Salary Range: $97,708/min $119,155/mid $140,602/maxPRIMARY PURPOSE:The Director of Special Education leads districtwide special education services and is responsible for compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), applicable Texas laws and rules, Texas Education Agency (TEA) requirements, and district policy. The Director oversees service delivery, staffing, budgets, reporting, compliance, and corrective action. The Director supervises and evaluates the Assistant Director of Special Education, who leads instructional programming.
QUALIFICATIONS:Minimum Education/Certification: - Master's degree
- Valid Texas mid-management certificate or other appropriate Texas certificate
- Valid Texas teaching certificate with special education endorsement
- Certified appraiser in Texas Teacher Appraiser System
Special Knowledge/Skills: - Working knowledge of specially funded programs and standards of regulatory agencies
- Ability to evaluate programs and analyze data according to federal guidelines
- Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of federal and state special education requirements, including evaluation timelines, admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee procedures, individualized education program (IEP) development and implementation, and procedural safeguards.
- Ability to oversee special education data systems, validate Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) data, and use reports and dashboards to identify compliance trends and track corrective actions.
- Ability to develop district procedures, manage reporting deadlines, communicate requirements clearly, and safeguard confidential student information.
Minimum Experience: - Three years' experience as classroom teacher
- Three years' experience in instructional, leadership roles
- At least two years of special education leadership and/or campus administration experience overseeing special education service delivery. Campus- or district-level experience preferred.
- Three years of experience with special education data systems, PEIMS coding, state reporting, compliance monitoring, and corrective action planning preferred.
- Three years of experience supervising professional staff and leading cross-departmental initiatives with campus leaders preferred.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: ROLE 1: Districtwide Special Education Services - Directs districtwide planning, implementation, and evaluation of special education services, including evaluation services, related services, behavior services, transition and 18+ services, and extended school year services, as applicable.
- Establishes districtwide expectations for service access, staffing, and continuity. Reviews service effectiveness and works with district and campus leaders to address gaps in service delivery. Reviews student outcome data with the Director of Special Education to evaluate districtwide services and identify improvements.
- Keeps current on special education requirements and professional practices and communicates changes to campus and district staff.
ROLE 2: School/Organizational Climate - Provides for two-way communication channel with principals, teachers, staff, parents, and community.
- Supports the development of district goals using a collaborative process and problem-solving techniques when appropriate.
- Demonstrates skill in conflict resolution with administrators, parents, teachers, staff and community when appropriate.
ROLE 3: School/Organizational Improvement - Participates in district-level decision process to establish and review the district's goals and objectives.
- Supports the efforts of others to achieve district goals and objectives.
- Oversees assigned special education assessment and planning activities.
- Leads districtwide monitoring of special education services and documentation, including evaluation and ARD timelines, procedural safeguards, IEP implementation, and service delivery records.
- Recommends and outlines assigned special education priorities and needs of the district.
- Develops and maintains district procedures, campus guidance, and monitoring tools. Reviews compliance and student data with campus leaders to identify trends, assign corrective actions, and verify completion.
- Leads preparation for TEA monitoring and audits. Coordinates district responses to complaints and due process matters with district leadership and legal counsel as appropriate, and monitors corrective action through completion.
ROLE 4: Personnel Management - Assists, as appropriate, with the mandated appraisal system.
- Secures consultants, specialists, and other community resources to assist in attaining objectives.
- Sets districtwide training priorities for compliance and service delivery and coordinates implementation with district and campus leaders.
- Supervises and evaluates assigned staff. Leads recruitment and selection for assigned positions in coordination with district leadership.
- Provides ongoing training and coaching to campus leaders and special education staff on ARD/IEP procedures, service documentation, data quality, and corrective action.
ROLE 5: Administration and Fiscal/Facilities Management - Oversees districtwide special education operations and coordinates staffing allocations, contracted services, and resource needs with district and campus leaders.
- Administers special education budgets and amendments and oversees fiscal compliance, including School Health and Related Services (SHARS) documentation and billing, as applicable.
- Oversees special education records and data systems and coordinates accurate, timely state and federal submissions.
- Implements the policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and the local board.
- Partners with PEIMS staff, Finance, and campus teams to validate special education coding, reconcile data discrepancies, and ensure service documentation supports reporting and funding.
- Leads district implementation and oversight of the Texas Tiered Funding Model for special education. Establishes documentation and monitoring procedures, trains staff, and follows up on discrepancies.
ROLE 6: Student Management - Demonstrates support for district's student management policies and expected student behavior related to special education. Follows district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
- Guides campus administrators on special education discipline procedures and coordinates the district response to complex compliance or service delivery concerns.
ROLE 7: Professional Growth and Development - Adheres to proper communication channels.
- Monitors professional research and disseminates ideas and information to other professionals.
- Develops needed professional skills appropriate to job assignments.
- Exhibits involvement and participation in professional organizations, staff development, workshops, and other continuing education activities to increase professional skills and job performance.
- Demonstrates behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible and serves as a role model for all district staff.
ROLE 8: School/Community Relations - Involves and promotes public and school awareness of special education and services.
- Maintains effective communication with administrators, special education personnel, and other school personnel.
- Serves as a district resource for campus leaders, staff, and families on special education procedures and helps resolve concerns about compliance and service delivery.
- Demonstrates awareness of district and community needs and initiates activities to meet those identified needs.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting
Motion: Repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding and use of mouse
Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
Environment: Frequent districtwide travel; occasional statewide travel
Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
The above statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list.Calendar Days: 227
