Director of Special Education

About the Role

Career Connections Recruiting is partnered with a leading autism-focused educational organization operating as both an Approved Private School (APS) and a Licensed Private Academic School (LPAS). We’re seeking a mission-driven Director of Special Education to provide strategic leadership for psychology, health, student services, and evaluative services across the school. The Director serves on the program director leadership team, driving initiatives and workflows that deliver high-quality outcomes for students with autism spectrum disorder.

What You’ll Do

Program Leadership & Operations

• Lead and direct Student Services (Health & Educational) and Evaluative Services; collaborate closely with the Behavioral Services Manager.
• Set department goals, key success indicators, and quality improvement controls; monitor program trends, incident frequency, and risk.
• Ensure effective, campus-wide communication with LEAs, parents/guardians, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Represent the organization in internal/interagency meetings and cultivate positive relationships with parents and school districts.
• Coordinate cross-department initiatives to strengthen school community and align to organizational goals and seamless pathways of care.

People Management

• Supervise student and evaluative services leadership, including the Supervisor of Special Education, Student Services Coordinators, School Psychologist, school nurses, and an administrative assistant.
• Develop performance metrics, conduct evaluations, and lead monthly staff meetings.
• Identify and address performance discrepancies; implement positive performance management practices.
• Participate in recruiting and interviewing new supervisory staff.

Training, Evaluation & Compliance

• Oversee staff training systems and evaluation processes; ensure fidelity and ethical practice for students with ASD.
• Deliver training content; monitor effectiveness and adjust based on data.
• Track and report training records (remediation, annual requirements, induction, and ongoing training) in collaboration with the Special Education Supervisor.
• Serve as the point of contact for elevated parent concerns regarding related/evaluative services and staff issues.

Finance & Strategy

• Prepare the annual budget; monitor expenditures, analyze variances, support successful audits, and take corrective actions as needed.
• Achieve strategic and tactical objectives for the department/program; manage timelines and other budgetary needs.

Other

• Complete additional duties as assigned by leadership.

Schedule & Employment Details

• Status: Full-time; minimum 40 hours/week
• Schedule: Monday–Friday following the administrative calendar
• Paid Holidays: 10
• Work Setting: School-based APS/LPAS environment (details shared with qualified candidates)

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree (Special Education preferred; closely related fields considered based on experience).
• Certification: Special Education Supervisor certification required. (Principal K–12 or Letter of Eligibility considered.)
• Experience: Demonstrated supervisory and evaluator experience; prior work with individuals with autism required.
• Knowledge: Strong command of effective, ethical treatment of individuals with ASD; student, health, and evaluative service delivery in school settings.

Physical & Travel Requirements

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, reach, push/pull, lift, stoop, and crawl during extended periods as needed to support a safe learning environment; may be required to physically assist students during interventions.
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly, interpret detailed instructions, and travel between locations as needed.
• Primarily indoor work conditions; assignments may vary.

Career Connections Recruiting is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and candidates.