Job Title: Director of Special Services

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Reports to: Assistant Superintendent for Learning & Innovation

Pay Grade: Admin/Prof 8

Dept./School: Special Services

Work Calendar: 226 Days

Date Revised: 4.21.2025

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Director of Special Services is charged with creating collective ownership of an inspiring vision toward an inclusive approach to providing personalized and exceptional educational experiences to all students. Specific roles and responsibilities include direction and management of the district’s Department of Special Services, which includes: Special Education, Section 504, Dyslexia, Homebound Education, Evaluation, and Response to Intervention services. Additional responsibilities include: Oversight, supervision, and continued enhancement of the district’s special education and 504 programs to ensure provision of appropriate and effective services for special needs students; developing the capacity of special education and special services team members to provide individualized education plans to meet the needs of all students and ensure compliance with all state, federal, and local requirements; and ensuring that the district’s practices, programs, and services comply with legal mandates and precedents. This position also serves as the district’s 504/ADA Coordinator.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certification

• Master’s degree from an accredited university
• Valid Texas teaching certificate with special education endorsement, or licensed school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, or other related licensed professional
• Texas Mid-management or other appropriate Texas certificate strongly preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of federal and state special education law;
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills;
• Understanding of the individual needs of special needs students; and
• The ability to successfully:

• coordinate special services on a district-wide level;
• manage budget and personnel;
• communicate with all levels of special needs students and their parents; and
• implement policy and procedures and interpret data.

The ideal candidate will be:

• a creative visionary who is passionately focused on effecting change and has the ability to merge data and fact with intuition, imagination, and innovation in an effort to realize the possibilities rather than be content with the probabilities;
• a dedicated professional who creates a supportive environment by modeling and expecting accountability and responsibility; who exemplifies ethics; who accepts and values the differences of others, and who has a sense of human wisdom, courage and compassion;
• an effective communicator with exceptional public relations and interpersonal skills, who is open minded and perceptive to the needs and expectations of the students, campus and district staff, parents, and members of the community, and who, through the art of collaboration and creative problem solving, cultivates cohesiveness;
• an inspiring catalyst who motivates and empowers others to become leaders and risk takers, and who acknowledges the expertise, celebrates the successes, and honors the lives of others; and
• a life-long learner who perpetuates self-motivated learning, and resourcefully and effectively seeks dynamic change with continuous monitoring, evaluating, and

Experience

• 3 years of experience supervising district-level special education programs
• 5 years of teaching or professional experience in special education

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional and Program Management

1. Direct and manage the continuing development and delivery of special education curriculum and instructional programs that incorporate district goals and support student achievement. Ensure that curriculum renewal is continuous and responsive to student needs.
2. Direct and manage district 504, Dyslexia, and Response to Intervention services.
3. Ensure that student progress is evaluated on a systematic basis and that the findings are used to make the special education program more effective.
4. Ensure the use of technology in the teaching-learning process.
5. Encourage and support the development of innovative instructional programs, helping teachers to pilot such efforts when appropriate.
6. Plan the necessary time, resources, and materials to support staff in accomplishing educational goals.
7. Manage the special education referral process; arrange for or conduct student assessments; make recommendations regarding placement and program management for individual students.
8. Supervise and monitor the Admissions, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) process throughout the district.
9. Participate in committee meetings to ensure the appropriate placement and development of individual education plans for students, according to district procedures.
10. Supervise transition services for special education students entering and exiting the public school program.
11. Provide leadership in the formulation and implementation of contracts for special education students receiving services outside of the district.
12. Obtain and use evaluative findings (including student achievement data) to gauge special education program effectiveness. Make changes when warranted.
13. Serve as a resource person in the designing and equipping of facilities for students with disabilities.

Student Management

1. Demonstrate support for the district’s student management policies and expected student behavior related to the special education program.
2. Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, and teachers concerning vital issues.

Policy, Reports, and Law

1. Recommend sound policies to improve the district’s special education /special services program.
2. Implement and comply with the policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in the area of special education.
3. Oversee rules, policy, and law as the district’s 504/ADA Coordinator.
4. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required.

Fiscal Management

1. Develop and administer the department’s local budget and district’s federal special education budget; ensure that programs are cost-effective and funds are managed prudently.
2. Compile budgets and cost estimates based on documented program needs.
3. Maintain a current inventory of supplies and equipment and recommend the replacement and disposal of equipment when necessary.
4. Approve and forward purchase orders for the department to the business office.

Personnel Management

1. Participate in the recruitment, selection, and training of personnel, and make sound recommendations relative to personnel placement, assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
2. Evaluate job performance of department employees to ensure effectiveness.
3. Plan and implement staff development activities, training options and/or improvement plans to ensure exemplary operations in the special education area.
4. Collaborate with Human Resources to prepare, review, and revise job descriptions for the department.
5. Model an attitude of professionalism, high ethical standards, and personal responsibility for all staff.

Communication and Community Relations

1. Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with principals, teachers, staff, parents, and community members.
2. Serve as district liaison to community agencies providing services to students and notify parents and students of available services.
3. Articulate the district’s mission and goals in the area of special education to the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission.
4. Demonstrate awareness of district-community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs.
5. Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement.
6. Collaborate with personnel in residential treatment centers within district boundaries to ensure coordinated service delivery to students placed residentially.
7. Attend Board meetings and other district meetings and events as required.

Professional Growth and Development

1. Maintain membership in appropriate professional organizations and serve on community boards as appropriate.
2. Attend professional development related to areas of responsibility.

Supervisory Responsibilities

1. Directly supervise Special Services Department staff.
2. Assist campus principals in the supervision of special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff.
3. Supervise and evaluate the performance of special education teachers, aides, and support staff in residential facilities located within the district.

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, and twisting

Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching

Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)

Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours; frequent district-wide travel; occasional state-wide and/or out-of-state travel

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.