Director Special Education

Job Overview
The Director of Special Education in Fort Bend ISD is a proven district leader who provides leadership for the design, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of districtwide special education staff and services. This role ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local requirements while advancing equitable access, effective instructional practices, and positive outcomes for students with disabilities. The Director oversees specialized programming, professional learning, supports budget and compliance processes, and personnel management, working collaboratively with district and campus leaders, staff, families, and community partners.

Position Description

• Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Leadership and Administration
• Plan, design, and implement special education services aligned with IDEA, Texas Education Code, and district policies.
• Recruit, assign, evaluate, and support special education staff across the district.
• Conduct staffing analyses and recommend personnel allocations to meet program needs.
• Develop, implement, and monitor Special Education Administrative Procedures.
• Support responses to TEA complaints, mediation, due process hearings, and corrective action plans.
• Direct SHARS programming, ensuring compliance and fiscal accountability.
• Maintain districtwide systems for accountability of instructional materials, equipment, and service delivery.
• Support fiscal compliance and prudent use of state and federal funds.

Program Oversight and Service Delivery

• Provide leadership for special education instructional and related services districtwide.
• Oversee specialized areas as assigned such as Dyslexia, 18+ Services, Specialized Services, Behavior Services and Extended School Year Services (ESYS).
• Design and oversee professional learning opportunities to ensure quality program implementation.
• Establish internal systems to evaluate effectiveness of services and ensure alignment with continuous improvement efforts.

Instructional and Campus Support

• Promote and model the district’s mission, vision, and values, ensuring equity and inclusion.
• Build and sustain positive relationships with district administrators, principals, teachers, families, and community members.
• Skillfully resolve conflicts and respond effectively to crisis situations.
• Provide coaching, goal setting, and performance evaluations for assigned members of the special education leadership team.
• Stay current on Results Driven Accountability (RDA), TEA monitoring requirements, and state accountability measures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment, hiring, transfer, evaluation, and discipline processes for assigned staff.
• Conduct performance appraisals for assistant directors, program managers, and other leadership staff.
• Address and resolve complaints, ensuring timely and appropriate outcomes.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the above essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities, required unless otherwise stated as preferred. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions.

• Master's degree in education or related field
• Valid Texas Mid-Management or Principal Certification preferred
• Valid Special Education Teacher Certification or licensure as SLP/LSSP/BCBA
• Minimum of 5 years experience in special education, including at least 5 years in a district-level supervisory role
• Must be proficient in using Windows Operating System as well as Microsoft Office applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to collaborate across departments, schools, and community partners
• In-depth knowledge of IDEA, TEA monitoring systems, and accountability frameworks
• Capacity to inspire, coach, and lead diverse teams while managing conflict effectively

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in classrooms, offices, work stations and meeting rooms.

The position requires occasional walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting/carrying work related items weighing less than 40 pounds, such as books, papers and presentation materials. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Attendance at conferences and professional development is required. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions when operating equipment or performing job duties. May work prolonged or irregular hours and must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.

Additional Information

• Work performed in offices, classrooms, and meeting settings.
• Involves travel across district campuses and to conferences (in-state and out-of-state).