Coordinator, Special Education, Early Childhood

Howard County Public School System

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of Special Education, the Coordinator, Special Education, Early Childhood provides leadership in ensuring high-quality special education services in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) to children birth to five. This position leads the implementation of policies, procedures, and programmatic oversight, fostering collaboration between school-based and central office staff for the efficient and fiscally responsible use of resources. By providing leadership and training, the Coordinator ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, regarding early childhood special education and Blueprint for Maryland's Future requirements. Through strategic partnerships and engagement with HCPSS stakeholders, community partners, and families, the Coordinator champions inclusive and equitable practices. The Coordinator ensures access to both high-quality first instruction and specially designed instruction, focusing on foundational skills, including early academic, social-emotional, and functional independence across home, community and school-based settings.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in education, applied behavior analysis, psychology, or a related field.
Hold a current Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) professional certificate or license in Generic Special Education - Infant/primary (birth - grade 3) and any of the additional endorsements below: Administrator I or II, Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals.
Applicants may be considered who hold a current out-of-state educator license and are eligible for MSDE licensure with the appropriate endorsements in special education and administration.
Applicants who do not already possess the required administrator licensure may be considered if you are eligible through one of the pathways below: Hold a current MSDE professional certificate or license and complete all MSDE requirements for the Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals endorsement by the position effective date.
Have completed a Maryland Approved Program which leads to licensure as a supervisor of instruction, assistant principal, or principal by the position effective date.
Have completed an approved out-of-state program which leads to licensure as a supervisor of instruction, assistant principal, or principal and includes a supervised clinical practicum AND earn passing score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Praxis 6990) by the position effective date.
Hold a valid professional state license in administration from another state or country and have verification of five years of effective performance as an administrator in a PreK-12 school setting.
Five years of experience as an early childhood special educator (birth through grade 3) within a PreK-12 setting or as an early interventionist for an Infants and Toddlers program.
Three years of experience in a leadership role or leading programs or projects.

Nice To Haves

Experience as an early childhood special educator (birth to 5) within a PreK-12 setting.
Experience utilizing the Child Outcomes Summary (COS) process.
Experience implementing evidence-based practices for early childhood special education.
Experience developing and conducting professional learning for a variety of stakeholders in the areas of special education or instructional leadership.
Experience managing grant and operating budgets.
Prior supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Implements and evaluates special education services across all Early Childhood Special Education programs for children birth to five with an emphasis on evidence-based practices.
Collaborates with level leaders to ensure fidelity of programmatic implementation across schools, including data analysis.
Supports the full continuum of services for children, birth to five, who have Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Promotes the inclusion of children with disabilities across natural environments, including home, community, and school-based settings.
Provides direct support to school administrators and teams providing special education services to children birth to five.
Problem-solves issues identified by staff and families.
Engages in special education program development, improvement, and evaluation.
Collaborates with other system personnel to increase student participation and achievement across natural environments.
Conducts formal evaluations of special education and support staff.
Oversees compliance with federal, state and local law, regulations, policy and procedures regarding the provision of special education services for children birth to five.
Provides consultation, guidance, and professional learning to school system staff regarding federal and state special education regulations (IDEA/COMAR) and HCPSS procedural guidelines.
Ensures implementation of a cycle of continuous improvement for systemic and state initiatives that impact students with IFSPs and IEPs.
Participates in the design, implementation and evaluation of professional learning related to Early Childhood Special Education for HCPSS staff across all levels.
Ensures alignment of DSE priorities and initiatives within the HCPSS Strategic Plan, Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and MSDE.
Supervises, supports, and evaluates the performance of the DSE professionals and support staff.
Conducts on-going data analyses with DSE leaders to support the preparation of information required for annual budget requests (local and grants).
Coordinates with HCPSS stakeholders in budget planning and maintenance.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of expenditures of supplies/materials including challenges and grant deadlines.
Plans proactively and strategically for forecasting budget sessions.
Communicates effectively and positively with all stakeholders including staff, families, and community partners.
Coordinates outreach efforts and serves as a liaison to involve parents, community members, advocacy groups and advisory groups in system/dept initiatives.
Collaborates with stakeholders, including Early Childhood Programs and community partners, as part of the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, Pillar 1, Early Childhood Special Education.