Executive Director Of Exceptional Children

Job Description Executive Director of Exceptional Children

Reports to:

Chief of Student Support Services

Term of Employment: 12 Months

The Executive Director of Exceptional Children provides district-level leadership, supervision, and administrative oversight for the implementation of programs and related services for students with disabilities. This position ensures compliance with local, state, and federal requirements while promoting high-quality instructional programming, appropriate supports, and equitable access to services for students ages 2 through 21.

The Executive Director supervises the Exceptional Children support team, including but not limited to Program Compliance Specialists, Transition Coordinator, Behavior Specialists, Preschool Coordinator, School Psychologists, and Related Service Providers. The Executive Director also collaborates with schools, families, community agencies, district leaders, and state-level partners to support the successful implementation and continuous improvement of Exceptional Children services across the district.

The successful candidate must meet one or more of the following qualifications:

• North Carolina certification as an Exceptional Children Program Administrator
• Master's Degree in an Exceptional Children's area
• Sixth Year Degree in School Psychology
• Master's Degree in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field

Administrative experience, supervisory experience, and successful leadership in Exceptional Children programming are preferred.

The Executive Director of Exceptional Children should demonstrate:

• Thorough knowledge of North Carolina public school laws, policies, and procedures governing programs and services for students with disabilities.
• Thorough knowledge of federal regulations, including IDEA, Section 504, ADA, FERPA, and other laws governing services for students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of the North Carolina Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities.
• Knowledge of ECATS, compliance timelines, child count reporting, service documentation, and state and federal monitoring requirements.
• Knowledge of CCIP system and understanding of all IDEA and other NC DPI grants that fund the Exceptional Children Department, including how to develop, budget and monitor the awarded grants.
• Strong understanding of fiscal expenditures and rules governing all PRC's.
• Strong understanding of Medicaid funding, billing and use of funds.
• Strong background in curriculum design, instructional delivery, specially designed instruction, accommodations, modifications, and inclusive practices.
• Knowledge of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Extended Content Standards, transition planning, related services, assistive technology, and the continuum of services.
• Demonstrated success in the design, development, and delivery of staff development programs and activities appropriate for Pre‑K-12 special populations.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and use data to evaluate program effectiveness and guide continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated successful leadership, supervision, evaluation, communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience with hiring district staff and contract staff from agencies.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, families, teachers, principals, district leaders, outside agencies, attorneys, and state-level officials.
• Ability to support conflict resolution, parent communication, IEP team problem‑solving, and complex decision‑making.
• Ability to respond to facilitated IEP and mediation requests, hold resolution sessions and respond to state complaints, OCR and Due Process filings on behalf of the district.
• Ability to prepare small contracts independently.
• Ability to present contracts to the Board of Education.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

The Executive Director of Exceptional Children shall:

• Administer, supervise, monitor, and evaluate all special education programs and services for students with disabilities.
• Provide leadership for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive district-wide Exceptional Children program aligned with student needs, legal requirements, district priorities, and state and federal guidelines.
• Coordinate services for students with disabilities to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines, rules, regulations, procedures, and laws.
• Ensure the district maintains a continuum of services and placement options while promoting access to the least restrictive environment and appropriate supports for students with disabilities.
• Supervise the Exceptional Children support team, including Program Compliance Specialists, Transition Coordinator, Behavior Specialists, Preschool Coordinator, School Psychologists, and Related Service Providers, including Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.
• Assist with the…