Director of Special Education

Position Type:
Administration

Date Posted:
10/9/2026

Location:
District Office - DO

Date Available:
07/01/2027

District:
Alsip, Hazelgreen & Oak Lawn School District 126
The Director of Special Education position is available for the 2027-2028 school year beginning on July 1, 2027.


It is anticipated that the School Board of Education will take action on hiring the Director of Special Education at the January 2027 school board meeting.


Job Description Overview: The Director of Special Education is responsible for implementing and maintaining all Special Education programs and services in conformance to District, State and Federal objectives; providing written support and/or conveying information; serving as a resource to patrons, school personnel and the Board; and maintaining adequate staffing to ensure objectives of programs are met.

Required Qualifications:

• Current, valid Professional Educator License (PEL)
• Current, valid Illinois D irector of Special Education E ndorsement
• Current, valid endorsement of at least one of the following:

1. Special Education Pre K-Age 21 Endorsements (LBSI, LBSII)
2. Speech and Language Pathologist (non-teaching)
3. School Social Worker
4. School Psychologist

• At least 2 years experience of full-time special education service delivery

P referred Qualifications :

• Current, valid Illinois General Administrative Endorsement
• Experience in a supervisory position

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with District school principals and school special education teachers for the purpose of implementing and maintaining services and/or programs
• Sets staffing levels for school special education programs for the purpose of providing services with fiscal efficiency
• Directs personnel, for the purpose of delivering services that conform to established guidelines
• Develops proposals, new programs, budgets and grants for the purpose of meeting District goals
• Evaluates District and School Special Education programs. Monitors the implementation of special education and compliance with regulations in each location, for the purpose of carrying out and achieving objectives within area of responsibility
• Facilitates meetings and processes, for the purpose of implementing and maintaining Special Education programs and services of the district, which achieve desired objectives
• Implements assigned programs and/or projects for the purpose of conforming to district and state curriculum and/or instructional objectives
• Works in conjunction with the Business manager to utilize fiscal resources from the General Fund and special education grants, prepares budgets and directs spending, and monitors maintenance of effort, for the purpose of fiscal efficiency in providing required services
• Prepares documentation and reports data to the Illinois State Board of Education for the purpose of providing written support, conveying information, and complying with Federal and State regulations
• Communicates information on programs, services, and regulations to school personnel, parents, the Board and other districts for the purpose of understanding of the programs
• Recruits, hires, supervises, and evaluates District-level special education staff including special education teachers, speech pathologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and paraprofessionals, for the purpose of carrying out objectives within areas of responsibility
• Serves as the District Representative for IEP and eligibility meetings
• Coordinates with outside agencies to provide services to students and staff, for the purpose of offering appropriate service
• Directs the Medicaid Administrative Claiming process and direct billing of Medicaid-eligible special education services provided by the district, for the purpose of gaining fiscal resources
• Serves as the District liaison to the Eisenhower Cooperative, ISC4, and the Illinois State Board of Education for special education services
• Supervises the training of special education instructional assistants for the purpose of assuring well-trained personnel
• Maintains a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in the laws and case law, and educational methods of educating students with disabilities, for the purpose of managing an excellent special education program
• Other Job Functions: Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities
• Reports to the Board of Education on special education matters as directed by the Superintendent
• Advises Superintendent regarding special education matters

Physical Requirements:

• The employee should have the physical capabilities to perform the job functions

Disclaimer

• Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time;
• This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned;
• This job description is subject to change at any time
• District 126 will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990