Special Education Specialist (11 months) CCEIS (MSDE Disproportionality Initiative) 2026-2027

Washington County Public Schools; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 61,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington County Public Schools seeks a Special Education Specialist (11 months) to support the CCEIS initiative and improve outcomes for students with disabilities across selected schools in Maryland.

This role requires MD Certification in special education, five years of teaching experience, and the ability to lead IEP meetings, collaborate with families, and coordinate district-wide supports; the position emphasizes data-informed decision making, equity, and sustainable practices.

Qualifications

• Maryland Certification or Licensure in special education.
• Minimum of five years of successful teaching experience.
• Ability to collaborate across departments to maximize student outcomes.
• Valid driver's license.
• Demonstrated leadership with adults in a positive, professional manner.
• Proficient use of digital platforms and technology.
• Broad experience providing or coordinating special programs.
• Ability to lead IEP meetings and ensure outcomes for students with disabilities.
• Experience working with diverse disabilities and needs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience interacting with parents/advocates to maximize outcomes.
• Knowledge of current trends and legal issues in special education.
• Knowledge of adult learning theory.

Responsibilities

• Enhance collaboration with parents and stakeholders.
• Analyze data and monitor progress via School Review Process.
• Communicate MSDE content standards, outcomes, and indicators.
• Support development and implementation of state grant initiatives.
• Collaboratively facilitate professional development in special education, math, and English.
• Assist in facilitation of IEP meetings, including contentious cases.
• Provide support for legally compliant IEPs.
• Demonstrate inclusive practices and equitable decision-making.
• Plan and deliver professional development for staff.
• Mentor new special educators.
• Collaborate with departments to plan programs and procedures.
• Support expanded use of technology to aid students with disabilities.
• Provide assessment and consultative services.
• Attend training with Special Education Advisory committees as needed.
• Demonstrate professional demeanor to stakeholders.
• Provide targeted professional learning and coaching.
• Collect, analyze, and monitor discipline and student outcome data to reduce disproportionality.
• Partner with leadership to build capacity through data-driven problem-solving.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Skills

Collaboration

Leadership

Communication skills

Technology proficiency

IEP facilitation

Problem-solving

Education

Maryland Certification in Special Education

Job description

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Openings as of 8/30/2026

Special Education Specialist (11 months) CCEIS (MSDE Disproportionality Initiative) 2026-2027 JobID: 14906

• Position Type:
  Teaching - Pre-Kindergarten to 12/ Special Education
• Date Posted:
  7/22/2026

Terms of Employment: Unit I Salary Scale: $61,074 - $105,331 , 11-month work year, 7.5 hours per day

Washington County Public Schools provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their well-being. For complete details, please visit the Employee Benefits Summary .

Role Overview:

The special education specialist will assist department and district leaders in facilitating the consistent implementation of effective practices to meet the needs of students with disabilities, resulting in improved academic performance for all students. Under the framework of Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS), this position will also support systemic efforts to reduce disproportionality in student discipline by building staff capacity, strengthening data-informed decision-making, and promoting sustainable practices across identified schools.

Minimum Requirements:

• Maryland State Department of Education Certification or Licensure in special education
• Five years of successful teaching experience
• Demonstrated success in working with cross-departmental collaboration to maximize student outcomes.
• Current valid driver's license
• Demonstrated leadership skills in working with adults in a positive and professional manner
• Proficient use of digital platforms and technology.
• Broad experience providing/coordinating special programs
• Demonstrated success in working with school teams to align staff to student strengths/needs, blend academic goals through special education accountability, set/monitor goals and follow-up with support to ensure student achievement.
• Ability to independently lead and facilitate Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings to ensure the academic and post-secondary success of all students with disabilities.
• Successful experience working with children with different disabilities and special education needs
• Excellent oral, written, problem-solving and communication skills
• Demonstrated success in working with advocates, parents, and/or agencies to maximize student outcomes and resolve potential areas of conflict
• Knowledge of current trends and legal issues in special education
• Demonstrated success with parent coaching
• Consistent and diligent attention to job responsibilities
• Ability to perform the essential functions within the role, with reasonable accommodations if necessary

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to organize and carry out multiple tasks within time and resource constraints
• Knowledge of Understanding by Design, Universal Design for Learning, the WCPS Essential Curriculum and transfer goals and their connection to instructional best practices for special education
• Knowledge of expectations regarding curriculum and district goals for student achievement
• Knowledge of best practices in instruction across a variety of academic disciplines
• Ability to understand and implement all special education State Performance Plan Indicators/Annual Performance Report and Significant Disproportionality to ensure all students are treated with equity and ensure academic progress is maximized
• Knowledge of specialized instruction and supports as they relate to the specific needs of students with disabilities
• Ability to facilitate supports to ensure that students with disabilities have access to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
• Ability to ensure 100% compliance with local, state, and federal regulations
• Knowledge and successful application of adult learning theory

Role Responsibilities:

In addition, the Special Education Specialist will:

• Enhance collaboration with parents and stakeholders
• Complete data analysis of student data at assigned schools, develop goals as needed, monitor ongoing progress and intervene as needed through the School Review Process
• Communicate Maryland State Department of Education content standards, outcomes, and indicators
• Support the development and implementation of state grant initiatives
• Collaboratively facilitate professional development in special education, math and English
• Assist in the facilitation of IEP meetings, including those that may be potentially contentious
• Provide support for the development and consistent implementation of legally compliant IEPs
• Demonstrate effective practices related to the provision of specialized instruction and other need-based supports
• Reflect understanding of practices such as Response to Intervention, multiple intelligences, and Universal Design for Learning
• Assist with extended school year oversight within school buildings
• Plan and provide professional development for special education and general education staff
• Assist in building the capacity of new special educators through training, modeling, and mentoring
• Work with department and district leaders to plan and implement programs and procedures
• Support the expanded use of technology to enhance the achievement of students with disabilities
• Provide assessment and consultative services
• Participate and attend/provide training at the Special Education Citizen's Advisory Committee and other parent/stakeholder workgroups as needed
• Demonstrate courteous and professional demeanor to all stakeholders of Washington County Public Schools
• Provide targeted, ongoing professional learning and coaching to administrators, teachers, and school teams in designated schools to strengthen inclusive practices, behavioral supports, and equitable decision-making
• Collect, analyze, and monitor discipline, intervention, and student outcome data to identify trends, measure implementation fidelity, and inform continuous improvement efforts related to disproportionate suspension rates and WCPS CCEIS Action Plan
• Partner with school and district leadership to build organizational capacity through data-driven problem-solving, implementation support, and systems coachingthatpromote sustainable change
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based practices designed to improve student outcomes and reduce disproportionality in discipline through proactive intervention and continuous monitoring
• Perform other duties assigned by the Director of Special Education or Supervisors of Special Education

Physical/Mental Requirements:

These expectations outline the physical and mental demands required to successfully perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions effectively.

• Engage in extended periods of sitting or standing. Move comfortably throughout the building and grounds to fulfill various responsibilities.
• Utilize sensory skills to communicate and interact effectively, including seeing, reading, hearing, and talking.
• Maintain emotional control and composure under stress.
• Travel district-wide, as needed, to participate in professional learning and other activities.
• Maintain regular, punctual attendance and work extended or irregular hours when necessary.

Evaluation:

Performance ofthis position will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions ofthe Board's policy on evaluation ofprofessional personnel.

Postings current as of 8/30/2026 5:48:01 AM CST.