Director of Special Education- INTERNAL Applicants Only

Sussex County Public Schools•Stony Creek, VA

About The Position

The Director of Special Education is a 12-month position that provides strategic leadership and oversight for all PK–12 special education programs and services. This position ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), state regulations, and district policies while promoting inclusive practices, high-quality instruction, and equitable outcomes for students with disabilities. This position provides leadership, technical assistance, and direct support to school-based teams, educators, students, and families to foster inclusive learning environments and promote student success.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or related field (required).
Valid state licensure in Special Education and Administration/Supervision.
Minimum of five years of successful experience in special education, including leadership experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA, compliance monitoring, and inclusive instructional practices.
Possess leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively as a team member with Superintendent, Director of Student Services, Director of Instruction, Director of Finance and Operations, central office staff, principals, teachers, parents, and community
Extensive knowledge of federal and state special education laws, regulations, policies, and procedures (e.g., IDEA, ADA)
Knowledgeable of special education laws and guidelines, Virginia’s Standards of Learning, current effective instructional practices
Possess excellent written and oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to foster positive relationships with all stakeholders
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks, caseloads, and deadlines effectively
Proficient in navigating and utilizing the VA IEP system
Ability to analyze data and use it to inform decision-making
Patience, empathy, resourcefulness, and a positive attitude when working with students, families, and colleagues
Ability to assist, move, or restrain students when required to intervene in student safety issues
May involve occasional prolonged hours, including evening meetings
Travel between school sites is often required
May involve exposure to challenging student behaviors and require the ability to de-escalate situations
Demonstrate overall good health
Ability to lift and/or move up to 5 pounds occasionally

Nice To Haves

Experience with budget management and Medicaid reimbursement processes preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee the K-12 Special Education Program for the division, ensuring comprehensive and compliant services for all students with disabilities
Develop and maintain special education programs within federal and state law/guidelines
Collect, disaggregate and maintain division data relevant to the special education program
Provide assistance and support to schools by keeping schools abreast of developing trends and requirements of special education
Facilitate, lead, manage, and oversee the development, review, and revision of legally compliant Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that reflect analysis of assessment data, student strengths, and individual needs, goals, and objectives
Conduct and lead eligibility meetings
Provide guidance and support to special education teachers in writing strong, data-driven IEPs and behavior plans
Ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations related to IEP timelines, documentation, and implementation
Conduct fidelity checks of teaching procedures and student programming outlined in IEPs
Serve as a lead for professional development, coordinating essential training that equips staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet all special education mandates
Assist with the instructional program in the development of curriculum and pacing guides aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning to facilitate the success of the special education program
Coordinate the district’s participation in the cooperation with regional programs related to special education
Collaborate with the facilitator of Federal programs on Title I and other instructional services
Assist in the development of long and short-term instructional program planning for the school division as it relates to special education service delivery
Evaluate staffing needs and make recommendations to the Director of Student Services, Director of Instruction, Human Resources, and the Division Superintendent
Collaborate bi-weekly/monthly with the Finance Department regarding grants, revenue, disbursement, payroll, employee benefits, and the maintenance of personnel records as it relates to special education professionals
Complete and oversee grant funding pertaining to Special Education
Work collaboratively with local agencies, community and parent groups on a variety of committees and advisory boards relative to student needs and services
Develop, manage and administer various budgets as assigned
Coordinate and supervise the Early Childhood Special Education Program Referral Intake, Prior Notice Meeting, Testing, Eligibility, I.E.P. meetings, Programming, and Grant Proposal
Oversee and manage federal grants pertaining to Special Education
Consult with teachers for children with special needs participating in the Head Start program
Conduct an annual “Child Find” which includes community awareness and screenings in the areas of hearing, vision, cognition, adaptive, and motor development
Monitor school-based compliance with special education laws, regulations (e.g., IDEA, Article 7), and district policies and procedures.
Conduct regular audits of IEPs and other special education documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance
Provide technical assistance and training to school-based teams on referral, evaluation, and eligibility processes for special education services
Collect, analyze, and report data related to student progress, compliance, and program effectiveness
Collaborate effectively with general education teachers, related service providers, administrators, parents, and community agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to student support
Communicate effectively and in a timely manner with parents/guardians to address concerns, provide updates on student progress, and facilitate family involvement
Participate in a variety of meetings, including IEP meetings (often serving as the Local Education Agency/Administrative Designee), staff meetings, professional learning communities, and district-level special education meetings
Provide oversight and coordination of the district’s Medicaid billing program for eligible special education and related services.
Ensure accurate documentation, compliance, and timely submission of claims in accordance with federal and state Medicaid regulations.
Collaborate with finance and service providers to monitor billing procedures, maximize reimbursement, and maintain audit readiness
Perform other duties and assume such responsibilities or special projects as assigned