Executive Director, Pupil Services

The School District of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 97,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The School District of Philadelphia is seeking an Executive Director of Specialized Services to lead the Office of Specialized Services (OSS) and oversee professional development, gifted services, and related supports for students with disabilities.

This 12-month, full-time role focuses on aligning services with IDEA, state regulations, and district goals, driving data-based strategies, and guiding school teams to improve student outcomes and equitable access to services across the district.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Ten years of full-time, paid, professional experience in education, three of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity.

Responsibilities

• Directs and oversees through subordinate personnel such as School Psychologists, related service providers, gifted service providers and Special Project Assistants engaged in providing various school based support services.
• Manages the establishment, monitoring, training and development of corrective action for compliance with federal and state laws and rules and Board policy to ensure consistent support of student academic achievement.
• Supports and oversees Directors and other personnel with the review of data for trends and anomalies as a means of identifying data-based strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of and to target technical assistance to improve services and service delivery.
• Ensures that data pertaining to the provision of psychological and related services and direct services that OSS provides is systematically collected, reviewed and maintained to assess productivity measured by the adherence to federal and state mandated timelines as measured by students’ outcomes; proactively addresses programmatic concerns.
• Promotes coordination and articulation between OSS, school leaders, and school teams to ensure successful school based support.

Education

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university

Job description

Title

Executive Director, Specialized Services, Pupil Personnel Department: Office of Specialized Services

Reports To

Deputy, Specialized Services

Full-Time Position

This is a full-time, 12-month, non-represented position. The salary grade is 4032, starting at $107,655, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.

School District of Philadelphia

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 198,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?

Job Summary

Oversees and administers the work of Professional Development gifted services, related services and psychological services to ensure alignment with the strategic goals of the District and the goals of the Office of Specialized Services (OSS). Ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state regulations pertaining to the education of students with disabilities. Ensures that direct support to school teams and administrators is aligned to data pertaining to outcomes for students with disabilities as measured against the common core standards, and the integration of students with disabilities with their non-disabled peers. Commits to these principles and the role of data to demonstrate the efficacy of support.

Essential Functions

• Directs and oversees through subordinate personnel such as School Psychologists, related service providers, gifted service providers and Special Project Assistants engaged in providing various school based support services
• Manages the establishment, monitoring, training and development of corrective action for compliance with federal and state laws and rules and Board policy to ensure consistent support of student academic achievement.
• Supports and oversees Directors and other personnel with the review of data for trends and anomalies as a means of identifying data-based strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of and to target technical assistance to improve services and service delivery.
• Ensures that data pertaining to the to the provision of psychological and related services and direct services that OSS provides is systematically collected, reviewed and maintained to assess productivity measured by the adherence to federal and state mandated timelines as measured by students’ outcomes; proactively addresses programmatic concerns.
• Promotes coordination and articulation between OSS, school leaders, and school teams to ensure successful school based support.
• Collaborates with representatives of various District offices and community agencies to assure integration of services with District initiatives related to the achievement of all students
• Participates in the design of professional development/in-service programs for OSS staff.
• Provides support in the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all IDEA mandated training and technical assistance provided by OSS.
• Uses instructional data from the District’s data systems to monitor student outcomes, develop instructional action plans, coach regular and special education staff with District and Network leaders regarding evidence-based instructional practices for students.
• Supports the mentoring of new teachers.
• Directs and coordinates the school allocation process for special education.
• Participates in the design of fiscal plans related to the provision of services.
• Designs cost-effective models for the implementation of high quality services that are consistent with applicable federal, state and local mandates.
• Collaborates annually with OSS staff and/or the Pennsylvania Department of Education to develop and maintain the Intermediate Unit Plan for special education service delivery.
• Collaborates closely with the Deputy of the Office of Specialized Services, and OSS staff to maintain the vision, mission and initiatives of OSS.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Ten years of full-time, paid, professional experience in education, three of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity and have included supervising school psychology services, related services or pupil personnel services, and responsibility for planning, developing, implementing and monitoring programs and compliance plans.

Certificates/Licenses

• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania supervisory certificate in Special Education. OR
• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative Certificate for K-12 School Principal. OR
• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania supervisory certificate in Pupil Services

The candidate must ensure that all of their relevant work experience is reflected on their resume prior to the submission of their application for District employment.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of

• the federal, state and local mandates governing the implementation and operation of special education programs.
• the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of federal education grant programs.
• the needs of students from diversified backgrounds and various learning abilities and styles.
• the principles and practices for special education administration and program and project planning.
• supervisory methods and techniques.

Demonstrated Ability To

• coordinate and oversee an array of special education services and programs.
• develop and implement policies and procedures to successfully effect change.
• plan, coordinate and refine mandated services to learning networks, schools, students and families.
• maintain complete and accurate records and statistics and to develop meaningful reports from them.
• review and analyze school and District wide data to assess the effectiveness of programs and activities.
• handle and meet multiple deadlines in a fast paced and demanding work environment.
• work independently in a fluid environment and as part of a team to accomplish goals.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing .
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.

Primary Location

Office Of Specialized Services (9CL0)

Job

Central Office

Schedule

Regular

Job Posting

Oct 7, 2026, 11:07:15 AM

Union Affiliation

Not represented by a union

Unposting Date

Oct 30, 2026, 8:59:00 PM