Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design

H U M A N R E S O U R C E S

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS & INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

The State Education Resource Center (SERC), a quasi-public agency serving the State of
Connecticut, is seeking candidates to fill the full-time Director of Special Education Programs
and Instructional Design position. This position will be primarily responsible for collaborating
with internal and external partners to develop, support, and sustain the agency’s infrastructure for
special education programs and services, and, in the absence of the Executive Director, the
incumbent will be responsible for all facets of SERC’s operations. This includes program
design, coordination, and monitoring, professional learning, personnel, and policy development.
This position reports directly to the Executive Director. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt
position.

SERC's mission is to provide resources, professional development, and a centralized library to
educators, families, and community members in collaboration with the CT State Board of
Education and other partners. SERC believes that all students have the right to access
opportunities and experiences that reflect and respect their differences and abilities. Research
indicates that educational outcomes for students of color, students who are English learners, and
students with disabilities continue to lag behind other students' outcomes. SERC's consultants
and staff, in collaboration with our partners in school districts and organizations, build the
capacity of educators, service providers, and families to meet the diverse needs of our student
population.

General Summary

The SERC Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design will collaborate
with the Executive Director by providing leadership and guidance, both internally and externally,
to ensure effective and efficient implementation of SERC’s vision and mission. Furthermore, the
position will work directly with the Board of Directors and SERC’s Leadership Team to lead,
implement, and assess SERC’s sustainability plan and long-range system goals designed to
diversify the agency’s funding sources. The Director will lead collaborative efforts with the
Special Education Division Director, Bureau of Special Education, Connecticut State
Department of Education (CSDE), and other CSDE personnel regarding the design, efficacy,
sustainability, impact, and implementation of SERC’s program offerings.

175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone: (860) 632-1485

www.ctserc.org

Essential Job Functions

The SERC Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design provides a wide
range of services in collaboration with the Executive Director. Applicants must have the ability
to complete the following essential job functions:

Innovation

• Keep current on national and state program innovations and policy changes to anticipate

Planning

• Operate in collaboration with the CSDE and other student-serving agencies around the

social justice programming locally and statewide.

Program

• Maintain an effective liaison with the CSDE, school districts, community agencies, and

Marketing

• Support the development and implementation of SERC’s five-year strategic marketing

learning programs, including meeting regularly with staff for communication, goal-
setting, progress monitoring, and

175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone: (860) 632-1485

www.ctserc.org

Finance
• Manage and monitor all federal and state program budgets under the supervision of this

position, including monthly and annual reporting to the CSDE and other granting
agencies.

perform the essential job functions.

Responsibilities

The SERC Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design encompasses a host
of responsibilities. Duties include, but are not limited to:

Program

• Engage in ongoing evaluation, including coordination of Results Based Accountability

assistance documents and pieces of training as related to either the special education
programs or other federal and state grants;

accessible; and

• Maintain awareness of and involvement in national and state professional organizations

Marketing

• Leverage communication, marketing, and branding efforts to include SERC’s social

include district superintendents, key district office personnel, school principals, and heads
of appropriate educational agencies and community organizations; and

175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone: (860) 632-1485

www.ctserc.org

• Represent SERC at conferences, community events, etc., to promote SERC’s vision and

Supervisory

• Coordinate staff assignments, identify staff needs, and facilitate supervisee professional

and recommending of qualified candidates for agency positions.

Additional duties may, at times, be required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: 
Adult learning theory, culture design, and transformation, with a focus on change

management experience, implementing educational initiatives and programs; 

Best practices to inform SERC’s Inclusion, Racial Equity, and Social Justice agenda;


Leading large complex projects, working in a fast-paced environment, handling multiple

and changing priorities simultaneously, and 

Navigating complex organizations and making the right connections to drive work

forward while anticipating potential shifts in work and performance;

Skill In: 
Developing and managing program services and gaining support from stakeholders in a

complex environment;


Developing a measurement strategy to monitor and drive success and hold SERC
accountable for expected results;


Developing a network and association with educators in state schools and districts;


Planning, executing, and overseeing professional development and training opportunities;

175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone: (860) 632-1485

www.ctserc.org



Administering programs, interpersonal and consulting skills; needs assessment, problem-
solving, collaboration, and supervision to drive results; and


Working in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.).

Ability to: 
Lead individuals and teams effectively;


Develop creative and innovative learning opportunities;


Develop relationships and design training/technical assistance necessary to engage

participants in meaningful professional development; 

Professionally represent SERC at work-related functions and in the community, to

include presenting information to diverse audiences; 

Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in diverse situations;


Define problems, collect data, and establish facts to draw valid conclusions as a change

agent; and 

Lead multiple projects concurrently while paying close attention to detail.

The ideal applicant must have demonstrated effectiveness in a collaborative, highly team-
oriented environment yet possess initiative, self-motivation, and work with minimal supervision.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position will be responsible for the supervision of a team of consultants.

Work Environment

The Director of Special Education Programs and Instructional Design will operate in a
professional office and virtual environment. Professional business attire will be required. This
role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones. Off-site
requirements are specific to workshops, training, or school and community work. This position
routinely requires in-state and, occasionally, out-of-state travel.

175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone: (860) 632-1485

www.ctserc.org

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the
essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
The employee is frequently required to stand; be mobile; use hands or fingers; handle or feel,
reach with hands and arms and lift/carry items. The availability of transportation is required to
attend off-site work requirements.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This role is a full-time, exempt position. Days and work hours are Monday through Friday from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasionally, weekend or after-hours work may be necessary.

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in Special Education, Education, or related field AND ten (10) years of
professional experience in the field of education, preferably with an administrative or central
office background, AND five (5) years of experience in a supervisory position, required. Or an
advanced degree in the field of Special Education and experience in the education of students
with disabilities in the least restrictive environment AND ten (10) or more years of experience
serving as a regular or special education teacher or administrator, AND five (5) years of
experience in a supervisory position, preferred.

Salary

$115,000
*All new hires will start at the first step of the salary range; non-negotiable.

This position will remain open until filled. A thorough, updated resume, cover letter, and at least
three professional references submitted with the application package are required for consideration.
Apply online at www.ctserc.org (select Employment under the about tab). SERC reserves the right
to substitute years of experience for certification or degrees. SERC may expand inquiries into
materials submitted in support of an applicant's candidacy without further permission from the
applicant.

175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone: (860) 632-1485

www.ctserc.org

Disclaimer

SERC reserves the right to substitute years of experience for certification or degrees. SERC may
expand inquiries into materials submitted in support of an applicant's candidacy without further
permission from the applicant. SERC reserves the right to modify compensation, benefits,
minimum qualifications, desired skills, and job duties for this position at any time. A complete
satisfactory background check is required.

SERC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages the
application of individuals from racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse backgrounds and
from persons with disabilities.

175 Union Street  Waterbury, CT 06706  Phone: (860) 632-1485

www.ctserc.org