<p>Director of Special Education</p> <p>School Board Office</p> <p>School Year 2025-2026</p> <p>Are you a leader committed to ensuring inclusive educational opportunities for all students? Montgomery County Public Schools in Virginia is seeking a passionate and experienced Director of Special Education to champion the needs of our exceptional learners. If you are a visionary leader dedicated to fostering supportive and effective special education programs, we encourage you to bring your expertise and heart to our dedicated team and make a lasting difference in the lives of our students.</p> <p>PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:</p> <p>The Director of Special Education oversees the entire special education program for Montgomery County Public Schools. The director develops policies and procedures in compliance with federal and state regulations and supports the special education staff. Other duties include preparing and administering the special education budget, state and federal reports, programming for students with disabilities, professional development, and overall supervision and leadership.</p> <p>DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL SKILLS:</p> <ul> <li>Direct the design, delivery, and evaluation of comprehensive special education services, ensuring alignment with best practices </li><li>Ensure a full continuum of services and supports is available to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities </li><li>Ensure the provision of appropriate placements, specialized instruction, and related services (e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy) to facilitate student success </li><li>Direct the development, implementation, and monitoring of compliant and effective Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) </li><li>Evaluate the effectiveness of special education programs through data analysis and implement evidence-based practices for continuous improvement </li><li>Evaluate and improve special education programs, facilities, curriculum, materials, and teaching practices </li><li>Develop, articulate, and communicate a clear vision and goals for special education services that align with the division's mission and promote student success </li><li>Champion inclusive practices and cultivate a culture of high expectations for students with disabilities </li><li>Define and communicate the roles and responsibilities of special education staff to ensure effective service delivery </li><li>Oversee the evaluation process for students suspected of having a disability, ensuring compliance and timely completion </li><li>Support school administrators in meeting state and federal accreditation, accountability, and graduation requirements for students with disabilities </li><li>Develop and implement the school system's annual special education plan, ensuring alignment with state and federal mandates </li><li>Collaborate with principals to analyze student data, assess the progress of students with disabilities, and implement targeted interventions to improve outcomes </li><li>Use data to drive decision-making, monitor student progress, and evaluate program effectiveness to improve outcomes for all students with disabilities </li><li>Ensure the delivery of high-quality, specialized instruction and support to students with disabilities </li><li>Provide ongoing professional development, training, and coaching to special education staff to enhance their skills and knowledge </li><li>Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies related to special education </li><li>Represent the school division in due process hearings, complaints, and mediation, and ensure the resolution of disputes </li><li>Collaborate with all departments to integrate special education services and promote inclusive practices </li><li>Establish and maintain effective partnerships with county, regional, and state agencies to support students, families, and staff </li><li>Communicate special education program services and initiatives effectively to school personnel, families, and the community </li><li>Serve as an active member of the local Special Education Advisory Committee </li><li>Communicate openly, effectively, and professionally with all stakeholders. </li><li>Maintain liaison with educational leaders through active participation in regional, state, and national professional development seminars </li><li>Develop, manage, and monitor the special education budget to ensure resources are allocated effectively and equitably </li><li>Maintain proficiency in relevant technology to support special education services and operations </li><li>Possess and utilize excellent interpersonal and communication skills </li><li>Demonstrate strong data analysis and problem-solving skills </li><li>Demonstrate experience in the successful implementation of school-wide programs and initiatives </li><li>Demonstrate a proven track record of improving student achievement and outcomes for students with disabilities </li><li>Demonstrate the ability to effectively give presentations before large groups of people </li><li>Demonstrate an ability to maintain an unquestionable degree of confidentiality </li><li>Demonstrate the ability to multitask, work with interruptions, and work under pressure </li><li>Demonstrate dependability, punctuality, and the ability to work independently and complete tasks effectively </li><li>Perform other duties as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent </li></ul> <p>QUALIFICATIONS:</p> <ul> <li>Hold or be eligible to hold a Virginia license with an endorsement in Administration and Supervision PreK-12 </li><li>Hold a Master's degree from an accredited graduate school with academic training in special education </li><li>Have a minimum of 5 years of experience in teaching or supervising in the field of special education in a public school setting </li><li>Have three years of principal or central office leadership experience </li><li>Possess knowledge of special education regulations as mandated by federal, state, and local governments </li><li>Possess superlative leadership abilities </li><li>Have experience with shared decision-making and collaborative leadership </li></ul> <p>PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:</p> <ul> <li>Hold a Doctoral degree in an Educational field </li></ul> <p>FLSA: Exempt</p> <p>SALARY: $98,582.54 - $177,588.94 annually, with benefits; commensurate with experience (current salary scale may change due to 2025-2026 budget considerations)</p> <p>BENEFITS:</p> <p>Anthem Medical Plans - Multiple options available for comprehensive medical and prescription coverage</p> <p>Ameritas Vision Plan - Coverage includes eye exams, lenses, frames, and contact lenses</p> <p>Delta Dental Plan - FREE Delta Dental coverage for employees, spouses, and families</p> <p>Carilion EAP - FREE Confidential Employee Assistance Program providing support for mental health, legal, financial concerns, and crisis support available to employees and their families</p> <p>Generous Employee Leave Benefits - MCPS offers leave benefits for PT and FT employees, including paid sick leave, personal leave, funeral leave, and annual leave. Employees can also join a sick leave bank for extended medical absences, and earn wellness leave.</p> <p>Virginia Retirement System (VRS) - Full-time employees are eligible for the VRS and enrolled in Group Life Insurance at no cost. MCPS contributes a certain percentage to your individual retirement account.</p> <p>Employee Sick Leave Bank - Employees earning sick leave may elect to join our Sick Leave Bank which allows employees to access days in the event of a catastrophic or long term illness when the employee has exhausted all other leave available.</p> <p>You may visit the link below for quick access to your employee benefits portal page. Look around to find your offered policy information, claim forms, search for a provider, and more.</p> <p>https://mymarkiii.com/mcpsva/</p> <p>CLOSING DATE: Open until filled</p> <p>EEO Statement:</p> <p>The Montgomery County School Board is an equal opportunity employer, committed to nondiscrimination in recruitment, selection, hiring, pay, promotion, retention, or other personnel action affecting employees or candidates for employment. Therefore, discrimination in employment against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, status as a veteran, and genetic information (including family medical history) is prohibited. Personnel decisions shall be based on merit and the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, when necessary. The Montgomery County School Board shall provide facilities, programs and activities that are accessible, usable and available to qualified disabled persons. Further, the Montgomery County School Board shall not discriminate against qualified disabled persons in the provision of health, welfare and other social services</p> <p>The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies:</p> <p>Director of Human Resources and Assistant Director of Human Resources</p> <p>750 Imperial Street, SE, Christiansburg, VA 24073</p> <p>(540) 382-5100</p>