience in planning, leading, and implementing short- and long-range systemwide initiatives, contributing to the development of strategic priorities, and ensure programs and services are aligned with district goals to improve student success. Experience working with parents/guardians and community agencies. Experience in preparing grants, budget documents, and financial reports. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.Certificate License: Meets MSDE certification requirements for Administrator I. Certification in special education or a related field. Certification in special education is preferred. Completion of Observing and Analyzing Teaching (OAT) I must be completed one year of 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.)Works collaboratively with the director and leadership team to ensure the effective implementation of special education services for children with disabilities from birth through kindergarten entry.Provides operational efficiency for programs within the department, including the MCITP, Child Find, PEP, and Birth to K.Supervises and evaluates coordinators, instructional specialists, and other assigned staff.Leads the planning and implementation of Child Find activities and developmental evaluation clinics for children ages three through five.Collaborates with school administrators, teachers, service providers, and families to support the implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and effective instructional practices.Supports schools and families in promoting inclusive opportunities for young children with disabilities in school and community-based early childhood settings.Chairs or participates in prekindergarten IEP team meetings and provides guidance to school-based teams regarding service delivery models and compliance requirements.Coordinates transition processes from the MCITP to preschool special education services and from early childhood programs to school-age services.Ensures staff, administrators, and school teams are informed of changes in laws, regulations, policies, and program requirements.Collaborates with MCPS offices and community partners to support consistent implementation of early childhood initiatives and assessment processes.Collects and analyzes data related to program implementation, staffing allocations, and service delivery to inform decision-making and program improvement.Assists with the development and monitoring of budgets and resource allocations for early childhood special education programs.Represents the department on district committees, task forces, and interagency partnerships.Participates in mediation, due process hearings, and investigations related to state complaints as required.Responds to and prepares written correspondence to principals, families, and community members regarding early childhood special education services.Provides professional learning and technical assistance to school-based staff and program personnel.Prepares reports, presentations, and other materials for leadership and the Board of Education as needed.Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position. |
