Position Type:
Administration/Director
Date Posted:
8/18/2026
Location:
Capital Administrative Office
Date Available:
TBD
Closing Date:
08/26/2026
District:
Capital School District
JOB POSTING: Director of Special Services
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Reports To: Assistant Superintendent
- Terms of Employment: 12-Month Employee
- Salary: Administrative Salary Schedule and Benefits in accordance with Board of Education Policy
- Evaluation: Evaluated annually in accordance with DPAS II (Central Office Administrator) and Board of Education policy
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Director of Special Services provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and supervisory expertise in developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and related services for exceptional children and students with disabilities (Preschool through age 21). Working directly with the Assistant Superintendent, district leadership, school administrators, and community partners, the Director ensures system-wide academic achievement, full regulatory compliance, and inclusive educational practices aligned with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Core Teaching Standards and Learning Progressions for Teachers.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (ALIGNED TO PSEL STANDARDS)
Standard 1: Mission, Vision, and Core Values
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Promotes a shared district vision of academic success, well-being, and high expectations for all students with disabilities and exceptional needs.
- Directs the strategic planning, execution, and evaluation of special education curriculum, instructional practices, and support services to fulfill district educational goals.
- Offers system-wide guidance to improve student achievement, developing targeted technical assistance for low-performing schools and continuous growth initiatives for average/high-performing schools.
Standard 2: Ethics and Professional Norms
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Serves as a transparent, ethical leader who acts with integrity, fairness, and legal responsibility across all district programs and operations.
- Ensures strict adherence to local, state, and federal laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and DE Department of Education regulations.
- Maintains academic accountability by preparing and delivering transparent oral and written reports to the Board of Education, staff, families, and community stakeholders.
Standard 3: Equity and Cultural Responsiveness
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Ensures all educational programs and related services are delivered using inclusive, equitable practices across all district school buildings.
- Collaborates with building staff to oversee accommodations, services, and supports for students under Section 504 plans and IEPs.
- Advocates for culturally responsive practices and equal access to high-quality educational opportunities, summer programs, and transition services for exceptional learners.
Standard 4: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
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Leads district-wide efforts in evaluating, selecting, and implementing research-based special education curricular programs and evidence-based instructional strategies.
- Guides building principals and instructional staff in delivering specialized instruction across all disability categories (including Autism, Severe Disabilities, Visual/Hearing Impairments, and Early Childhood).
- Coordinates special education summer programs to prevent learning loss and ensure continuous developmental growth.
Standard 5: Community of Care and Support for Students
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Coordinates comprehensive related servicesâincluding Psychological, Educational Diagnostic, Speech/Language, Occupational, and Physical Therapyâto support the holistic well-being of students.
- Acts as the district liaison to outside community agencies that provide essential transition services and wrap-around support for students with disabilities.
- Ensures safe, supportive, and least restrictive learning environments across all specialized settings, PreKâ12.
Standard 6: Professional Capacity of School Personnel
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Facilitates district-wide, high-quality professional development for special education teachers, early childhood educators, diagnosticians, specialists, and paraeducators.
- Ensures instructional staff thoroughly understand and execute best practices in special education.
- Supports building administrators at Kent County Community School and Kent County Secondary ILC
Standard 7: Professional Community for Teachers and Staff
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Fosters a collaborative culture among general educators, special educators, service providers, and administrators to support inclusive service delivery.
- Directs investigation, analysis, and solution formulation for complex or non-routine special education matters, advising cabinet members and building teams.
Standard 8: Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community
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Establishes strong, collaborative partnerships with parents, guardians, and advocacy groups to enhance family engagement in the IEP and 504 processes.
- Coordinates with external state, local, and community agencies to ensure smooth early intervention-to-PreK and post-secondary transition pathways.
Standard 9: Operations and Management
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Assists the Assistant Superintendent, Business Manager, and Principals in developing, coordinating, and managing the special education departmental budget.
- Demonstrates fiscal leadership in writing applications for, securing, and managing federal (e.g., IDEA), state, and competitive grants to enrich district instruction.
- Monitors state and federal audit compliance and collaboratively executes required Corrective Action Plans (CAPs).
Standard 10: School Improvement
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Drives continuous district-wide improvement initiatives based on data analysis, student performance metrics, and state monitoring results.
- Advises the Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent's Cabinet on non-routine operational, legal, and academic special education matters.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent to further the district's strategic goals.
QUALIFICATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS
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Certification:
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Currently hold or be eligible Director of Special Education Certification in the State of Delaware.
- Hold a valid Delaware Special Education Teacher Certification.
- Education:
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Master's or Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from a regionally accredited institution; AND
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Master's degree in any field which includes a minimum of 30 semester hours in special education leadership AND completion of an approved program pursuant to 14 DE Admin. Code 1594; OR
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Hold a Standard School Principal Certificate AND complete an additional 9 graduate-level credit hours in educational leadership (or DE Department of Education approved equivalent).
- Experience:
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Minimum of five (5) years of administrative experience working with exceptional children/special education at the PreKâ12 level (or equivalent).
- Principal experience or direct supervisory experience over special education programs/staff strongly preferred.
- Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
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Proficient knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, DE Administrative Code, and state/federal teacher personnel regulations.
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Exceptional interpersonal, team-building, organizational, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Proficiency with educational technology, student information systems, and computer applications.
Required License (s)
Required Certificate(s)
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Director of Special Education
Salary:
2026-2027 Administrative Salary Rate
Benefit:
Standard Employee Benefit
Name:
Donna L. Mitchell Ed. D.
Street Address:
198 Commerce Way
Title:
Director of Human Resources
City:
Dover
Phone:
302-857-4214
Zip:
19904
District (Internal) Employee
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Capital School District Administrative Application
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Letter of interest
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Resume'
Non-District applicant
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Capital School District Administrative Application
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Letter of interest
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Resume'
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Three (3) current letters of reference
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Transcripts
Incomplete applications will not be considered. For accommodations, contact the Capital School District Human Resources Office at 302-857-4215.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Capital School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any protected category. Inquiries may be directed to the District Title IX, Section 504, or ADA Coordinators, 198 Commerce Way, Dover, DE 19904, (302) 672-1500.
