Director, Special Education, Secondary Schools

Howard County Public School System • Perryton, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Executive Director of Special Education, the Director, Special Education, Secondary Schools provides strategic leadership and oversight for special education programs and services across middle and high schools, ensuring that students with disabilities have equitable access to high-quality instruction, supports, and opportunities for success. This position partners with school administrators, educators, families, and community stakeholders to promote inclusive practices, improve student outcomes, and ensure compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations (COMAR) requirements. The Director leads the implementation of district initiatives, supports continuous improvement efforts, and uses data to drive decision-making and resource allocation, including the management and oversight of budgets. Through collaboration, problem-solving, and system-level leadership, the Director ensures that schools effectively meet the diverse academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and transition needs of students with disabilities. This role directly supports the HCPSS mission and vision and the HCPSS Strategic Plan by fostering learning environments where every student can access meaningful educational opportunities, achieve their full potential, and be prepared for college, career, and community success.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction or a related field.
• Hold a current Maryland State Department of Education professional certificate or license in Generic Special Education (secondary/adult, grades 6-Adult OR elementary/middle, grades 1-8) and any of the additional endorsements below: Administrator I or Administrator II Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals
• Applicants who do not already possess the required licensure above 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 in instructional leadership roles supervising special education teaching and learning at the secondary level.

Nice To Haves

• Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction or a related field.
• Experience utilizing strategic master scheduling, coteaching, and other instructional models to meet student needs at the secondary level.
• Experience supporting transition services for students ages 14 –21.
• Experience managing operating and/or grant budgets within a complex organization, such as a public-school system, or comparably structured organization.
• Experience achieving measurable organizational change that includes: Leading and managing cross-departmental projects or initiatives that advance special education programs and departmental priorities.
• Engaging and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders including community groups and Board of Education members to support implementation efforts and communicate program outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership, supervision, and oversight in the administration and evaluation of special education services in all secondary schools for children and students in grades 6-12.
• Oversees compliance with federal, state, and local law, regulations, policy and procedures regarding the provision of special education services for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Partners and collaborates with school-based administrators, central office leaders, related service providers, and general and special education teaching staff to address special education related school and student needs.
• Represents the Department of Special Education on district committees and workgroups, and performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Special Education and the Chief Academic Officer.
• Serves as a liaison between schools, families, and community agencies such as the Special Education Students Advisory Committee (SECAC), and state educational agencies.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees.
• Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.
• Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
• The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director