Executive Director for Special Education

Location: EAC (Education and Administration Center)

Recruiting Start Date: 10/12/2026

Estimated Start Date: 11/13/2026

Provides executive leadership for district-wide Special Education services, budget and operations, staff members; responsible for the administration of all applicable Special Education laws, policies, procedures, and practices; directs and manages Special Education administrators and staff members; provides support for school-based administrators and other staff members.

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and other key duties that may be required. The description may not include all functions performed by the incumbents in various locations. The district reserves the right to modify or change the duties or the essential functions of this job at any time.

R eports consistently for work as scheduled

Performs other duties as assigned

Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards

Assists in recruitment and selection of Special Education and related student support staff and develops and maintains staffing structures that support programmatic needs, student enrollment, service requirements, and organizational priorities

Collaborates with directors and leaders for curriculum and instruction, assessment, professional learning, and other departments to coordinate intervention processes, instructional supports, assessment practices, and services addressing the unique learning needs of students with disabilities

Collaborates with principals in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating Special Education services and programs and provides technical assistance and professional guidance to school leaders and staff

Collaboratively develops, allocates, monitors, and manages the Special Education budget, ensuring resources are aligned with student needs, organizational priorities, and applicable fiscal requirements

Communicates regularly with building administrators, the Special Education leadership team, and Learning Services leadership team to ensure alignment, consistency, collaboration, and effective implementation of Special Education programs and services

Coordinates with the Colorado Department of Education and other agencies regarding monitoring, corrective actions, reporting, compliance matters, and other regulatory requirements

Develops and implements professional learning offerings related to Special Education, specialized instruction, health and safety, behavior support, compliance, and other areas of student need to increase staff and administrator expertise

Develops and maintains partnerships with parents, students, community agencies, and community members to support the unique needs and educational rights of students with disabilities and ensure meaningful participation in educational decision-making

Ensures ongoing compliance with all laws, rules, regulations, Board of Education policies, and applicable state and federal requirements related to Special Education and related student services

Leads and facilitates cross-departmental collaboration, partnering closely with Learning Services and departments including Human Resources, Operations, Information Technology, Finance, Communications, and other District functions to support students with and without disabilities

Monitors, evaluates, and improves instructional practices and service delivery through formal and informal assessments, analysis of data, program evaluation, compliance monitoring, and identification of research-based best practices

Oversees and allocates District Special Education staffing resources and analyzes school-level caseloads and service requirements to determine appropriate staffing allocations

Oversees data collection, documentation, monitoring, and reporting processes for compliance and other local, state, and federal requirements and ensures the accuracy and timeliness of submissions

Oversees Special Education policies, procedures, programs, and service delivery across authorized schools and monitors implementation of requirements related to identification, evaluation, IEP development and implementation, procedural safeguards, and student and family rights

Oversees the allocation, monitoring, reporting, and compliance of state and federal grant funds, including IDEA and Medicaid-related resources, and communicates funding matters to appropriate District leaders

Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for Special Education and related student support services across the District, ensuring alignment, consistency, accountability, and equitable access to high-quality services across diverse school communities

Provides leadership and vision in the identification, implementation, and evaluation of research-based practices in assessment, curriculum, instruction, professional learning, programming, and inclusive practices for students with disabilities

Provides leadership in change management, systems improvement, resource allocation, and organizational capacity-building to address competing priorities and ensure consistent and effective implementation across the District

Provides oversight of the District Behavior Team, including supervision and coordination of Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and Registered Behavior Technicians, to support effective behavioral interventions and services for students with and without disabilities

Provides oversight of the District nursing program, including supervision and coordination of lead nurses, to support effective delivery of health services for students with and without disabilities

Provides supervision and evaluation for licensed and classified staff as assigned, including directors and administrators, and provides strategic direction, professional support, performance oversight, and accountability

Reviews and analyzes Special Education data, compliance indicators, student achievement and growth data, and other performance measures to identify areas for improvement and inform District accountability and school-improvement processes

Serves as the District’s Authorizing Unit (AU) Director for Special Education and ensures compliance with IDEA, ECEA, CDE requirements, Board of Education policies, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations

Serves as the executive designee for legal and regulatory matters, including Office for Civil Rights complaints, state complaints, and due process proceedings, and coordinates with legal counsel and District leaders towards appropriate resolution

Supervises and supports the work of administrators and assists with committees, program evaluation, standards and assessment implementation, professional learning activities, strategic initiatives, and District projects

Utilizes student achievement, growth, program, staffing, and service data to drive instructional programming, resource allocation, program evaluation, and continuous improvement for students with disabilities

Works closely with the Assistant Superintendent for Learning Services and other District leaders to ensure the mission, vision, strategic priorities, and accountability expectations of Learning Services are achieved

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to adapt to changing technologies and to learn functionality of new equipment and systems

Ability to collect, analyze, and report data for program evaluation and improvement

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in various software systems

Ability to establish and maintain effective communications and working relationships with individuals from many diverse backgrounds and professions including supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, and the general public

Ability to follow oral and written instructions

Ability to greet and interact with the public in a courteous and professional manner

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities

Ability to operate standard office equipment, performing a wide range of supportive tasks

Ability to plan and manage budgets including state and federal grant money

Ability to plan, lead, and facilitate the work of teams and committees

Ability to utilize technology effectively to enhance learning

Ability to work cooperatively with others in program development, implementation, and evaluation

Ability to work days, hours, locations, and assignments as directed by the supervisor within the position responsibilities

Ability to work independently without direct supervision

Ability to work with building and district level administrators

Commitment to the education of students as a primary responsibility

Computer proficiency including office productivity applications

Demonstrates citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness

Demonstrates effective planning, organization, implementation and communication skills, including problem solving and conflict resolution

Detail-oriented, energetic, creative, innovative, flexible

Enthusiasm for the field of Special Education

Evidence of successful change leadership at many levels of an organization

Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills

Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills

Experience in leadership roles, professional learning, program development, and evaluation

Knowledge of and experience with Special Education laws, compliance indicators, IEP monitoring and auditing processes, policies, procedures, programming, and best practices

Knowledge of and experience with the use of technology, especially as it improves teaching and learning

Knowledge of Colorado Academic Standards and implementation

Knowledge of Colorado Department of Education qualifications for licensed Special Education staff

Knowledge of curriculum, supervision, instruction, school-based processes and operations, culture, and community along with a strong student focus on individualizing for special needs

Knowledge of educational pedagogy

Knowledge of effective professional learning practices for adult learners

Knowledge of elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education

Knowledge of research-based best practices in assessment, curriculum, and instruction, especially related to Special Education

Proven ability to articulate a vision and implement it within an organization

Proven ability to listen and learn from feedback and adjust accordingly

Proven experience in dealing with challenging situations

Proven experience in making improvements to programs and processes

Proven successful supervisory experience

Strong knowledge of Colorado Academic Standards, methods to ensure they appear in IEP's and Inclusive Practices for students with disabilities

Understands and can successfully lead change at many levels of the organization

Willingness to participate in ongoing training

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a staff member typically encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive.

Physical Demands: The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive. All physical demands, if listed, are considered essential functions.

Sits, stands, walks, stoops, kneels, and crouches/squats while performing duties

Has oral and auditory capacity enabling interaction interpersonally and/or through communication devices

Uses eyes, hands, and finger coordination enabling the use of equipment and writing utensils

Cognitive Functions: The following are some of the cognitive functions commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive. The staff member may be required to analyze, communicate, compare, compile, compute, coordinate, copy, evaluate, instruct, negotiate, synthesize, reason, and use interpersonal skills.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's (Baccalaureate) degree (e.g., B.A., A.B., B.S.)

M aster's degree (e.g., M.A., M.S., M.Eng, M.Ed, M.S.W., M.B.A., M.L.S.)

Initial Principal License and/or Initial Administrator License ( Meets eligibility requirements and has applied for licensure at least one month prior to the start date for the position )

Initial Special Education Director License ( required within 18 months of start date )

3-5 Years Licensed School Site Experience

3-5 Years Administrative Experience in a School or District Level Position

Preferred Qualifications:

3-5 Years Building Principal Experience

3-5 Years Special Education Experience

Experience at Elementary and Secondary School Levels

Salary Placement: Based on job relevant experience only

Timeline:

Posting Date: Monday, October 12

Closing Date: Monday, November 2 at Noon

Preliminary Interviews: Thursday, November 5

Final Interviews: Tuesday, November 10

Compensation Range: $140,020-$150,020

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Hours per Day: 8.0 hour(s) per day

Number of Days per Year: 225 Days

Benefits Eligibility:

Full-time - Regular For more information on our benefits, please visit Employee Benefits | Academy District 20 (asd20.org) .

FLSA Status: United States of America (Exempt)

How to Apply: New applicants (including current District staff members) must use the Workday application portal. Documents emailed directly to a supervisor will not be considered for application purposes and will not receive a response. A completed online application also includes the following uploaded documents in PDF format:

A letter of application which states why you feel you are qualified for the position and your background

A statement of your philosophy of administration and the role of the administrator in this position

A current resume

Three current letters of recommendation (i.e., less than one year old)

Complete undergraduate and graduate transcripts (in color, readable, and reflecting official status where applicable)

Applicable Colorado License or evidence of eligibility as indicated in the job posting above

Please note, we do not accept "Alternative Principal Authorizations" and you must meet eligibility requirements and have applied for licensure at least one month prior to the start date for the position.

No other documents will be accepted. Thank you for not uploading and submitting any additional materials.

Please do not call to request site visits or interviews at the school/location. Please direct all inquiries via the email address indicated on the posting.

Hiring Manager Email:

becky.harris@asd20.org