State Director of Special Education

Job Requisition #55405 – open to all State employees and external applicants. For more information, contact Erin Davis at erin.davis@vermont.gov.

About the Role

The State Director of Special Education provides strategic, statewide leadership for special education systems serving students with disabilities across Vermont. This role ensures rigorous compliance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Vermont law while focusing on at-scale implementation and systems alignment. The Director moves beyond regulatory oversight to integrate special education as a seamless, high-quality component of Vermont's broader "Instructional Core" and academic excellence strategies. The position leads the division in dismantling educational barriers and operationalizing evidence-based practices at a systemic level, aligning fiscal resources, policy frameworks, and professional learning to ensure "substantially equal" educational quality for all learners across every district in the state.

Responsibilities

• Systems Alignment & Strategy: Collaborate with the Chief Academic Officer and agency leadership to integrate special education into the statewide academic mission, ensuring alignment between Act 173 implementation and general education instructional practices.
• At-Scale Implementation: Lead the statewide rollout of evidence-based initiatives to ensure consistent, high-quality intervention and support systems across all Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
• Data-Driven Accountability: Leverage confidential student data not only for federal reporting but as a tool for continuous improvement and actionable insights to close opportunity gaps.
• Policy & Legislative Leadership: Develop and operationalize policies and legislative initiatives that shift the focus from mere compliance to student outcomes and system-wide efficacy.
• Strategic Fiscal Management: Manage federal and state grants, contracts, and budgets with a focus on maximizing the impact of resources on student learning and instructional quality.
• Monitoring & Support: Oversee a monitoring system that pairs rigorous IDEA compliance oversight with technical assistance, ensuring districts have the tools to meet corrective action requirements effectively.
• Team & Culture Leadership: Supervise and mentor staff to foster a culture of high expectations, professional learning, and cross-divisional collaboration.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate robust feedback loops with Special Education Directors, superintendents, and external partners to ensure statewide initiatives are practical and sustainable.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in education or closely related field.
• Seven (7) or more years of experience in the field of special education, including:
  • Two (2) or more years of experience with planning, policy, program administration, or evaluation.
  • Two (2) or more years of supervisory experience.
• OR two (2) or more years as an Education Assistant Division Director with the Agency of Education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Doctoral degree in special education.
• Experience in directing a special education department at the local education agency level.

Skills

• Implementation Expertise: Proven track record of managing large-scale educational systems change or "at-scale" project implementation within a complex regulatory environment.
• Systems Thinking: Ability to see how special education intersects with curriculum, instruction, and accountability, and the skill to align these moving parts into a coherent statewide strategy.
• Regulatory Mastery: Deep knowledge of IDEA, OSEP guidance, and Vermont special education law, with the ability to translate complex regulations into clear, implementable instructional guidance.
• Change Management Skills: Experience leading teams through organizational shifts and building buy-in for new statewide standards and practices.
• Strategic Communication: Excellent skills in navigating high-stakes conversations with district leaders, legislators, and federal partners.
• Commitment to Equity: A steadfast focus on inclusive practices and a belief that the system is responsible for the success of students who struggle.

Environmental Factors

• Normal office working conditions generally prevail.
• Must be able to interact, work, and deal with Agency staff, school personnel, and state, federal, and local officials.
• Regular field monitoring is required.
• Evening and weekend work may be required.
• Travel will be a regular part of the work.

Benefits

As a State employee, you are offered a comprehensive total compensation package worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State-paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families.
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan.
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI).
• Two ways to save for retirement: A State-defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts.
• Low-cost group life insurance.
• Incentive-based Wellness Program.
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program.