Assistant Director of Special Education

Title: Assistant Special Education Director

Work Unit/Location:

Education Services Center

Reports to: Superintendent or Designee

Supervises: HR Staff

Contract Length:

203 Days- 12 months

4 Day week

Pay Schedule:

Non-NEA Salary Schedule

Overtime Status:

Exempt

Hours:

7:03 am - 5:30 pm

Union Status:

Non-Union

Licensure:

NMPED 3B Licensure Preferred

General Job Function

The Assistant Special Education Director oversees Student Services & Wellness and assists the Special Education Director in providing district-wide leadership, coordination, oversight, and continuous improvement of comprehensive student support services that promote academic success, student wellness, behavioral health, school safety, and equitable access to educational opportunities.

The Assistant Director provides leadership for programs and services including, but not limited to:

• Special Education (IDEA)
• Section 504 Compliance
• Student Wellness Initiatives
• Behavioral Health Services
• Social Work Services
• School Psychology Services
• School Counseling Collaboration
• Mental Health Supports
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
• Multi-Layered System of Supports (MLSS/MTSS)
• Attendance Intervention and Truancy Prevention
• Homebound Instruction
• Preschool Special Education
• Extended School Year (ESY)
• Crisis Prevention and Response
• Threat Assessment
• Suicide Prevention
• Student Discipline Hearings
• Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA)
• Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)
• Student Safety Planning
• District Wellness Policy implementation
• Development and revision of Board policies related to Student Services

The Assistant Director ensures that students with disabilities, students experiencing behavioral or mental health challenges, multilingual learners requiring coordinated supports, and students requiring wellness interventions receive appropriate services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED), the New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC), federal regulations, and Española Public Schools Board Policies.

The Assistant Director serves as a district resource to principals, teachers, counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, families, and community agencies to support the whole child through coordinated academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and wellness initiatives.

Education/Training/Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Master''s Degree in Educational Administration, Special Education, Educational Leadership, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or closely related field.
• Valid New Mexico Level III Teaching License.
• Valid New Mexico Administrative License.
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful educational experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in Student Services, Special Education, Student Wellness, or related educational programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• District-level administrative experience.
• Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience implementing MLSS frameworks.
• Experience coordinating student wellness or behavioral health initiatives.
• Knowledge of Medicaid billing for school-based services.
• Experience working with community behavioral health providers.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Extensive knowledge of:

• IDEA
• Section 504
• ADA
• FERPA
• ESSA
• NMPED regulations
• New Mexico Special Education Technical Evaluation Manual
• New Mexico Dyslexia guidance
• Student discipline laws
• Threat Assessment protocols
• Suicide Prevention requirements
• Trauma-informed educational practices
• Restorative Practices
• PBIS
• MLSS/MTSS implementation
• Crisis prevention and intervention
• Behavioral health systems
• School safety planning
• Child Find requirements
• Transition services
• Preschool special education
• Functional Behavior Assessments
• Behavior Intervention Plans
• Educational data analysis
• Program evaluation
• Conflict resolution
• Facilitation of multidisciplinary teams

Ability to:

• Build collaborative relationships.
• Lead district initiatives.
• Analyze compliance data.
• Develop improvement plans.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Problem solve using data-driven decision making.

Essential Job Functions

Student Wellness, Safety, and Prevention

• Provide district-wide leadership and oversight for the implementation of the Española Public Schools Student Wellness Program and District Wellness Policy.
• Coordinate and support Student Wellness Committees at each school site, ensuring compliance with district goals, state requirements, and best practices for student health and wellness.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive student wellness initiatives that promote the physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, and social well-being of all students.
• Coordinate district-wide mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and violence prevention education and programming in accordance with New Mexico Public Education Department requirements and nationally recognized best practices.
• Collaborate with school counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, administrators, families, and community agencies to establish coordinated systems of support for students experiencing behavioral health or social-emotional challenges.
• Coordinate district implementation of evidence-based prevention programs addressing bullying, cyberbullying, substance abuse prevention, conflict resolution, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional learning.
• Coordinate and monitor the district''s Threat Assessment Teams and assist schools in implementing comprehensive school safety and crisis response procedures.
• Assist with the development and implementation of student safety plans, behavioral intervention plans, crisis response protocols, and re-entry plans following behavioral or mental health incidents.
• Coordinate district-wide Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training, recertification, and implementation to ensure staff are appropriately trained in de-escalation techniques, crisis prevention, and safe intervention strategies.
• Coordinate and monitor CPR, First Aid, AED, Stop the Bleed, and other required health and safety training programs for district employees in collaboration with Human Resources, school nurses, Risk Management, and community partners.
• Maintain district records documenting staff completion of required health, safety, wellness, and crisis response certifications.
• Assist with planning and coordinating district crisis response drills, emergency preparedness activities, and post-crisis recovery efforts in collaboration with district and school administrators.
• Promote a positive school climate through restorative practices, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Multi-Layered System of Supports (MLSS), and other evidence-based student support frameworks.
• Monitor and analyze student wellness, behavioral, attendance, discipline, and school climate data to identify trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and recommend continuous improvement strategies.
• Develop partnerships with local healthcare providers, behavioral health agencies, community organizations, tribal entities, and other stakeholders to expand access to student wellness resources and services.
• Assist in securing and administering federal, state, and local grants supporting student wellness, behavioral health, school safety, and prevention initiatives.

Special Education Leadership

• Coordinate district referral, evaluation, eligibility, and reevaluation processes.
• Ensure IDEA compliance district-wide.
• Monitor timelines for evaluations and annual IEP reviews.
• Monitor implementation of IEPs.
• Supervise preschool special education.
• Coordinate Extended School Year (ESY).
• Assist in supervision and evaluation of special education staff.
• Support implementation of related services.
• Monitor Child Find requirements.
• Assist with state monitoring activities.

Student Wellness

• Coordinate implementation of the District Student Wellness Program.
• Assist schools in developing comprehensive student wellness systems.
• Promote social-emotional learning initiatives.
• Support behavioral health programming.
• Coordinate wellness education and prevention initiatives.
• Collaborate with school nurses, counselors, psychologists, and social workers.
• Coordinate wellness partnerships with community agencies.
• Support implementation of trauma-informed educational practices.
• Monitor district wellness goals and outcomes.
• Assist in implementation of the District Wellness Policy.

Mental Health & Behavioral Supports

• Coordinate behavioral health supports across the district.
• Assist schools with crisis response planning.
• Participate in district crisis response teams.
• Coordinate suicide prevention initiatives.
• Support threat assessment teams.
• Assist in development of student safety plans.
• Support Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA).
• Assist in development and implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP).
• Coordinate re-entry meetings following behavioral incidents.
• Assist in planning restorative interventions.

Student Services

• Coordinate homebound services.
• Coordinate student discipline hearings.
• Support Section 504 implementation.
• Assist multilingual learners requiring coordinated services.
• Coordinate supports for foster and homeless students.
• Participate in attendance intervention initiatives.
• Coordinate community agency partnerships.
• Support transition planning for students with disabilities.

Leadership & Program Development

• Assist with development of district Student Services procedures.
• Coordinate professional development for special education staff, counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, educational assistants, and administrators.
• Assist with federal and state reporting requirements.
• Analyze program effectiveness using student outcome data.
• Develop improvement plans.
• Assist with grant implementation related to Student Services and Wellness.
• Support district initiatives related to equity and inclusion.

School Support

• Provide on-site support to principals.
• Support implementation of special education programs.
• Assist principals with difficult student situations.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Attend IEP meetings as needed.
• Attend manifestation determination meetings.
• Provide coaching regarding student behavior supports.
• Conduct site visits throughout the district.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with:
• Families
• NMPED
• CYFD
• Medicaid providers
• Behavioral health agencies
• Community organizations
• Tribal entities
• Outside evaluators
• Medical providers
• Law enforcement when appropriate

Other Duties

• Perform additional duties assigned by the Executive Director, Deputy Superintendent, or Superintendent.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment shall be in accordance with Board policy, district administrative procedures, and applicable state and federal law.

Employee Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed this job description. I understand the essential duties, responsibilities, and expectations of my position and agree to perform them to the best of my ability. I understand that this job description is not intended to include every duty that may be assigned and that Española Public Schools reserves the right to modify or assign duties as operational needs require. My signature acknowledges receipt and understanding of this job description and does not constitute an employment contract.