Director, Exceptional Student Education

Job Details

Job FamilyADMIN- Professional Exempt Contractual (PEC)Grade18Salary$94,419 to $118,024DepartmentFlorida Charter InstituteReports ToExecutive Director, Florida Charter InstituteClosing DateOpen Until FilledFLSA StatusExempt - Not Eligible for Overtime CompensationFirst Review DateNovember 10, 2026

Position Overview

The Director of the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) oversees the support and services provided to students with disabilities and students identified as gifted who attend Florida Charter Institute - Miami Dade College (FCI-MDC) authorized Charter schools. The position works with the Charter schools and provides administrative oversight for all ESE services. The position also coordinates the implementation of the Charter schools' mental health assistance plans and related community partnerships to support student access to mental health services.

This is a Professional Exempt Contractual (PEC) position for which an annual contract reflecting the base salary within the fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th) will be issued after ratification by Miami Dade College's District Board of Trustees.

This grant position will be eligible for participation in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) after 6 consecutive months of continuous employment.

What you will be doing

• Provides leadership and guidance to FCI-MDC authorized Charter schools to ensure they have policies, procedures, and programs consistent with state policies and procedures for the education of children with disabilities
• Plans, develops, implements Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans across all MDC authorized schools, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations
• Leads the design and implementation of MDC's Exceptional Student Education (ESE) division, including staffing and best practices to establish a division that will be a model across the state and country
• Oversees the provision of required administrative and education services related to exceptional student education in charter schools (e.g., initial evaluations, IEP system and training, IEP team members, and LEA representative)
• Collaborate with school administrators and external agencies to develop and implement professional development opportunities that enhance the capacity of educations to support exceptional students and ensure their needs are effectively met
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of ESE programs and services to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements
• Provides strategic guidance and support to charter schools on preparing and managing their ESE budgets, ensuring the effective and efficient allocation of resources to align with and support program goals
• Provides oversight of the Charter school's ESE Policies and Procedures (ESE P&P) ensuring proposed procedures for the provision of special instruction and services for exceptional students are comprehensive, compliant, and effectively implemented
• Coordinates the development, implementation, and annual review of the Mental Health Assistance Allocation (MHAA) plan for FCI-MDC authorized Charter schools, ensuring plans, budgets, and required outcome reports are submitted to the Florida Department of Education in accordance with s. 1011.62, F.S., and applicable deadlines
• Monitors Charter school implementation of the mental health plan, including student screening, referral, and intervention procedures, to ensure required timelines for assessment, services, and documentation are met and that coordinated supports are provided to students with disabilities and gifted students whose needs intersect with mental health services
• Establishes and maintains community partnerships with licensed behavioral health providers and community agencies, including the development of memoranda of understanding and referral agreements, to expand student access to school-based and community mental health services
• Serves as the FCI-MDC liaison among Charter schools, community mental health providers, and school-based teams to coordinate and facilitate the delivery of mental health services and supports; this role is coordinative and administrative in nature and does not provide direct clinical services
• Coordinates state-required youth mental health awareness training and related professional development for Charter school personnel, and supports schools in implementing multi-tiered systems of support for behavioral and mental health
• Maintains current knowledge and best practices of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and engages in ongoing professional development

Performs other duties as assigned

What you need to succeed

• Master's degree in Educational Leadership or Supervision, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution with five (5) years of professional experience in Exceptional Student Education and supervisory experience; or Bachelor's degree in education, public policy, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution and nine (9) years of related experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of College organization, goals and objectives, and policies and procedures
• Strong knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations related to special education and gifted education
• Knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA (American Disabilities Act)
• Knowledge of Microsoft office software and specific computer programs related to area of responsibility
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including Charter school staff and external agencies
• Possess excellent analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to evaluate complex educational programs and financial plans
• Possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including charter school operators, community members, and government officials
• Knowledge of Florida's Mental Health Assistance Allocation requirements and school-based mental health systems of support, and ability to coordinate services and partnerships with community behavioral health providers (clinical licensure not required)
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to include evenings and weekends
• Ability to work in work well with students, faculty and staff

Additional Requirements

The final candidate is to successfully complete a background screening and reference check process.