Director of Elementary Special Education (C129-2627)

POSITION : Director of Elementary Special Education, Office of Special Education

REPORTS TO : Executive Director of Special Education

POSITION SUMMARY : The Director of Elementary Special Education oversees and directs all special education programs, services, and personnel across the district's elementary 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 elementary 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 elementary 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 Executive Director of Special Education, 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 Executive Director 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 THE 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

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 (Hartford, Connecticut) is a diverse community of educators and approximately 16,000 students attending 39 distinctive magnet, community, and neighborhood schools located in Connecticut's capital city. Our values are excellence, equity, inclusiveness, collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. Our mission is to provide all students with the learning and support needed to succeed in school and life, and our shared vision is that all students will graduate prepared to transform our world.

"Set the bar. Meet the bar. Exceed the bar. Raise the bar!" is the motto of Hartford Public Schools' Superintendent and CEO, Andraé Townsel. We are committed to continuous improvement, knowing that consistent growth toward abundant academic proficiency and excellence will raise the bar for our students in Hartford.

HPS has career opportunities of all kinds in all of our schools. Come represent your community, your culture, and what's possible for our amazing 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 located 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 nation's most prestigious insurance companies, 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 around the world attracts 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 located in Hartford and the surrounding towns, offering easy access to advanced degree programs.

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

Position Subject to Available Funding

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