Director of Secondary Special Education

Job Description

TITLE: Director of Secondary Special Education - Central Office

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director of Secondary Special Education oversees the planning and implementation of special education programs and services in middle and high schools. This role ensures inclusive education practices, providing support and expertise to promote the academic, social, and emotional well-being of all students.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise and support special education coordinators in collaboration with building administrators.
• Coordinate Student Support Teams to plan interventions for academic, social, and emotional concerns.
• Supervise the evaluation, identification, and placement of students referred for special education.
• Oversee implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and compliance with legal timelines.
• Supervise Section 504 accommodation implementation.
• Conduct professional development for special education staff.
• Conduct regular meetings and training for special education coordinators.
• Ensure development of well-written, measurable IEPs.
• Plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate instructional programs for students receiving special education services.
• Prepare and maintain legally required reports and records.
• Monitor special education programming for compliance with laws.
• Provide professional development and support to administrators and case managers.
• Collaborate with specialized program staff to ensure appropriate support for all students.
• Provide professional development for regular education staff on special education policies and procedures.
• Maintain a regular presence in buildings to support all learners.
• Track budgetary and financial needs within school-based programs.
• Collaborate with building coordinators to secure behavioral health professionals.

POSITION GOALS:

• Establish a tiered intervention system to support learners before, during, and after special education referral.
• Streamline the special education referral process.
• Provide professional development on the science of reading and dyslexia screening.
• Ensure staff have resources for delivering specialized instruction in all academic areas.
• Identify students needs to increase mainstream learning access and reduce special education enrollment.
• Support seamless transitions throughout the special education continuum.
• Collaborate with families to understand and address community needs.
• Develop a framework for evaluating and servicing multilingual learners.
• Identify and support truant students with mental health or learning challenges.
• Develop protocols for students demonstrating high-risk behaviors.
• Train educational technicians as behavioral health professionals.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Teaching experience and educational leadership background
• Experience with SDI supporting math & literacy, and social/emotional/behavioral needs of students
• Knowledge of MUSER

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info)
• Maine State DOE Certificate with at least one of the following endorsements (more info):
  • 030 Administrator of Special Education
  • 035 Assistant Administrator of Special Education

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

• Schedule: Full Year, Full Time (1.0 FTE)
• Assignment: Permanent
• Overtime: Salaried position, not eligible for overtime
• Contract: Non-bargaining
• Salary: Salary established by non-bargaining agreement (all agreements listed here) - specific amount to be posted by 5/1
• Benefits: Eligible for benefits as outlined here
• Reports to: Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools

ABOUT PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

Portland Public Schools is one of the most diverse district's north of Boston, MA, with more than 50 languages spoken by our students and their families. It is the largest district in the state of Maine, serving almost 7,000 students from Pre-K to 12th grade, spread across 20 building and partner sites.

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Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.

Welcome to ATX Learning

Maine's largest school system has 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools serving nearly 7,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as about 4,700 adult learners.

The district takes full advantage of its location in a vibrant city with a thriving arts life. Schools draw on the resources offered by museums, theaters, local businesses and the city's colleges and universities.

Portland has a highly trained teaching staff. Many teachers hold advanced degrees. All of the district's teachers continue their education by pursuing professional development activities on a regular basis.

The district provides technology to support instruction, including laptops for each student in grades seven through 12 and wireless access at all schools.

Volunteers, parent-teacher organizations and businesses donate generously of their time and money to the district - an estimated 100,000 hours per year.

Graduates of the Portland Public Schools attend the country's top colleges and universities. See www.portlandschools.org for colleges attended by recent graduates.

The Portland Public Schools gives parents an array of program choices. The district as one of the first in the country to offer project-based Expeditionary Learning from kindergarten through 12th grade.

High school students have access to one of the broadest selections of Advanced Placement courses in Maine. Qualified high school students may take up to two college courses with tuition paid by the state. A regional arts and technology high school provides hands-on courses in growth fields such as health care, robotics and "green" construction.

More than 60 languages are spoken by students attending the Portland Public Schools. Multilingual students represent about a quarter of the district's enrollment. The district's diversity prepares all students for their roles as world citizens.

Portland residents can pursue lifelong learning and professional success through the academic, jobs skills and enrichment courses offered by Portland Adult Education.

Most of Portland's middle and high school students participate actively in co-curricular activities such as athletics, drama, music and service clubs. Portland students regularly excel in academic and athletic competitions at the regional, state and even national level.

See a list of recent honors, awards and recognition for the Portland Public Schools at: www.portlandschools.org. Join Portland ME Public Schools on Facebook. A focus on service learning-connecting the schools to the wider community-results in students undertaking many projects that benefit greater Portland.