; PHYSICAL DEMANDS; AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Under the direction of the Chief Student Support Officer, Division of Specialized Support Services and the Associate Superintendent for the Office of Special Education, the director of the Department of Special Education Services (DSES) provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for systemwide special education programs and supports serving students with disabilities from birth through age 21. The director leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of specialized programs designed to ensure equitable access to high-quality services and improved outcomes for students with disabilities. The director leads the coordination and oversight of department programs and initiatives, including Program and Support Team services, Parentally Placed services, Extended School Year (ESY), Curriculum and Intervention Supports, Cross-Functional Team (CFT) Specialists, Autism Services, and Transition Services. This role ensures alignment of programs with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements, and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) policies and regulations. The director collaborates with leadership across the Division of Specialized Support Services, the Division of School Leadership and Improvement, the Division of Teaching and Learning, the Division of Equity and Organizational Development, and other central offices to ensure school-based teams implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with fidelity and have the resources and professional learning necessary to support students with disabilities. The director leads systemwide program evaluation, staffing and budget planning, grant management, and data analysis related to student achievement, attendance, behavior, disproportionality, suspension, and least restrictive environment (LRE) indicators. The director leads strategic initiatives that align curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning to improve outcomes for students with disabilities across all grade levels. Physical Demands: As required of the duties of the position. Special Requirements: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including day or evening work such as occasional participation in evening, community meetings, board of education meetings, IEP sessions or professional learning events. Countywide travel may be required. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES: Knowledge of federal and state special education laws and regulations, including IDEA, MSDE requirements, and MCPS policies and procedures governing services for students with disabilities from birth through age 21; MCPS curriculum and instructional frameworks and evidence?based practices in specialized instruction, assessment, data?based interventions, behavior supports, accommodations, supplementary aids and services, co?teaching, and inclusive instructional models; and state and district accountability systems, including the Maryland Online IEP (MOIEP), MSDE Indicator Report Card requirements, and related compliance, monitoring, and reporting processes. Knowledge of the Maryland Blueprint for Education and the Maryland Transforms initiative and their implications for program implementation, accountability, and resource alignment; as well as knowledge of budget development, staffing, grants, and fiscal procedures related to special education programs. Skilled in analyzing and interpreting complex systemwide data related to academic achievement, attendance, behavior, disproportionality, and least restrictive environment (LRE) to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision?making; supervising and developing administrators and leadership staff; designing and managing organizational structures and workflows that ensure high?quality, compliant service delivery; communicating complex information clearly in oral and written form to diverse audiences; and using technology systems such as Canvas, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365, Teams, Zoom, and related data platforms. Ability to collaborate effectively with MCPS leadership, school administrators, educators, Division of School Leadership and Improvement (DSLI), parents/guardians, county agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders with cultural competence; align programs, services, and resources with district goals and with Blueprint and Maryland Transforms priorities; lead strategic planning, problem solving, conflict resolution, and organizational change in a large, complex school system. Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn and apply MCAAP/ MCBOA leadership standards and the MCPS Professional Growth System (PGS) in the supervision and development of teachers and supporting services staff. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE; CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Master?s degree from an accredited institution, with additional graduate coursework in special education, administration, supervision. The position requires a minimum of five years of special education teaching experience; and three years of central or school-based administrative experience in special education/specialized instruction in school or early intervention settings, including direct oversight of special education or specialized instructional programs. Experience leading strategic planning and organizational improvement efforts, including setting division- or department-wide priorities, allocating and managing budgets and resources, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including IDEA Part B and Part C. CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Meets Maryland Administrator I certification requirements. Certification in special education or related services provider required. Completion of OAT I within one year of the position start date. Completion of OAT II within two years of position start date.