Section Chief, Early Childhood Special Education

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population – students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland.

The Section Chief of Early Childhood Special Education provides programmatic leadership and supervision for the implementation of a statewide seamless comprehensive Birth through Kindergarten system of coordinated early childhood intervention and education services through the administration of Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program (MITP), Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Preschool Special Education Grant Program, Part B Section 619 of the IDEA. The Section Chief will bring their knowledge of Birth-3 and Early Childhood intervention, specialized instruction, and family and community partnerships to ensure age-appropriate outcomes for Maryland’s youngest learners.

This position is responsible for the implementation of the statewide interagency early intervention and education system of services, Birth through Kindergarten, including Part C and Part B/619 policies, Part C personnel standards for providers of early intervention services, and technical assistance to support programs in the provision of early intervention and preschool special education services to infants, toddlers, preschool-age, and kindergarten-age children with disabilities and their families.  This position oversees the implementation of statewide technical assistance to local education agencies and public agencies on the implementation of evidence-based and family centered practices in Natural Environments and Least Restrictive Environments (NE/LRE); development of standards based functional Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) outcomes and Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals leading to improved child outcomes for children with disabilities, Birth through Kindergarten, and a narrowing of the school readiness performance gap with typically developing peers; implementation of data-informed decision making processes for State and local program improvement; and collaboration with other divisions on activities addressing school readiness for young children with developmental delays and disabilities, including the development of optimal natural environments and least restrictive learning environments in early intervention, early care, and education.   

This position is responsible for specialized outreach to State Agency partners, local Infants and Toddlers Program (LITP) directors, special education Preschool Coordinators, and the State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC).

Provide leadership and direction for the Section and within the Branch and Division for administration of the IDEA, Part C:

·  Coordinate develop and submit the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP).

·  Oversee the Consolidated Local Implementation Grant (CLIG) process and funding distribution to local programs.

·  Oversee the MITP Personnel Standards process.

·  Plan with the Section Chief for Monitoring and Accountability to develop and maintain mechanisms for evaluating and reporting on State and local programs through the use of available data.

·  Participate in the analysis of data from the Online IFSP Database System and other sources to measure current status of State and local programs and progress towards meeting the identified State Performance Plan and Local Improvement Plan indicators.

·  Collaborate with Branch and Division staff to facilitate an integrated approach to early intervention and special education monitoring and improvement planning.

·  Recommend and formulate COMAR amendments and other legislative and policy documents to ensure compliance with federal requirements and implementation of evidence-based practices throughout the Statewide early intervention system.

·  Develop public awareness materials related to early intervention services in Maryland.

·  Monitor national, State, and local issues and concerns related to early intervention and early childhood; participate in activities to address current and future system needs.

·  Develop and maintain State Interagency Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and coordinate interagency initiatives to support infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

·  Monitor national, State, and local issues and concerns related to early intervention and early childhood; participate in activities to address current and future system needs.

·  Develop and maintain State Interagency Agreements and MOUs and coordinate interagency initiatives to support infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

·  Participate in grant application development, reviews, and monitoring.

·  Facilitate stakeholder groups related to the development of policies and procedures for early intervention service delivery in Maryland.

·  In collaboration with the Policy and Accountability Branch, coordinate data collection, target setting and reporting for the Part C State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR).

Provide leadership and direction for the Section and within the Branch and Division for administration of the IDEA, Part B Preschool Grant:

·   Coordinate with other Section, Branch and Division staff, the design, organization, and implementation of a Birth through Kindergarten early childhood intervention and education systems of services.

·   Coordinate, with other Division and Department staff, the implementation of local data collection and reporting on the annual statewide kindergarten readiness administration.

·   Implement a statewide system of accountability for preschool special education child outcomes, including related professional development and technical assistance.

·   In collaboration with the Policy and Accountability Branch, coordinate data collection, target setting and reporting for preschool specific and related indicators in the Part B SPP and APR.

·   Participate as a team member to implement an evidence-based decision-making model to identify universal and/or targeted technical assistance and programmatic support for local program improvement.

Supervise staff responsible for the provision of programmatic technical assistance for program improvement:

·  Identification/development and dissemination of evidence-based early intervention and education models and practices for children Birth through Kindergarten receiving services under an IFSP or IEP service delivery model.

·  Identification/development and dissemination of information on school readiness expectations to families of children receiving services under an IFSP or IEP service delivery model.

·  Provision of technical assistance and programmatic support to improve results for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities.

·  Implementation of joint Part C/Part B State policies and procedures for early childhood transition.

·  Participation of young children with disabilities in typical early childhood programs and settings.

·  Identification and dissemination of evidence-based, family centered best practices. Coordination of professional development for Birth through Kindergarten personnel, including joint planning for Birth through 21 statewide teleconferences, webinars and face-to-face professional learning and leadership conferences.

·  Coordination of, with other Division staff, grant management, review, technical assistance and reporting related to Part C and Part B discretionary grants and projects.

·  Collaboration across the Division with Birth through Kindergarten staff to identify, develop and disseminate both in print and online (i.e., Maryland Learning Links) evidence-based early intervention and education models and practices for preschool children receiving services under an IFSP or IEP service delivery model.

·  Develop and/or revise Division technical assistance bulletins to support local programs providing services to infants, toddlers and young children, Birth to Kindergarten.

EXPERIENCE: Four (4) years of professional administrative experience in or affiliated with special education or early intervention.

Notes

1.    Candidates may substitute two additional years of experience directly related to the position option for the required education.

2.    Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree at an accredited college or university in a field related to the position for one year of the required experience.

3.    The required field of education and experience are unique for each option and are established by MSOE in accordance with Education Article, Section 2-104 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The specific education and experience qualifications for each position are on record in the Office of Human Resources, Maryland State Department of Education.

4.    Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Education Program classifications or Education Program specialty codes in the Education field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

It is preferred that applicants complete the MD State Government online application for employment. The application must clearly demonstrate that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position.

If the applicant is unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and be faxed to 410-333-8950 or mailed to MSDE Office of Human Resources, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application, if you are unable to apply online.

All application materials must be received in our office by the closing date. Postmarks will not be accepted. Applications must be complete to be considered including all related job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume. Additional required materials may be uploaded with the online application, submitted to the fax number, or mailed to the address listed.

Inquiries can be made to 410-767-0019, TDD 410-333-3045. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities.

If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.