Secondary Director of Special Education (C114-2627)

POSTING NUMBER : C114-2627

POSTING DATE : June 2, 2026

CLOSING DATE : Until Filled

POSITION : Secondary Director of Special Education

LOCATION : Office of Special Education – Central Office

REPORTS TO : Executive Director of Special Education

POSITION SUMMARY : The Secondary Director of Special Education oversees and directs all special education programs, services, and personnel across the district's secondary schools. This leadership role is responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant special education services while advancing the district's vision for inclusive education. The Director establishes strategic direction, ensures legal compliance, and advocates for the needs of secondary students with disabilities. This position collaborates with district leadership to develop and implement policies that support exceptional educational experiences for all students with disabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES : This position requires extensive knowledge of special education law, strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative approach to supporting students with disabilities while maintaining compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Leadership and Compliance

Provide leadership for all special education programs and services for students across all secondary schools in the district

Collaborate with Compliance Team to establish and maintain effective policy/procedures and Child Counts

Serve on district teams and committees, as assigned, to represent special education interests and ensure alignment with district initiatives

Build and maintain strategic partnerships with other departments to support integrated service delivery for students

In support of the Assistant Superintendent, identify, prepare, and deliver comprehensive reports, presentations, and communications

Program Development and Improvement

Direct, oversee, and actively participate in the development and implementation of the department's comprehensive improvement plan

Supervise and engage in activities related to student eligibility determinations, IEP development, appropriate placements, and transportation services

Collaborate with relevant departments to design and implement system-wide

professional learning initiatives that enhance services and instruction for students with disabilities

Develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum and instruction initiatives to ensure alignment to district standards, state requirements, and evidence-based practices

Support the Assistant Superintendent to conduct comprehensive special education programming reviews that drive positive student outcomes and inform decisions regarding specialized programming and curriculum materials

Legal and Dispute Resolution

Coordinate departmental and system-wide responses to legal issues including:

Due process complaints

Local dispute resolution requests and mediation proceedings

Office of Civil Rights complaints

State complaints

Resolve complex, sensitive inquiries and complaints through effective stakeholder communication and conflict resolution strategies

Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES OF IDEAL CANDIDATE:

Advanced degree in special education required

Minimum of five (5) successful years of experience special education settings

Experience implementing and monitoring compliance with federal and state special education requirements

Experience with special education data management systems, particularly CT-SEDS or similar systems

Experience leading professional development initiatives related to special education

In-depth understanding of IEP development, implementation, and monitoring processes

Thorough knowledge of FAPE and LRE principles and their practical application

Experience with special education program development and evaluation, including data analysis to drive program improvement

Experience with special education legal proceedings and due process

Outstanding leadership and organizational skills

Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills

Strong orientation toward urban school systems preferred

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS : Connecticut Intermediate Administrative Certification (092) and Connecticut Certification in Special Education (165) are required.

UNION AFFILIATION : Hartford Principals' Supervisors' Association (HPSA)

SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT : This is a twelve-month position and the salary is in accordance with the Hartford Principals' and Supervisors' Association 2026-2027 Schedule: Group 12: $149,609 - $162,873.

APPLICATION PROCESS : To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application. To apply, please visit https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford and follow the appropriate link. Internal candidates are advised to use their personal email when applying. Upon submission, candidates’ applications and supporting documents will be reviewed. Successful candidates will be invited to next steps in the selection process.

We Value Our Staff…And It Shows

Hartford Public Schools is seeking excellent candidates and wants to provide the best experience for you.

We have put together a comprehensive package of benefits and incentives.

Financial Incentives

Tuition Reimbursement : Up to $3,000 annually

Residency Differential : 3% of base salary for certified administrators (HPSA members) living in Hartford

National Board Certification Bonus : $3,500 annually

Differential for Doctorate in Education : $2,500 annually

Additional Benefits

Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance

Board contribution of 50% of the applicable Health Savings Account (HSA) deductible

5 Personal days per year; 20 Sick days per year

Life insurance (2x annual salary)

Loan forgiveness (State & Federal)

Professional learning

Career growth opportunities

Join HPS & REPRESENT

Hartford Public Schools acknowledges that systems of injustice exist in our nation and our community. Our district is committed to addressing systemic barriers to create a culture of equity that benefits all students. We are committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse team of culturally competent educators. We strive to have our team reflect the different perspectives of our families and community so that we can work together to overcome obstacles, close the opportunity gaps, and prepare our students for continuous success.

HPS is a diverse community of scholars and staff; racially, socioeconomically, culturally, and more. Among our students, there are 86 languages spoken; 25% of our student population are Multilingual Learners. Over 85% of the population are students of color. At Hartford Public Schools, we work deliberately to recruit and hire staff of various backgrounds and from our local community – 26% of our staff reside in Hartford. Among our teaching staff, 30% identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), compared to approximately 12% statewide.

HPS has career opportunities of all kinds, in all of our schools. Come represent your community, your culture, and what’s possible for our beautiful and capable students. When you work here, it’s not just about making a living…it’s about making a difference. And you don’t just earn a paycheck…you earn lifelong respect.

Hartford is The Place to Be

The state of Connecticut is seated on the northeastern seaboard. Hartford is within an hour’s drive of the coastline and is centrally located between New York City and Boston. Hartford is one of America’s oldest and most historic cities, made up of 17 unique neighborhoods rich in history and diversity. It is commonly known as the “insurance capital” due to its prominence beginning in the 19th century as home to many of the most prestigious insurance companies in the U.S., many of which still call Hartford home today. The city features world-class museums, entertainment, and sports venues and is home to several major companies. An array of restaurants reflecting cuisines from all over the world attract people from far and wide, and more than 200 arts, heritage, and cultural organizations in the Hartford region provide hundreds of events year-round. In addition, several universities and colleges are in Hartford and the surrounding towns, allowing easy access to advanced degree programs.

Want to learn more about opportunities in HPS? Join one of our monthly virtual information sessions .

An Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, M/F/V/D

Note: The above description covers the principle duties and responsibilities of the position. The description should not, however, be construed as a complete listing of all duties or as a contract. In all cases, these relationships, functions, and their applications are subject to change by the superintendent of schools.

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