Director of Special Services

Director of Special Services

Pay Range: $142,800 – $164,566 As per Administrator Association CBA, Salary Schedule A (CY 2026–2027)

As Director of Special Services, you will serve as the educational leader of the Special Services Department, responsible for articulating the district's mission, vision, and educational goals to faculty, staff, families, students, and the public.

You will promote the development and sustainability of best practices related to the effective implementation of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans within Board Policy and applicable legal guidelines.

This role is responsible for coordinating alignment of materials and resources, instructional program evaluation, personnel management, department professional development, staff scheduling, and fiscal oversight of Special Services. The Director oversees Special Education services (Pre-K through High School) and Section 504 implementation.

Reports To: Superintendent of Schools

Supervision: Directly supervises administrative office staff, IEP Coordinators, 504 Coordinator, Assistive Technologists, and oversees Special Education Teachers and Educational Technicians.

Terms of Employment: Full-time, Year-round, Union, Salaried Position

Qualifications

Love what you do—working at RSU 21 developing educational programs for teachers and students.

• Maine certification as Director of Special Education (030) required
• Master's degree required
• Minimum five (5) years experience as a special educator
• Minimum two (2) years administrative experience
• Strong background in special education leadership and program development

Evidence of Strong Skills In:

• Budget and school finance
• Special education and school law
• Interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills
• Community relations
• Curriculum and instruction
• Educational philosophy and theory
• Leadership and organizational management
• Creativity in individualized program development
• Personnel management
• Staff development
• Supervision and evaluation of personnel

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Collaborate with Superintendent, principals, and district staff to ensure equitable access to services
• Ensure highly qualified staff are hired, retained, and provided ongoing professional development
• Ensure compliance with state and federal special education and Section 504 requirements
• Contribute to the district's educational philosophy
• Remain current on legal requirements governing special education and Section 504
• Develop, evaluate, and improve programs and services
• Participate in recruitment, selection, and hiring recommendations
• Maintain required reports, records, and documentation
• Develop and maintain records for all students receiving services
• Develop and manage the annual Special Services budget
• Interpret Special Services programs to stakeholders and the public
• Establish procurement procedures for supplies and materials
• Approve materials and texts used by Special Services staff
• Engage in ongoing professional learning and development
• Lead and support staff professional development initiatives

Student Centered

• Implement strategies that support inclusion and high-quality instruction
• Ensure effective implementation of research-based interventions
• Support learning environments that meet student needs
• Establish procedures for evaluation, placement, and reappraisal of students
• Coordinate home instruction for homebound or hospitalized students
• Evaluate programs, curricula, procedures, and student outcomes
• Consult with families of students receiving services
• Maintain knowledge of evidence-based intervention strategies

Climate and Culture

• Build a trusting, transparent, and goal-oriented district culture
• Incorporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles across all programming

Cabinet Member

• Participate in district-wide strategic and Cabinet-level decision-making
• Provide input on district priorities and initiatives
• Offer strategic guidance to the Board of Directors
• Coach and support district administrators

Key Competencies

• Visionary: Maintains long-term strategic planning focus
• Commitment to Management: Coaches staff while promoting accountability and excellence
• Strategic Prioritization: Focuses on highest-impact priorities
• Accountability: Holds self and staff to clear expectations and outcomes
• Subject Expertise: Demonstrates leadership in special education and emerging practices
• Critical Judgment: Makes informed, thoughtful, and effective decisions
• Communication: Clearly articulates complex information and gathers input effectively
• Problem-Solving: Uses proactive and collaborative approaches

Reasonable Accommodations

RSU 21 will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or applicable law, unless doing so would cause undue hardship.

Evaluation

The Superintendent manages the annual performance evaluation process of the Director of Special Services, including goal setting, periodic check-ins, and end-of-year review.