Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Associate Superintendent of Special Education, the Director of Instructional Programs and Compliance will oversee special education services, including the planning, monitoring, compliance and evaluation of services designed to meet the requirements as required by federal and state regulations for students with disabilities from K-12.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides strategic leadership and direct supervision to assigned offices within the Department of Special Education, including those responsible for the direct oversight of school-aged services in grades K-12, compliance and comprehensive coordinated early intervention services (CCEIS);
- Collaborates with the Associate Superintendent and Instructional Supervisor of Compliance regarding the coordination and management of all activities related to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) complaints, requests for mediation, hearings and resolution meetings, and Office for Civil Rights requests;
- Oversees the coordination of Individualized Education Program (IEP) audits to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, including development of compliance reports using data collection, analysis and interpretation, and training and coaching related to state complaints and IEP audits;
- Oversees the coordinated planning, design and implementation of instructional service delivery across the full continuum of special education services, grades K-12, and serves as a critical resource to school personnel to ensure effective and compliant program execution;
- Ensures central office and school-based administrators, educators, paraprofessionals and related service providers receive access to high-quality professional learning activities to build their capacity to serve students with disabilities;
- Coordinates and collaborates with various PGCPS offices and external partners to ensure strategic plan goals of PGCPS and the Department of Special Education are met;
- Responds to parents, administration and school staff within PGCPS concerning issues related to special education services and compliance; and
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), and other policies and legislation that impact the rights of students with disabilities;
- Knowledge of Maryland’s College and Career Ready Standards, Alternate Instructional Framework, and general and alternate assessments, and the ability to apply these to curriculum, classroom instruction and accommodation policies;
- Knowledge and understanding of various service delivery models and specially designed instruction to ensure improved performance and compliance outcomes for students with disabilities;
- Knowledge of professional learning formats and strategies to ensure administrators and educators are trained on the legal requirements and mandates to fulfill IDEA and COMAR regulations;
- Knowledge of IEP monitoring systems and structures, and how to apply results to improve schools’ performance and compliance indicators;
- Proficient in organizing, planning, and executing projects within deadlines and budget constraints;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact with a wide range of stakeholders, including principals, district staff, parents, etc.;
- Demonstrated experience and leadership in the area of supervising administrative and instructional personnel;
- Experience using data collection tools to support the analysis of systems; experience with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace;
- Ability to work effectively, collaboratively and lead cross-functional teams, mentor school leaders, and drive improvement and strategic plans;
- Ability to assess complex issues and develop strategic, compliant and student-centered solutions; and
- Ability to monitor IEPs and MSDE complaints within the district to ensure a timely response and appropriate actions are completed.
Education and/or Experience Requirements:
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, special education or related services field required. A minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience in special education or providing related services to students with disabilities.
Certification:
Holds or is eligible for a valid professional license in Administrator I (historical) or Supervisor of Instruction, Assistant Principal, or Principal issued by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE); endorsement in special education or dual certification in general and special education or a related services field required.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Oversees and provides guidance and direction to the unit staff.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
Working Environment:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
Additional Information:
None.
