Posting Opens: Tuesday, July 14, 2026Application Review Begins: Wednesday, July 22, 2026Posting Closes: Open Until Filled*Contract Begins: As Soon As Possible*Submit your application materials by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 in order to be considered during the initial application review process.Salary and Benefits The salary range is $123,386 - $148,322 (based on the 2026-2027 SAAC salary schedule) depending on education/experience plus a generous benefit plan including stipends for TSA, Mileage and Cell Phone. This position works 261 days per year.
About the Position Springfield Public Schools seeks outstanding candidates for the position of full-time (1.0 FTE) Assistant Director of Special Programs. Candidates must hold a
current Oregon administrative license, and have demonstrated successful leadership abilities.
The Assistant Director of Special Programs provides leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for district special education services, federal programs, health services, and multi-tiered systems of support. As a member of the district's instructional leadership team, the Assistant Director ensures that programs, staffing, resources, and services effectively support equitable outcomes for students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and students experiencing barriers to academic success.
The Assistant Director is responsible for the planning, implementation, supervision, compliance, and continuous improvement of district special programs. The position collaborates closely with school administrators, instructional leaders, families, community agencies, and state partners to ensure effective service delivery, fiscal stewardship, and compliance with federal and state regulations.
The Assistant Director serves as a key leader in special education programming, MTSS implementation, staffing, professional learning, compliance oversight, family engagement, and student support services while fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Master's degree in Special Education, School Psychology, Educational Leadership, or a related field required.
- Valid Oregon Administrative License required.
- Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in Special Education, student services, or related educational leadership roles.
- Demonstrated experience supervising licensed and classified personnel.
- Demonstrated experience with special education compliance, program administration, and instructional leadership.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Doctoral degree in Special Education, School Psychology, Educational Leadership, or related field.
- District-level leadership experience in Special Education or Student Services.
- Experience supporting school and district mental and physical health programs.
- Experience leading districtwide MTSS, PBIS, or instructional improvement initiatives.
- Experience presenting information to executive leadership, school boards, families, and community stakeholders.
- Experience establishing partnerships with community agencies and service providers.
- Experience managing special education legal matters, mediations, complaints, and due process proceedings.
- Experience developing and implementing multi-year strategic plans.
Essential duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned.
Program Leadership - Serve as a member of district instructional leadership teams and participate actively in districtwide planning, implementation, and continuous improvement efforts.
- Collaborate with district and building leaders to align special programs with district goals, strategic priorities, and student achievement initiatives.
- Lead implementation and continuous improvement efforts for Special Education, Federal Title Programs, Health Services, McKinney-Vento services, and other assigned programs.
- Provide leadership in the development of equitable systems, inclusive practices, and student support structures that improve outcomes for historically underserved student populations.
- Advise district leadership regarding special education programming, compliance requirements, instructional practices, staffing needs, and service delivery models.
- Represent the district on local, regional, state, and professional committees and workgroups.
Special Education Leadership - Provide direct oversight of licensed staff members with specialized assignments, including, Special Education Teachers (Learning Specialists), speech-language pathologists, school psychologists, behavioral consultants, and other assigned personnel.
- Oversee district operations related to allied health services, including nursing services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and related service providers.
- Support building administrators in the development, implementation, and evaluation of special education programs and services.
- Lead district efforts to design, coordinate, and implement programs that support Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) practices and inclusive educational opportunities.
- Coordinate referrals, placements, and services involving regional programs, Educational Service Districts, Long-Term Care and Treatment programs, and other specialized placements.
- Collaborate with district leaders to ensure special education services are aligned with district instructional priorities and MTSS frameworks.
Instructional Leadership and Professional Learning - Direct districtwide professional learning related to special education programming, instructional strategies, behavior supports, and inclusive practices.
- Identify and promote evidence-based instructional techniques that improve student achievement for students receiving special education services.
- Provide coaching, consultation, and technical assistance to administrators, teachers, specialists, and support staff regarding instructional practices and program implementation.
- Support implementation of research-based instructional programs and interventions that align with district curriculum and instructional frameworks.
- Collaborate with district departments to develop and implement materials, resources, and training that enhance access to the core curriculum.
Compliance and Accountability - Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, administrative rules, and district procedures related to Special Education, Section 504, ADA, and Federal Title Programs.
- Oversee state and federal reporting requirements, including SPR&I, grant reporting, compliance monitoring, and program documentation.
- Maintain and analyze program data to support accountability, compliance, resource allocation, and continuous improvement efforts.
- Assist in responding to complaints, investigations, mediation requests, due process proceedings, and other legal matters involving special education services.
- Coordinate with legal counsel and state agencies regarding compliance matters when appropriate.
- Develop and maintain systems that ensure program integrity, regulatory compliance, and effective service delivery.
Personnel Leadership and Supervision - Recruit, hire, supervise, support, and evaluate licensed and classified personnel assigned to special programs.
- Coordinate staffing allocations and resource deployment to ensure equitable and effective service delivery across schools and programs.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and professional growth opportunities for assigned staff members.
- Build leadership capacity among administrators, specialists, and program personnel through ongoing support and development.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, professionalism, and continuous learning.
Fiscal and Operational Leadership - Assist in the development, administration, and monitoring of Special Programs budgets.
- Monitor expenditures, contracted services, grants, and program resources to ensure fiscal accountability and compliance.
- Collaborate with district leadership regarding staffing models, resource allocation, and long-range planning efforts.
- Ensure efficient management of assigned programs, services, and operational systems.
Community and Family Engagement - Collaborate with families, community agencies, healthcare providers, and regional partners to support student success.
- Coordinate family support liaison services, including McKinney-Vento supports and other family assistance programs.
- Foster positive relationships with students, families, staff, and community stakeholders through transparent communication and collaboration.
- Support district efforts to increase family engagement and access to educational services.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws governing Special Education, Section 504, ADA, and Federal Title Programs.
- Knowledge of MTSS, PBIS, inclusive instructional practices, and evidence-based interventions.
- Knowledge of educational leadership principles, program evaluation, and continuous improvement processes.
- Strong instructional leadership, systems-thinking, and organizational management skills.
- Ability to analyze data and use information to drive programmatic decision-making.
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and stakeholder groups.
- Strong problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to lead organizational change and foster collaborative relationships.
- Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, cultural responsiveness, and sound judgment.
LEADERSHIP DISPOSITIONSThe ideal candidate demonstrates:
- Commitment to educational equity and inclusive practices.
- High ethical standards and professional integrity.
- Collaborative and service-oriented leadership.
- Courageous decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong systems-thinking and strategic planning skills.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and organizational excellence.
- Ability to build trust, leadership capacity, and positive organizational culture.
