Job Description

Terms of Employment: 12-month
Exemption Status: Exempt
Salary Scale: EACC, A2_SP
https://www.ccboe.com/careers/salary-scales

Primary Purpose Provide executive leadership for the district's specialized instructional programs, placement continuum, extended services, and transition initiatives by leading program development, operational planning, continuous improvement, and strategic decision-making to ensure equitable access, high-quality implementation, and long-term program sustainability.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
• Master's and/or advanced graduate degree and/or doctoral degree in Special Education.
• Eligibility for or current Maryland certification in Special Education.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Special Education.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with students receiving special education services in a specialized program
• Maryland Administrator I credential required
• Preferred prior experience in supervising direct reports and responsible for the implementation and supervision of a special education program and/or initiative

QUALIFICATIONS
Evidence of exemplary human relations skills.
• Ability to speak and write effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of others.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in Special Education Compliance, IEP writing and monitoring of.
• Commitment to the mission of Charles County Public Schools.
• Demonstrated successful leadership in educational activities.
• Understanding of effective schools' research and Special Education practice research as well as demonstrated effort to implement the research findings into daily practices in schools.
• Understanding of the continuum of special education programs and services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Strategic Program Leadership
• Lead the strategic planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of the district's specialized instructional programs, including SOAR, Emotional Adjustment (EA), ACHIEVE, ACE, Secondary Transition, Nonpublic Programs, ESY, and Autism Waiver.
• Establish annual division priorities, measurable performance goals, and program improvement plans aligned with departmental and district strategic initiatives.
• Develop multi-year recommendations for program expansion, redesign, consolidation, or creation based on enrollment trends, student outcomes, staffing, and community needs.
Program Operations & Capacity Planning
• Direct annual planning for specialized program capacity, staffing allocations, classroom locations, enrollment projections, transportation implications, and resource needs.
• Lead program capacity reviews and make recommendations regarding the continuum of services, regionalization, and placement availability.
• Develop staffing models and operational plans to support sustainable program growth and efficient resource utilization.
• Monitor program implementation using fidelity measures and operational performance indicators.
Placement & Continuum of Services
• Lead the district's continuum of services planning to ensure students are educated in the least restrictive environment while maintaining appropriate specialized supports.
• Guide ICIEP and IST processes involving complex placements and program access.
• Collaborate with the Coordinator of Nonpublic Programs to ensure timely, appropriate placement decisions and effective management of nonpublic services.
• Analyze placement trends and identify opportunities to increase in-district programming and reduce reliance on outside placements when appropriate.
Extended Services
• Direct districtwide planning, implementation, and evaluation of ESY, including staffing, transportation coordination, communication, scheduling, and operational logistics.
• Oversee implementation of the Autism Waiver Program and evaluate service delivery, family engagement, and operational effectiveness.
• Develop annual ESY improvement plans based on participation data, staffing trends, and stakeholder feedback.
Secondary Transition
• Provide executive leadership for districtwide transition services, career readiness initiatives, community partnerships, and postsecondary planning.
• Monitor district performance related to transition outcomes and ensure compliance with transition planning requirements.
• Expand partnerships with employers, agencies, and community organizations to increase postsecondary opportunities for students with disabilities.
Program Evaluation & Accountability
• Develop and monitor program performance dashboards using student outcome data, enrollment trends, staffing metrics, fidelity measures, and stakeholder feedback.
• Conduct annual program evaluations and present recommendations for improvement to departmental leadership.
• Use data to identify trends, prioritize resources, and support strategic decision-making.
Cross-Divisional Collaboration
• Partner with the Division of Specialized Instruction & Related Services to strengthen instructional quality within specialized programs.
• Collaborate with the Division of Dispute Resolution & Compliance to address program-related complaints, corrective actions, and procedural concerns.
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Transportation, Human Resources, and Facilities to ensure successful implementation of specialized programs.
Leadership & Organizational Development
• Supervise Coordinators and Instructional Specialists through coaching, evaluation, and professional growth.
• Develop operational procedures, implementation guidance, and standardized expectations across specialized programs.
• Lead cross-functional workgroups to improve efficiency, consistency, and communication across programs.
• Represent the Department in district committees, state initiatives, and community partnerships related to specialized programming.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-50 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand, and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear.

Charles County Public Schools reserves the right to re-advertise and modify the content of vacancy announcements at any time; however, this may be the only notice for this position during the noted advertisement period.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability in its programs, activities, or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Michael Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations, call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.