Position Title

Director of Secondary Special Education

Required Application Type

Teacher / Admin

Salary/Pay Scale

As per NASA Contract

Job Description

The Secondary Director of Special Education provides visible, professional leadership to guide and oversee the
District’s comprehensive secondary Special Education programs. This role calls for an exceptional educational
leader who models professionalism and drives continuous improvement while supporting high academic
achievement and student well-being. The Director leads the planning, coordination, supervision, and evaluation
of all program functions and staff at the secondary level, cultivating a school culture deeply committed to
inclusive practices, social-emotional learning, and positive mental health. By aligning programs with student
needs and the Northport–East Northport Portrait of a Graduate, the Director ensures that every student
develops the core competencies necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and oversight of all District secondary Special Education programs, ensuring alignment with student needs, district priorities, and regulatory requirements
• Ensure full compliance with New York State and federal special education laws and regulations, including interpretation of new legislation and provision of guidance and recommendations to District leadership
• Oversee all Committee on Special Education (CSE) placement recommendations at the secondary level, including in-District programs, resource room services, self-contained classes, BOCES placements, and approved private school placements
• Coordinate and supervise out-of-district special education placements, including vocational and post-graduate programs, and conduct required program visitations
•  Implement, monitor, and evaluate the District’s strategic plan as it relates to Special Education and Student Support Services
• Analyze program effectiveness and staffing needs to ensure appropriate allocation of resources and alignment with student needs
• Engage in research and data analysis to inform program development and continuous improvement
• Supervise and evaluate special education teachers, teaching assistants, psychologists, speech-language therapists, social workers, and related service providers
• Recruit, hire, and ensure the placement of certified and non-certified staff for secondary special education programs
• Conduct secondary-level special education staff meetings and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders
• Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and monitoring of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Chair secondary CSE meetings, manifestation determination meetings, and related planning meetings as required
• Participate in impartial hearings, resolution meetings, and other litigious matters, and prepare materials for New York State audits and accountability reviews, including Indicator reporting
• Support districtwide Learning Support Team (LST) processes and procedures
• Collaborate with the District’s transition coordinator and counseling department to ensure students with disabilities meet graduation and postsecondary transition requirements
• Support the administration and scoring of the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA)
• Coordinate extended-day programs, Extended School Year (ESY) services, and related transportation
• Assist in the coordination of home instruction and homeschooling for students with disabilities
• Develop middle school and high school special education master schedules and coordinate Regents examinations and common assessments for students requiring testing accommodations
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with faculty, administrators, students, families, and parent organizations, including SEPTA. Attend SEPTA meetings, district committees, Board of Education meetings, and other community forums as required.
•  Serve as a member of the Administrative Council and interpret Special Education programs and services to district leadership and the community
• Facilitate and oversee special transportation services for students in Special Education programs, including BOCES placements

Additional Roles and Responsibilities:

• Support assessment coordination, including NYSAA administration and scheduling of Regents and secondary assessments with accommodations
• Assist teachers with instructional materials, methodologies, and evidence-based practices for students with disabilities
• Develop and implement plans for staff professional learning to improve instructional practices
• Serve as a mentor to teacher leaders, administrative interns, and coordinate student teacher and observer placement

Minimum Training and Experience:

• Extensive knowledge of and experience supporting Students with Disabilities
• Evidence of educational leadership, including leading teams, initiatives, or programs with proven effectiveness
• Evidence of successful secondary-level classroom teaching or related service provider experience
• Demonstrated effectiveness as both a teacher and educational leader
• Extensive knowledge of New York State learning standards and instructional best practices
• Experience using academic, behavioral, and compliance data to inform decision-making

 

Job Qualifications

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Master’s degree required; doctorate preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and high-quality outcomes for students with disabilities
• Extensive knowledge of New York State and federal special education law, instructional technology, and data-driven leadership
• Valid New York State School District Leader (SDL) or School District Administrator (SDA) certification
• Experience as building principal preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive relationships across varied roles and constituencies
• Embraces innovation
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Experience supervising and evaluating staff effectively
• Proficiency with instructional technology and data systems
• Ability to develop, implement, and monitor strategic plans
• Experience leading instructional initiatives and supporting high-quality teaching practices
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills

Reports To:

The Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Support Services

Supervises:

Secondary special education teachers, teaching assistants, psychologists, speech therapists, social workers, and administrative interns

Length of Year:

Full time (12 months)

Salary:

Commensurate with the Northport Association of School Administrators (NASA) contract

Application Procedure

Address all letters of interest and resumes to the attention of Anthony J. Davidson, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources

Apply at: https://nenufsd.recruitfront.com/JobOpportunities

Job Category

Administrators

Job Location

Districtwide

Additional Information