Exceptional Children Director of Policy

Johnston County Public Schools; Smithfield (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnston County Public Schools is seeking an Exceptional Children Director of Policy to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, manage dispute resolution, and collaborate with families and schools to safeguard procedural safeguards for students with disabilities.

The role reports to the Executive Director of Exceptional Children Programs and requires a Master’s in a relevant field, NC licensure eligibility, and at least 5 years in special education.

Qualifications

• Hold or be eligible to hold North Carolina licensure in School Administration or Exceptional Children Program Administrator.
• Master’s Degree in Special Education or School Administration.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in special education or a related field.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws and policies governing services for students with disabilities.
• Preferred: Experience supervising exceptional children programs and staff. Experience developing and delivering professional learning.

Responsibilities

• Establish a district monitoring system for special education compliance to ensure the district meets federal and state Indicators.
• Guide district personnel through the NCDPI Continuous Improvement and Focused Monitoring process, including conducting internal audits and overseeing the implementation of corrective action.
• Maintain a thorough working knowledge of current laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures governing programs and services for students with disabilities.
• Draft, implement, and monitor local processes for special education programs.
• Prepare, submit, and present local, state, and federal reports.
• Consult and advise central and school-based staff on individual cases to resolve concerns related to special education services.
• Collaborate with departmental staff, General Counsel, and school-based staff in response to state complaints, requests for facilitation and mediation, OCR complaints, and due process petitions, to include overseeing and monitoring completion of corrective action and dispute resolution agreements.
• Develop processes for and ensure adherence to timelines related to special education record requests.
• Respond to requests for independent educational evaluations.
• Assist with preparation and monitoring of contracts with individuals and agencies for special education services.
• Collaborate with departmental staff regularly to assess the progress of programs and initiatives, and participate in short and long-range planning.
• Communicate with families and other stakeholders to explain educational programs and answer questions.
• Develop and deliver professional learning opportunities related to special education processes for district and school-based staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Policy knowledge

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Master’s Degree in Special Education or School Administration

NC licensure in School Administration or Exceptional Children Program Administrator

Minimum 5 years experience in special education

Job description

Johnston County Public Schools Exceptional Children's Services - Smithfield, North Carolina Open in Google Maps

Exceptional Children Director of Policy

Johnston County Public Schools Exceptional Children's Services - Smithfield, North Carolina Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5933656

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Sep 19, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Exceptional Children Director of Policy

Location: Exceptional Children Programs

Salary: Administrative Salary Schedule

Term of Employment: 12 Months

Reports to: Executive Directorof Exceptional Children Programs

Position Summary: The Exceptional Children Director of Policy ensures that policies and procedures are implemented in compliance with applicable federal and state laws and local policies. This position will work closely with the Executive Director of Exceptional Children to manage all tasks related to dispute resolution, including IEP facilitation, mediation, state complaints, Office of Civil Rights complaints, and due process petitions. This position also works closely with schools, families, and organizations to ensure that each family benefits from a system of procedural safeguards.

Qualifications and Attributes

• Hold or be eligible to hold North Carolina licensure in School Administration or Exceptional Children Program Administrator.
• Master’s Degree in Special Education or School Administration.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in special education or a related field.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws and policies governing services for students with disabilities.
• Preferred: Experience supervising exceptional children programs and staff. Experience developing and delivering professional learning.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish a district monitoring system for special education compliance to ensure the district meets federal and state Indicators.
• Guide district personnel through the NCDPI Continuous Improvement and Focused Monitoring process, including conducting internal audits and overseeing the implementation of corrective action.
• Maintain a thorough working knowledge of current laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures governing programs and services for students with disabilities.
• Draft, implement, and monitor local processes for special education programs.
• Prepare, submit, and present local, state, and federal reports.
• Consult and advise central and school-based staff on individual cases to resolve concerns related to special education services.
• Collaborate with departmental staff, General Counsel, and school-based staff in response to state complaints, requests for facilitation and mediation, OCR complaints, and due process petitions, to include overseeing and monitoring completion of corrective action and dispute resolution agreements.
• Develop processes for and ensure adherence to timelines related to special education record requests.
• Respond to requests for independent educational evaluations.
• Assist with preparation and monitoring of contracts with individuals and agencies for special education services.
• Collaborate with departmental staff regularly to assess the progress of programs and initiatives, and participate in short and long-range planning.
• Communicate with families and other stakeholders to explain educational programs and answer questions.
• Develop and deliver professional learning opportunities related to special education processes for district and school-based staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to communicate orally and in writing with parents/guardians, staff, and community members.
• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of fingering, grasping, kneeling, sitting, walking, stooping, reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling, talking, seeing, hearing, and repetitive motion.

Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid NC driver’s license.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents, teachers, students, administrators, community leaders, agency representatives, and others.
• Ability to develop and compile a variety of records and reports.
• Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate a variety of staff, programs, and activities.

DISCLAIMERS: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.

Johnston County Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in the employment or promotion of employees on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, national origin or disability.

Position Type: Full-Time

Job Categories:

Administration > Director/Coordinator/Manager

Contact Information

• Melissa Weber , Executive Director of Exceptional Children
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability
• Email: [e-mail]

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