Assistant Director of Special Programs

Dedham Public Schools•Dedham, MA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Dedham Public Schools seeks an Assistant Director of Special Programs to support the design, coordination, and continuous improvement of special education services across the district. This role oversees out-of-district (OOD) placements and caseload management, while advancing in-district program development, early intervention systems, and professional learning that builds staff capacity to deliver high-quality Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) in inclusive settings. The Assistant Director also provides flexible leadership support across Student Services, balancing program development, regulatory requirements, and student-centered decision-making.

Requirements

Massachusetts licensure as a Special Education Administrator
Demonstrated knowledge of special education law, procedures, and compliance
Strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with OOD placements and program development preferred

Responsibilities

Manage the district’s OOD caseload, including placement coordination, monitoring, and communication with providers and families
Identify and secure appropriate placements aligned with student needs
Chair and coordinate TEAM meetings related to OOD placements (initial, annual, and re-evaluations)
Monitor student progress, attendance, and program effectiveness
Support transitions to less restrictive environments when appropriate
Maintain records related to placements, tuition, timelines, and Circuit Breaker reimbursement
Ensure compliance with state and federal special education requirements related to placement, timelines, and documentation
Collaborate with the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and school teams to design and implement pre-referral and pre-OOD interventions
Support development and refinement of in-district programs and services to increase capacity and inclusion
Assist teams in implementing evidence-based interventions and SDI
Promote alignment with UDL, MTSS, and inclusive practices
Analyze referral and placement trends to inform program development
Collaborate with the Assistant Superintendent and ETLs to design and deliver high-quality, job-embedded professional learning
Focus on Least Restrictive Environments through SDI, inclusive practices, and UDL
Support teams in translating professional learning into classroom practice and service delivery
Use data (referrals, OOD trends, student outcomes) to target professional learning and build in-district capacity
Provide leadership support across Student Services initiatives, including: Students experiencing homelessness (McKinney-Vento), Foster care placements and transitions, Complex case consultation and crisis response, Preventative and wraparound programming aligned with the district’s system of care
Support district compliance efforts, including timelines, documentation, and preparation for audits or reviews
Participate in department and district meetings
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services