Department Lead for Special Education

Position Type:Special Education DepartmentDate Posted:3/23/2026Location:Homewood-Flossmoor High Community High SchoolPOSITION: Department Lead for Special EducationSTART DATE: July 1, 2026LENGTH: 225-day contractSALARY: $104,000 - $130,000 (based on experience)DESCRIPTION:The Department Lead reports directly to the principal and or designee. The Department Lead provides leadership and direction for all departmental instructional programs including professional development. The Department Lead serves as an advisor to the Principal and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development.MAJOR POLICY RESPONSIBILITY:The Department Lead is responsible for ensuring that all instructional programs are administered in concert with the policies established by the Board of Education and the state and federal governments. The Lead is also expected to make recommendations to the principal for policy creation, revision, and deletion as related to his/her department.KEY FUNCTIONS:Curriculum and Instruction:Authority/Responsibility - Supervise the development, implementation, and evaluation of equity-centered and culturally responsive curriculum and instructional programs.Representative ActivitiesDirects the adaptation and modification of the core general education curriculum to ensure it is accessible and rigorous for all learners, overseeing the alignment of instructional materials with individual student IEP goals and specialized needs.Build the capacity of department faculty to implement recommended instructional practices that promote high learning outcomes for all students in a culturally responsive and inclusive learning environment.Monitors the departmental data and assessments to help ascertain the quality of the instructional program through common assessments.Articulates with elementary districts and post-secondary institutions.Research and stay up to date on recommended practices in subject area content, grading and reporting practices, social-emotional learning standards, and standards-based learning.Selects and recommends instructional resources for adoption to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.The Department Lead will lead teachers in the design and implementation of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI), ensuring that evidence-based strategies are precisely aligned with students' identified areas of need to drive measurable academic and functional growth.Promote continuous improvement of student learning through effective PLC structures.The Department Lead will facilitate the development of rigorous, ambitious, and measurable goals while establishing systematic progress monitoring protocols to ensure data-driven adjustments and transparency in student achievement.Departmental Leadership:Authority/Responsibility - Provide instructional leadership that promotes the district's vision, mission, and strategic priorities.Representative Activities:Leads an equity-centered vision for teaching and learning in the department.Leads regular meetings to improve the instructional program.Fosters a sense of community and belonging to increase the psychological safety of faculty and staff.Serves as the department liaison in the areas of complaint management, conflict resolution, and academic inquiries.Participates in local, state and national organizations related to the academic area and curriculum and instruction.Develops PLC/Collaborative Team Leads within the department based on school PLC practices.Personnel:Authority/Responsibility - Supervise all personnel activities within the department.Representative Activities:Evaluates, supervises and makes departmental employment recommendations.Recruit, hire, and retain staff using processes that promote equity, diversity, inclusion and transparency.Proactively manage workload assignments for faculty and staff members.Recommends, implements and evaluates professional learning programs for departmental faculty and staff.Coordinates the placement of student teachers and clinical observations within the department.Provides staff with multiple opportunities for growth.Operational Management:Authority/Responsibility - Coordinate the development of day-to-day operational tasks and departmental resources.Representative Activities:Works with department faculty to identify departmental budget needs and recommends budget requests to the Principal, Director for College and Careers and CSBO.Manage departmental budget, resources, and facilities effectively, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with institutional policies and procedures.Provide two-way communication that fosters continuity among departments, department Leads, and administration.Facilitate solution-oriented strategies to address the day-to-day operations of the department.Serve as the LEA or administrative representative for IEP meetings when needed.Manage procedural operations of the department to ensure compliance with federal and state special education regulations, institutional policies, procedures, deadlines, and record keeping.*Other duties as assigned by supervisor, and/or designee.QUALIFICATIONS:Illinois Professional Education License with a Learning Behavior Specialist 1 and General Administrative or Principal endorsements required.Qualified evaluator certification required.Extensive knowledge of a variety of instruction/curricular (special education) programs and best practices.Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and policies related to grants, special education, pathways, and dual-credit.Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.SUPERVISOR(S): Dr. Clinton Alexander, Principal/Director of High School Programs