Special Education PrincipalManager on Special Assignment

Application Deadline: Friday October 16, 2026

Position Information

This position is 1.0 FTE position running from mid-to-late October through June 30, 2027. Starting salary is based on years of experience. This position is fully benefit eligible, please click here to review the full contract and benefits offered.

Job Summary

The Special Education Principal/Manager on Assignment provides leadership and operational support across key district special education functions. Core responsibilities may include but not limited to: participating in member district consultation, intake, and LRE processes; ensuring MDE due process, fiscal compliance, and monitoring; overseeing ADA document formatting; supporting 504 and due process; and managing program focus areas, including mental health, behavior/safety, training, new employee orientation, and related services.

Nature of Work

Incumbents are responsible for directing and overseeing all school operations, including the development, implementation, revision, and review of school policies and procedures; overseeing and approving the operational budget and spending; collaborating with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives; and developing partnerships with businesses, communities, and other organizations to help meet identified educational needs.

Typical Class Responsibilities

• Oversees daily school operations to include: providing instructional leadership; developing student behavior standards and guidelines; developing, implementing, revising, and reviewing policies and procedures; developing mission statements; establishing performance goals and objectives; providing oversight for the safety and security within the school environment; and developing partnerships with businesses, communities, and other organizations.
• Supervises staff at an assigned school to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and, making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Directs and monitors the operational budgets including establishing preliminary and final budgets; administering assigned budgets; and monitoring site expenditures.
• Establishes, monitors, and enforces comprehensive student behavioral and discipline programs, ensuring consistency in the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, working closely with students, teachers, staff, and parents.
• Ensures school site adherence and compatibility with District goals, objectives, and strategic initiatives; and sets the climate on issues related to applicable initiatives and policies.
• Participates in a variety of meetings, which may include: District meetings, parent or guardian conferences, special education briefings, staff and/or committee meetings, staff development sessions, and/or other related meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Training and Experience Requirements

Master's degree in Educational Administration and related experience in school administration.

Licensure Requirements

Licensed or the ability to obtain a license as a Director of Special Education issued from the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and a teaching license in a special education field (K-12).

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in the following areas: leading and developing staff in equity work, restorative practices, and trauma informed practices; MTSS framework pertaining to academic and behavioral supports; and building and maintaining a healthy and positive school culture amongst staff and students.

Knowledge Requirements

• Supervisory principles and practices
• Education administration principles and practices
• Performance evaluation principles and practices
• Strategic planning principles
• Policy and procedure development principles and practices
• Curriculum development
• Classroom management principles and practices
• Instructional methods and practices
• Proactive behavior management
• Program and service development and management
• Budgeting principles
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Recordkeeping principles
• Computers and related software applications

Skill Requirements

• Leading and/or supervising staff
• Conducting performance evaluations and assessments
• Implementing policies and procedures
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating lessons/curriculum
• Assessing student achievement and learning
• Applying appropriate behavioral interventions
• Managing programs and services
• Planning, coordinating, and implementing program components and activities
• Administering budgets
• Applying local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Preparing and maintaining records and reports
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Operating a computer and applicable software applications
• Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

Physical Requirements

Positions in this class typically require: reaching, standing, walking, use of fingers, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Walking and standing are required only occasionally.

Commitment to Equity

At Northeast Metro 916, equity means that everyone has access to what they need in order to learn, grow and thrive.

Northeast Metro 916 will not discriminate against individuals based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, parental status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, age or sexual orientation.