Assistant Director of Exceptional Children (EC) @ Hoke County Schools

HOKE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Assistant Director of Exceptional Children (EC)

Reports To: Director of Exceptional Children

Terms of Employment: Full-Time, 12 Months

Supervises: Assigned Exceptional Children Personnel

Salary: Based on approved district salary schedule

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Exceptional Children provides district-level instructional, compliance, and administrative leadership to support the effective implementation of exceptional children programs and services. This position works directly with the EC Director to ensure high-quality specially designed instruction, legal compliance, effective personnel supervision, and improved student outcomes.

The successful candidate must demonstrate extensive knowledge and practical experience in both the instructional and compliance aspects of special education, with the ability to lead, coach, monitor, and support schools effectively.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Instructional Leadership
• Provide leadership in specially designed instruction, evidence-based practices, inclusive education, and appropriate service delivery.
• Monitor instructional effectiveness, IEP implementation, accommodations, modifications, and student progress.
• Conduct classroom walkthroughs, provide instructional coaching, and support professional development.
• Promote appropriate implementation of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Extended Content Standards, and least restrictive environment requirements.
• Compliance and Legal Oversight
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, FERPA, NCDPI policies, and procedural safeguards.
• Monitor IEP development, evaluations, reevaluations, eligibility, placement, service delivery, and required timelines.
• Provide technical assistance regarding manifestation determination reviews (MDRs), FBAs, BIPs, prior written notices, and parent rights.
• Lead compliance reviews, ECATS monitoring, corrective action plans, and resolution of identified concerns.
• Ensure IEPs are implemented as written and required documentation is accurate and timely.
• Personnel Leadership and Accountability
• Assist with recruitment, supervision, coaching, and evaluation of assigned EC personnel.
• Establish and monitor expectations for professional responsibilities, school support, communication, and accountability.
• Identify performance concerns and implement appropriate improvement strategies.
• Provide leadership and support to EC specialists, data managers, teachers, and related-service personnel.
• Program Administration and Data Monitoring
• Assist the EC Director with districtwide planning, implementation, and evaluation of EC programs.
• Analyze compliance, instructional, staffing, and student performance data to identify needs and recommend solutions.
• Oversee assigned ECATS reporting, December 1 child count preparation, and required state and federal reporting.
• Support staffing decisions, resource allocation, specialized programs, and departmental procedures.
• Assume designated leadership responsibilities in the EC Director's absence.
• Collaboration and Continuous Improvement
• Collaborate with principals, district leadership, teachers, families, and community partners.
• Assist in resolving complex student concerns, parent complaints, and service-delivery challenges.
• Develop professional learning opportunities and procedures that strengthen instruction and compliance.
• Support districtwide initiatives that improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, School Administration, or a closely related field.
• Valid North Carolina educator license appropriate to the position, including EC licensure as required by the district.
• Minimum of five years of successful experience in exceptional children's education, including instructional and compliance responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in educational leadership, program coordination, instructional coaching, or personnel supervision.
• Extensive working knowledge of IDEA, NCDPI EC policies, IEP development, specially designed instruction, and ECATS.
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead personnel, interpret complex regulations, make sound decisions, and maintain confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible EC experience.
• School- or district-level EC leadership experience.
• North Carolina school administrator licensure.
• Experience with compliance monitoring, corrective action, personnel supervision, and instructional improvement.

Performance Expectations

The Assistant Director is expected to demonstrate strong instructional and compliance expertise, provide consistent school-based leadership, maintain accurate documentation, address concerns proactively, and ensure timely follow-through on assigned responsibilities.

The Assistant Director must be capable of independently assessing instructional and compliance concerns, developing effective solutions, and providing dependable leadership in support of the EC Director.

Working Conditions

The position requires frequent visits to district schools, classroom observations, participation in meetings, and occasional extended hours or evening events.

This job description summarizes the primary responsibilities of the position. Additional duties may be assigned by the Director of Exceptional Children. Final qualifications, employment terms, and classification are subject to district Human Resources approval.