Director of Special Services

Rio Rancho Public Schools•Rio Rancho, NM

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This job posting is for the 2026-2027 school year RRPS Special Services Department. This is a 240-day contract position. The Director of Special Services is responsible for implementing and maintaining birth to age 21 Special Education programs and services in conformance to District, State and Federal objectives. This role serves as a resource to patrons, school personnel, and the Board, and is responsible for maintaining adequate staffing within budget, collaborating with principals and specialists, and directing personnel for service delivery. The Director develops proposals, new programs, budgets, and grants, and evaluates programs for compliance with regulations. They facilitate meetings, manage fiscal resources, and communicate information about programs, services, and regulations. This position involves recruiting, hiring, supervising, and evaluating District-level special education staff. The Director also serves as the District Representative for IEP meetings and suggests district Board Policy for special education. Maintaining a high level of knowledge regarding special education issues, laws, and methods is crucial. Employees may be assigned other duties as needed and must comply with ethical standards and regulations.

Requirements

MA in Education with a Special Education Endorsement from a regionally accredited college or university
Level III-B, Administrative Licensure from NM Public Education Department
Minimum of 6 years as a Special Education Teacher or other related field

Nice To Haves

3-5 years administrative experience

Responsibilities

Implementing and maintaining birth to age 21 Special Education programs and services in conformance to District, State and Federal objectives
Provides written support when conveying information
Serves as a resource to patrons, school personnel and the Board
Maintains adequate staffing to ensure objectives of programs and services are achieved within budget
Collaborates with District school principals and school site specialists for the purpose implementing and maintaining services and/or programs
Directs personnel for the purpose of delivering services which conform to established guidelines
Develops proposals, new programs, budgets and grants for the purpose of meeting District goals
Evaluates District and school Special Education programs and monitors the implementation of special education and compliance with regulations in each location for the purpose of carrying out and achieving objectives within area of responsibility
Facilitates meetings and processes for the purpose of implementing and maintaining Special Education programs and services of the district which achieve desired objectives
Implements assigned programs and/or projects to conform to district and state curriculum and/or instructional objectives
Manages fiscal resources from the General Fund and special education grants, prepares budgets and directs spending, and monitors maintenance of effort to provide required services for fiscal efficiency
Communicates information for better understanding of programs, services, and regulations to school personnel, parents, the Board and other districts
Recruits, hires, supervises, and evaluates District-level special education staff including clerical support staff, diagnosticians, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and recreation therapists
Serves as the District Representative for IEP meetings when resources beyond school budgets may be considered for the purpose of efficiently managing fiscal resources while meeting special education regulations
Suggests district Board Policy for special education as is needed or required, for the purpose of assuring program consistency and compliance with state and federal rules in all locations
Maintains a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in the laws and case law, and educational methods of educating students with disabilities for the purpose of managing an excellent special education program
Employee may be assigned other duties based on the needs of the district during the term of employment
Complies with state-approved New Mexico Administrative Code of Ethical Responsibility of the Education Profession and the RRPS Employee Standards of Conduct and upholds and enforces rules, administrative directives and regulations, school board policies, and local, state and federal regulations