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.