Exceptional Student Services Director
NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Phoenix, AZ, United States
Fowler Elementary School District
Exceptional Student Services Director Location: Phoenix, AZ Closing Date: Apr 9, 2026 Classification: Administrator Hours: Full‑time Employment Type: Permanent
Description The Exceptional Services Director provides leadership, supervision, and coordination of the entire Exceptional Education program, including special education, Section 504, alternative programs, and Gifted education. The role plans, directs, and implements programs designed to meet the individual needs of exceptional students and improve student achievement. Responsibilities include overseeing district‑wide Section 504 plans, providing training and in‑service to staff, parents, and the community, and fostering understanding of special and general education students.
Qualifications
Master’s Degree or above in education or a related field (required)
Valid Arizona administrative certificate (required)
Special Education certificate (required)
Valid fingerprint clearance card (required)
Five years of successful elementary or middle school teaching experience in special education (preferred)
Three years of experience developing or monitoring budgets (preferred)
Experience working with parents and the community on exceptional education issues
Experience planning and delivering professional development to school personnel
Strong decision‑making and problem‑solving skills
Experience in building‑level leadership in special education
Experience with certified and classified staff supervision
At least one year interpreting and implementing state and federal special education laws and regulations
Skill in curriculum planning, staff training, goal setting, and program evaluation
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with students, parents, and staff
Excellent English written and verbal communication, including spelling, punctuation, and grammar
Knowledge of Spanish (desirable)
Energetic, decisive, highly ethical, & strong leader
Sensitive to interpersonal relationships
Ability to manage multiple assignments concurrently
Administrative experience (preferred)
Knowledge Of
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its regulations
Special education, Gifted Education, Section 504, and language acquisition programs
Child Study Team process
Standard special education forms such as MET, IEP, Parent Release, Student Placement
Elementary/Middle school curriculum
General and special education student intervention programs and procedures
Federal and Arizona School Law governing schools and districts
District and school policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
National standards and Arizona Academic and Professional Standards
Ability To
Perform functions from written and oral instructions
Utilize problem‑solving techniques
Prioritize work, take initiative, adhere to time restraints, and manage multiple tasks
Maintain confidentiality of staff, student, and family records
Write and manage grants
Participate in staff selection, assignment, orientation, and evaluation
Provide in‑service to staff
Plan, organize, and motivate staff
Work effectively with a diverse community
Communicate ideas and programs to individuals, staff, parents, and the community
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Oversee the entire Exceptional Education program, including staff, facilities, and services (speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.)
Establish and maintain special education classes and services for all exceptional students
Develop and promote procedures for screening and diagnosing students in special programs
Implement uniform procedures for identification, evaluation, and placement of students
Identify students not making adequate academic progress and design appropriate interventions
Provide principals with current research‑based models for identification and intervention
Visit and monitor special education classrooms to ensure services meet IEP goals
Monitor compliance with federal and state policies and procedures
Ensure compliance with NCLB, Arizona Standards, and Arizona Learns
Implement Part B IDEA and other federal programs
Manage resource allocations and curriculum enhancements based on needs assessments
Research parent and staff concerns and negotiate solutions
Inform parents of their rights and responsibilities concerning their children’s education
Represent the district as the community’s advocate for children with disabilities
Assist the principal in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring highly qualified staff and paraprofessionals
Assist the building principal in evaluating special education personnel
Oversee personnel assignments to alternative education programs
Facilitate and oversee initial and annual Section 504 plans district‑wide
Review and correct department documents, forms, and reports for completion and appropriateness
Plan and administer the budget for special education services
Prepare financial and program reports required by the State Department of Education
Investigate federal and state financial aid for special education
Write grants, budgets, amendments, and reports in coordination with district administration
Facilitate program development and textbook adoption
Maintain student records as required by state regulations
Develop and provide staff development in curriculum and instructional strategies
Establish effective communication with outside agencies providing specialized assistance
Maintain and distribute testing material for school psychologists
Conduct internal and external monitoring of special education programs
Coordinate and evaluate alternative, gifted, homebound, and other special education programs
Manage and supervise Medicaid in the Public School (MIPS) program
Develop and file a state‑approved special education curriculum as mandated by the Arizona Department of Education
Continually evaluate existing programs for academic growth and IEP goal achievement
Work with district administration to develop ESY programs for summer sessions
Develop and maintain open lines of communication between education staff, regular program staff, parents, and agencies
Assist the building principal in coordinating transportation needs for special education students
Communicate program‑related activities, events, and concerns to the Superintendent and Governing Board
Work cooperatively with relevant community and parent advisory committees
Develop and facilitate the use of technology as a teaching tool and for accurate record‑keeping
Standardize materials used in each special education class and ensure availability to teachers
Prepare program reports for the administrative team and Governing Board as requested
Participate in district professional development workshops and conferences for continued growth
Maintain strict confidentiality and discretion when handling personnel and student records
Adhere to Governing Board policies, Arizona Revised Statutes, and federal regulations
Perform all other duties assigned by the Governing Board, Superintendent, or designee
Submit all required state and federal reports in a timely manner (data, census verification, etc.)
Additional Information Length of Employment: Twelve (12) months Reports to: District Superintendent Evaluation: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Board Policy GDO
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Exceptional Student Services Director Location: Phoenix, AZ Closing Date: Apr 9, 2026 Classification: Administrator Hours: Full‑time Employment Type: Permanent
Description The Exceptional Services Director provides leadership, supervision, and coordination of the entire Exceptional Education program, including special education, Section 504, alternative programs, and Gifted education. The role plans, directs, and implements programs designed to meet the individual needs of exceptional students and improve student achievement. Responsibilities include overseeing district‑wide Section 504 plans, providing training and in‑service to staff, parents, and the community, and fostering understanding of special and general education students.
Qualifications
Master’s Degree or above in education or a related field (required)
Valid Arizona administrative certificate (required)
Special Education certificate (required)
Valid fingerprint clearance card (required)
Five years of successful elementary or middle school teaching experience in special education (preferred)
Three years of experience developing or monitoring budgets (preferred)
Experience working with parents and the community on exceptional education issues
Experience planning and delivering professional development to school personnel
Strong decision‑making and problem‑solving skills
Experience in building‑level leadership in special education
Experience with certified and classified staff supervision
At least one year interpreting and implementing state and federal special education laws and regulations
Skill in curriculum planning, staff training, goal setting, and program evaluation
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with students, parents, and staff
Excellent English written and verbal communication, including spelling, punctuation, and grammar
Knowledge of Spanish (desirable)
Energetic, decisive, highly ethical, & strong leader
Sensitive to interpersonal relationships
Ability to manage multiple assignments concurrently
Administrative experience (preferred)
Knowledge Of
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its regulations
Special education, Gifted Education, Section 504, and language acquisition programs
Child Study Team process
Standard special education forms such as MET, IEP, Parent Release, Student Placement
Elementary/Middle school curriculum
General and special education student intervention programs and procedures
Federal and Arizona School Law governing schools and districts
District and school policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
National standards and Arizona Academic and Professional Standards
Ability To
Perform functions from written and oral instructions
Utilize problem‑solving techniques
Prioritize work, take initiative, adhere to time restraints, and manage multiple tasks
Maintain confidentiality of staff, student, and family records
Write and manage grants
Participate in staff selection, assignment, orientation, and evaluation
Provide in‑service to staff
Plan, organize, and motivate staff
Work effectively with a diverse community
Communicate ideas and programs to individuals, staff, parents, and the community
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Oversee the entire Exceptional Education program, including staff, facilities, and services (speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.)
Establish and maintain special education classes and services for all exceptional students
Develop and promote procedures for screening and diagnosing students in special programs
Implement uniform procedures for identification, evaluation, and placement of students
Identify students not making adequate academic progress and design appropriate interventions
Provide principals with current research‑based models for identification and intervention
Visit and monitor special education classrooms to ensure services meet IEP goals
Monitor compliance with federal and state policies and procedures
Ensure compliance with NCLB, Arizona Standards, and Arizona Learns
Implement Part B IDEA and other federal programs
Manage resource allocations and curriculum enhancements based on needs assessments
Research parent and staff concerns and negotiate solutions
Inform parents of their rights and responsibilities concerning their children’s education
Represent the district as the community’s advocate for children with disabilities
Assist the principal in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring highly qualified staff and paraprofessionals
Assist the building principal in evaluating special education personnel
Oversee personnel assignments to alternative education programs
Facilitate and oversee initial and annual Section 504 plans district‑wide
Review and correct department documents, forms, and reports for completion and appropriateness
Plan and administer the budget for special education services
Prepare financial and program reports required by the State Department of Education
Investigate federal and state financial aid for special education
Write grants, budgets, amendments, and reports in coordination with district administration
Facilitate program development and textbook adoption
Maintain student records as required by state regulations
Develop and provide staff development in curriculum and instructional strategies
Establish effective communication with outside agencies providing specialized assistance
Maintain and distribute testing material for school psychologists
Conduct internal and external monitoring of special education programs
Coordinate and evaluate alternative, gifted, homebound, and other special education programs
Manage and supervise Medicaid in the Public School (MIPS) program
Develop and file a state‑approved special education curriculum as mandated by the Arizona Department of Education
Continually evaluate existing programs for academic growth and IEP goal achievement
Work with district administration to develop ESY programs for summer sessions
Develop and maintain open lines of communication between education staff, regular program staff, parents, and agencies
Assist the building principal in coordinating transportation needs for special education students
Communicate program‑related activities, events, and concerns to the Superintendent and Governing Board
Work cooperatively with relevant community and parent advisory committees
Develop and facilitate the use of technology as a teaching tool and for accurate record‑keeping
Standardize materials used in each special education class and ensure availability to teachers
Prepare program reports for the administrative team and Governing Board as requested
Participate in district professional development workshops and conferences for continued growth
Maintain strict confidentiality and discretion when handling personnel and student records
Adhere to Governing Board policies, Arizona Revised Statutes, and federal regulations
Perform all other duties assigned by the Governing Board, Superintendent, or designee
Submit all required state and federal reports in a timely manner (data, census verification, etc.)
Additional Information Length of Employment: Twelve (12) months Reports to: District Superintendent Evaluation: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Board Policy GDO
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