Director of Special Education
Great Falls Public Schools, Great Falls, MT, United States
Position Type:
Administration/Director of Special Education
Date Posted:
3/10/2026
Location:
District Offices Building
Closing Date:
03/27/2026
QUALIFICATIONS
Master's Degree
Applicant must currently hold, or be eligible to receive appropriate certification in the state of Montana (K-12 Supervisor with Special Education Endorsement or Supervisor Special Education P‑12).
Education experience required.
EMPLOYMENT:
2026–2027 School Year
225 contracted days.
LOCATION:
Great Falls Public Schools District Office
START DATE:
July 1, 2026
SALARY:
$111,440 (based on 25‑26 Salary Schedule)
Dependent upon qualifications and experience.
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, letters of recommendation and transcripts via the Frontline application system at
www.gfps.k12.mt.us .
FUNCTION The Director of Special Education has administrative responsibility for overall direction, planning, programming, budgeting, appraisal/evaluation, and coordination of the District's special education programs, according to the established policies of the Board of Trustees and the requirements of the State of Montana. The Director shall also coordinate, between buildings, and assess in an ongoing way the need for and delivery of safety net services for students designed primarily to support students in their endeavors. Such programs include, but are not necessarily restricted to, gifted education, MTSS, 504, Americans with Disabilities Act, sexual harassment, Title IX, and specific at‑risk programs the district may implement.
The Director of Special Education shall have the function of planning, recommending, implementing, and coordinating programs, policies and procedures for special education as well as student safety net programs. Another critical function of the Director is that of acting as a resource and providing consultation for divisions, departments, schools, and staff; and to assist and arrange for appropriate in‑service.
RESPONSIBILITIES The Director of Special Education is directly responsible to the Director of Student Achievement. This Director is accountable for and has the commensurate authority, within prescribed limits of District policies and procedures, to accomplish the fulfillment of the duties set forth below. A governing principle of this position, in accomplishing the duties prescribed, is that all pupil service and safety net programs are to be designed to and assessed for supporting students in a least‑restrictive educational environment while meeting specifically identified needs. Instilling this attitude broadly throughout the District is an important responsibility. Within the scope of this position, appropriate responsibilities may be delegated, but, as a line member of management, the Director of Special Education cannot relinquish accountability for advising the Director of Student Achievement in these designated areas, nor for supervising, coordinating, and evaluating all program activities and supervisory personnel relating to the function and maintenance of special pupil services.
DUTIES 1a. Personnel related to responsibility of position: Special Education
The Director of Special Education directly evaluates all coordinators, and other administrative personnel functioning within the area of defined special pupil services. The Director shall also maintain a continuous supervision of the programs in the special education department, determine student needs, according to policies and mandates, and develop programs to meet such student needs, as well as oversee a planned procedure for the supervision of all special education certificated/licensed and ancillary personnel; and for evaluating certain designated certificated/licensed personnel.
It is understood that special education personnel are primarily responsible to the school principal in respect to scheduling, school policies, procedures, student involvement, and evaluation where designated. Consultation involving performance is intended to be accomplished as a joint endeavor with the affected principal.
The Director will recommend appropriate certified and ancillary staff to meet program needs, working with principals as needed.
1b. Personnel related to responsibility of position: Student Services
The Director of Special Education shall primarily offer resources of coordination between buildings, articulation between grade levels, determination of program and staffing needs such as may be recommended to the Director of Student Achievement, and assessment of program effectiveness. With few exceptions (such as gifted education teachers, and related services personnel) personnel attached to programs shall be directly supervised and evaluated by principals.
2. Equipment or facilities related to responsibility of position
The Director of Special Education will oversee the administration of inventories of all equipment in accordance with local, state, and federal instructions. It is understood that facilities, as such, remain a multiple responsibility of the Director of Special Education, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, and the school principal (where applicable).
3. Development, public relations, and interpretation of program
The Director of Special Education will continually review existing programs for their efficient ability to meet student needs, and the Director will streamline older programs and/or recommend new programs to best meet student needs in the area of special education, and/or guide the District process of developing recommendations to meet student needs in the broader context to provide an appropriate safety net for students.
The Director of Special Education will actively interpret existing as well as needed programs to teachers, administrators, and, as appropriate, the community.
4. Budgetary responsibilities
The Director of Special Education shall be responsible for the overall development, review, and management of budgets to be submitted to the Board of Trustees, the Superintendent of Schools, the Director of Student Achievement and the Office of Public Instruction that pertain to special education and the Director shall review grant proposals and general fiscal responsibility of programs such as gifted. It shall also be the responsibility of the Director of Special Education to administer existing budgets and related projects according to school district policy and state and/or federal regulations.
5. Program outreach related to position
The Director of Special Education will ensure that the District is:
Making an appropriate effort to identify all children with disabilities in the community.
Making appropriate effort to identify other students in need of support services.
Providing appropriate educational and related services to children with disabilities.
Coordinating efforts to meet and provide supportive services appropriate to helping an optimum number of students take advantage of district educational programs (modified or not) within the range of District resources.
Coordinating the efforts of the school district with related community agencies to ensure the fullest application of services to children with disabilities.
Coordinating the efforts of the school district with related community agencies to ensure the fullest application of services and support to the wide range of student needs.
Screening, evaluating, and helping children with disabilities by such procedures and with such qualified professional personnel as to protect the school district against liability.
Assessing, district‑wide, needs which may emerge from time to time, which are essential to supporting optimum successful student involvement with schooling.
The Director will ensure that the total program of special education is developed and delivered in such a way so as to conform to state and federal regulations. The Director shall recommend to the Superintendent appropriate policies and procedures designed to ensure protection of student and parental rights for programs that are not specifically for the identifiably disabled but which are supportive of student needs.
The Director of Special Education will monitor all procedures in student processing so as to protect the rights of due process of all students and to protect the District as far as possible from liability that might occur were due process denied under current legislation.
6. Administer Special Education regulations
The Director of Special Education shall, with the advice and direction of the Director of Student Achievement, administer all functions of the District's Special Education programs within the framework of all applicable legal statutes and requirements of federal and state agencies and policies of the Board of Trustees. The Director of Special Education will also advise the Superintendent and Board in all matters that will ascertain that the District and its agents act in accordance with contracts entered into by the District, and will assist the Superintendent and Director of Student Achievement to keep the Board informed of all state and federal regulations under which the District is legally bound.
7. Serve as District Non-Discrimination Coordinator
The Director of Special Education shall, with the advice and direction of the Director of Student Achievement, ensure that the District programs and practices conform to federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies with respect to equal opportunity.
8. Coordinate Student Service programs and implementation
The Director of Special Education, with the advice and direction of the Director of Student Achievement, shall generally coordinate the design and delivery of student service programs inclusive of developing a common understanding and definition of identified student needs, of services provided across buildings and grade levels designed to meet such needs, of policies and procedures associated with program delivery, and of assessment and review strategies.
9. Other duties
Ensure that the District special education program conforms to federal, state, and local laws, regulations and policies.
Develop and facilitate all reporting required by federal, state, and local agencies.
Disseminate methods of recording and reporting special education and student services information to building administrators responsible for such students.
Enhance communication within the Special Education division and among District administrative personnel.
Enhance communication among buildings and throughout the District relative to student services programs.
Maintain district‑wide student record system(s) that meets all requirements of state and federal regulations.
Develop handbooks, manuals, forms, etc., in order to facilitate an efficient and informative operation of programs.
Maintain an awareness of best and proven practice for the administering and providing of special pupil services as well as educational services to children with disabilities.
Promote active programs of communication, interpretation, and public relations.
Perform such other duties as may be required by the Superintendent of Schools.
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Administration/Director of Special Education
Date Posted:
3/10/2026
Location:
District Offices Building
Closing Date:
03/27/2026
QUALIFICATIONS
Master's Degree
Applicant must currently hold, or be eligible to receive appropriate certification in the state of Montana (K-12 Supervisor with Special Education Endorsement or Supervisor Special Education P‑12).
Education experience required.
EMPLOYMENT:
2026–2027 School Year
225 contracted days.
LOCATION:
Great Falls Public Schools District Office
START DATE:
July 1, 2026
SALARY:
$111,440 (based on 25‑26 Salary Schedule)
Dependent upon qualifications and experience.
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, letters of recommendation and transcripts via the Frontline application system at
www.gfps.k12.mt.us .
FUNCTION The Director of Special Education has administrative responsibility for overall direction, planning, programming, budgeting, appraisal/evaluation, and coordination of the District's special education programs, according to the established policies of the Board of Trustees and the requirements of the State of Montana. The Director shall also coordinate, between buildings, and assess in an ongoing way the need for and delivery of safety net services for students designed primarily to support students in their endeavors. Such programs include, but are not necessarily restricted to, gifted education, MTSS, 504, Americans with Disabilities Act, sexual harassment, Title IX, and specific at‑risk programs the district may implement.
The Director of Special Education shall have the function of planning, recommending, implementing, and coordinating programs, policies and procedures for special education as well as student safety net programs. Another critical function of the Director is that of acting as a resource and providing consultation for divisions, departments, schools, and staff; and to assist and arrange for appropriate in‑service.
RESPONSIBILITIES The Director of Special Education is directly responsible to the Director of Student Achievement. This Director is accountable for and has the commensurate authority, within prescribed limits of District policies and procedures, to accomplish the fulfillment of the duties set forth below. A governing principle of this position, in accomplishing the duties prescribed, is that all pupil service and safety net programs are to be designed to and assessed for supporting students in a least‑restrictive educational environment while meeting specifically identified needs. Instilling this attitude broadly throughout the District is an important responsibility. Within the scope of this position, appropriate responsibilities may be delegated, but, as a line member of management, the Director of Special Education cannot relinquish accountability for advising the Director of Student Achievement in these designated areas, nor for supervising, coordinating, and evaluating all program activities and supervisory personnel relating to the function and maintenance of special pupil services.
DUTIES 1a. Personnel related to responsibility of position: Special Education
The Director of Special Education directly evaluates all coordinators, and other administrative personnel functioning within the area of defined special pupil services. The Director shall also maintain a continuous supervision of the programs in the special education department, determine student needs, according to policies and mandates, and develop programs to meet such student needs, as well as oversee a planned procedure for the supervision of all special education certificated/licensed and ancillary personnel; and for evaluating certain designated certificated/licensed personnel.
It is understood that special education personnel are primarily responsible to the school principal in respect to scheduling, school policies, procedures, student involvement, and evaluation where designated. Consultation involving performance is intended to be accomplished as a joint endeavor with the affected principal.
The Director will recommend appropriate certified and ancillary staff to meet program needs, working with principals as needed.
1b. Personnel related to responsibility of position: Student Services
The Director of Special Education shall primarily offer resources of coordination between buildings, articulation between grade levels, determination of program and staffing needs such as may be recommended to the Director of Student Achievement, and assessment of program effectiveness. With few exceptions (such as gifted education teachers, and related services personnel) personnel attached to programs shall be directly supervised and evaluated by principals.
2. Equipment or facilities related to responsibility of position
The Director of Special Education will oversee the administration of inventories of all equipment in accordance with local, state, and federal instructions. It is understood that facilities, as such, remain a multiple responsibility of the Director of Special Education, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, and the school principal (where applicable).
3. Development, public relations, and interpretation of program
The Director of Special Education will continually review existing programs for their efficient ability to meet student needs, and the Director will streamline older programs and/or recommend new programs to best meet student needs in the area of special education, and/or guide the District process of developing recommendations to meet student needs in the broader context to provide an appropriate safety net for students.
The Director of Special Education will actively interpret existing as well as needed programs to teachers, administrators, and, as appropriate, the community.
4. Budgetary responsibilities
The Director of Special Education shall be responsible for the overall development, review, and management of budgets to be submitted to the Board of Trustees, the Superintendent of Schools, the Director of Student Achievement and the Office of Public Instruction that pertain to special education and the Director shall review grant proposals and general fiscal responsibility of programs such as gifted. It shall also be the responsibility of the Director of Special Education to administer existing budgets and related projects according to school district policy and state and/or federal regulations.
5. Program outreach related to position
The Director of Special Education will ensure that the District is:
Making an appropriate effort to identify all children with disabilities in the community.
Making appropriate effort to identify other students in need of support services.
Providing appropriate educational and related services to children with disabilities.
Coordinating efforts to meet and provide supportive services appropriate to helping an optimum number of students take advantage of district educational programs (modified or not) within the range of District resources.
Coordinating the efforts of the school district with related community agencies to ensure the fullest application of services to children with disabilities.
Coordinating the efforts of the school district with related community agencies to ensure the fullest application of services and support to the wide range of student needs.
Screening, evaluating, and helping children with disabilities by such procedures and with such qualified professional personnel as to protect the school district against liability.
Assessing, district‑wide, needs which may emerge from time to time, which are essential to supporting optimum successful student involvement with schooling.
The Director will ensure that the total program of special education is developed and delivered in such a way so as to conform to state and federal regulations. The Director shall recommend to the Superintendent appropriate policies and procedures designed to ensure protection of student and parental rights for programs that are not specifically for the identifiably disabled but which are supportive of student needs.
The Director of Special Education will monitor all procedures in student processing so as to protect the rights of due process of all students and to protect the District as far as possible from liability that might occur were due process denied under current legislation.
6. Administer Special Education regulations
The Director of Special Education shall, with the advice and direction of the Director of Student Achievement, administer all functions of the District's Special Education programs within the framework of all applicable legal statutes and requirements of federal and state agencies and policies of the Board of Trustees. The Director of Special Education will also advise the Superintendent and Board in all matters that will ascertain that the District and its agents act in accordance with contracts entered into by the District, and will assist the Superintendent and Director of Student Achievement to keep the Board informed of all state and federal regulations under which the District is legally bound.
7. Serve as District Non-Discrimination Coordinator
The Director of Special Education shall, with the advice and direction of the Director of Student Achievement, ensure that the District programs and practices conform to federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies with respect to equal opportunity.
8. Coordinate Student Service programs and implementation
The Director of Special Education, with the advice and direction of the Director of Student Achievement, shall generally coordinate the design and delivery of student service programs inclusive of developing a common understanding and definition of identified student needs, of services provided across buildings and grade levels designed to meet such needs, of policies and procedures associated with program delivery, and of assessment and review strategies.
9. Other duties
Ensure that the District special education program conforms to federal, state, and local laws, regulations and policies.
Develop and facilitate all reporting required by federal, state, and local agencies.
Disseminate methods of recording and reporting special education and student services information to building administrators responsible for such students.
Enhance communication within the Special Education division and among District administrative personnel.
Enhance communication among buildings and throughout the District relative to student services programs.
Maintain district‑wide student record system(s) that meets all requirements of state and federal regulations.
Develop handbooks, manuals, forms, etc., in order to facilitate an efficient and informative operation of programs.
Maintain an awareness of best and proven practice for the administering and providing of special pupil services as well as educational services to children with disabilities.
Promote active programs of communication, interpretation, and public relations.
Perform such other duties as may be required by the Superintendent of Schools.
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