Director of Special Education

Director – Special Education (Job )

Newark Board of Education – Human Resource Services.

• Passionate belief that all students can achieve at high levels.
• Personal accountability for serving all students and ensuring their academic achievement.
• Ability to create, articulate, and build staff and community buy‑in to a clear vision and mission.
• Effective team leadership – builds and leads teams to achieve goals and objectives by:
  • Managing and coaching a team of professionals to achieve ambitious goals.
  • Assessing team and individual skills and development needs and providing feedback and coaching that assists others in maximizing their contribution.
  • Prioritizing and aligning people, time, and resources to the most important issues.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to:
  • Work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders at all levels, including district personnel, students, families, communities, and advocacy groups.
• Solicit feedback while building consensus.
• Maintain positive relationships and build lasting coalitions of support.
• Skillfully navigate existing political structures and systems.
• Strong goal orientation and focus on results – thrives in an achievement‑oriented and fast‑paced environment.
• Outstanding critical thinking skills, including the ability to analyze data, identify trends, pinpoint problems and root causes, and develop innovative solutions.
• Excellent execution and project management skills, including ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps.
• Deep knowledge of services for students with special needs, including:
  • Proven ability to develop and deliver programming that drives improved academic performance in special education populations.
  • Promising instructional practices and models.
  • Federal and state regulations related to students with disabilities, including expertise in Section 504 and Assistive Technology.
• Five or more years of related experience, including at least three years of administrative experience at the school or district level.
• Master's degree in education or related field.
• School Administrator Certificate, Certificate of Eligibility (CE), or Principal Certificate.

• Ensure that special needs students receive the highest quality supports to increase the number able to reintegrate into the traditional learning environment.
• Serve as an advocate and represent the needs of special education students in all major district decisions.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to recruit, train, support, and retain the most talented special education educators, advocates, aides, and specialists.
• Lead the Special Education office staff in implementing a vision focused on strategic support for schools and students while ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Evaluate and improve existing special education programs by disseminating knowledge and best practices across the district.
• Lead the selection and implementation of academic assessments appropriate for students with special needs; drive data‑based special education program improvements.
• Build innovative programs that improve early supports, enabling differentiated and integrated learning and accelerating student achievement for all kinds of learners.
• Create district‑wide professional development programs, ensuring a robust, systemic approach to meeting the needs of special education students.
• Oversee district and school‑based teams in understanding learning and behavior disabilities through staff coaching, site‑based workshops, and district‑wide professional development.
• Develop and lead strategic partnerships that serve the interests of the district's special needs students.
• Assess the distribution of Special Education supports, ensuring even, efficient allocation of resources to meet Newark's students, families, and schools.
• Strategically manage and allocate resources (money, people, time, etc.) aligned to students' needs and used effectively and efficiently.
• Perform other duties and tasks assigned by Supervisor.

Assistant Superintendent

• Salary Range: $156,000 to $171,000
• Employment Period:
  Twelve (12) months
• Union affiliation:
  City Association of Supervisors and Administrators (C.A.S.A.)

In an effort to attract and retain staff, Newark Board of Education offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits for all full‑time staff, including Medical and Prescription Drug plans, employer‑paid Dental and Vision coverage, an array of Wellness and Voluntary benefits programs, and paid time off. All employees receive paid Personal and Sick days, as well as Vacation days for 12‑month employees.

For details, visit

Newark Public Schools is only accepting electronic applications.

The Newark Public Schools is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer.