Director, Special Education, Secondary Schools

About the role

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan , please visit our website and our careers page . Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students! ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date p rior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely . Job Posting End Date: 07-09-2026 Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site. Under the direction of the Executive Director of Special Education, the Director, Special Education, Secondary Schools provides strategic leadership and oversight for special education programs and services across middle and high schools, ensuring that students with disabilities have equitable access to high-quality instruction, supports, and opportunities for success. This position partners with school administrators, educators, families, and community stakeholders to promote inclusive practices, improve student outcomes, and ensure compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations (COMAR) requirements. The Director leads the implementation of district initiatives, supports continuous improvement efforts, and uses data to drive decision-making and resource allocation, including the management and oversight of budgets. Through collaboration, problem-solving, and system-level leadership, the Director ensures that schools effectively meet the diverse academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and transition needs of students with disabilities. This role directly supports the HCPSS mission and vision and the HCPSS Strategic Plan by fostering learning environments where every student can access meaningful educational opportunities, achieve their full potential, and be prepared for college, career, and community success.

Requirements

• Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.
• Education:
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction or a related field.
• Certification/Licensure:
• Hold a current Maryland State Department of Education professional certificate or license in Generic Special Education (secondary/adult, grades 6-Adult OR elementary/middle, grades 1-8) and any of the additional endorsements below: Administrator I or Administrator II
• Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals
• Applicants who do not already possess the required licensure above may be considered if you are eligible through one of the pathways below:
• Hold a current MSDE professional certificate or license and complete all MSDE requirements for the Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals endorsement by the position effective date.
• Have completed a Maryland Approved Program which leads to licensure as a supervisor of instruction, assistant principal or principal by the position effective date.
• Have completed an approved out-of-State program which leads to licensure as a supervisor of instruction, assistant principal, or principal and includes a supervised clinical practicum and earn passing score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Praxis 6990) by the position effective date.
• Hold a valid professional state license in administration from another state or country and have verification of five years of effective performance as an administrator in a PreK-12 school setting.
• Out-of-state applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the application process for educator licensure with the Maryland State Department of Education in addition to uploading all required materials to your HCPSS employment application.
• Five years of experience in instructional leadership roles supervising special education teaching and learning at the secondary level.
• The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don't meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction or a rel

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