Deputy Chief, Special Education and Systems

JOB SUMMARY

The Deputy Chief of Special Education and Systems sets the vision and oversees outcomes for all Special Education programming and services across Houston ISD – ensuring every student receives the highest quality of instruction every single day. In addition, this Deputy Chief leads teams that build data and reporting systems, ensuring accuracy and fidelity of reporting for evaluation monitoring and Federal and State compliance, including PEIMS. As a data-driven leader who creates systems that serve HISD’s 170,000+ students and 10,000+ teachers, this Deputy Chief is an innovative, student outcomes-focused leader at the forefront of HISD’s next phase of transformation.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1.         Strategic Vision for Impact: Provide sustained leadership, guidance, and support to assigned teams, ensuring alignment with HISD’s vision for educational transformation. Set and drive towards strategic vision and metrics that lead to transformational student outcomes.
2.         Lead the Development of Programming & Systems: Oversee the design, implementation, adaptation, and evaluation of Special Education programs and related systems, ensuring alignment with best instructional practices and future-ready learning goals.
3.        Quality of Instruction: Envision and ensure the highest quality of instruction is implemented across all campuses in HISD for students in every setting in accordance with their IEP goals.
4.         Develop & Empower Talent: Lead, mentor, and supervise assigned staff, fostering a high-performance culture built on continuous improvement, accountability, and results-driven leadership.
5.         Innovate & Elevate: Monitor and assess the effectiveness of teacher and student outcomes, making data-driven recommendations to enhance student outcomes and instructional practices.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

6.         Data-Driven Excellence: Build strategic, user-friendly systems to track progress and ensure fidelity of implementation and compliance. Provide insights based on real-time feedback and performance data to drive strategic decisions and continuous improvement.
7.         Instructional Expertise: As a thought leader and instructional expert, drive excellence, alignment, and consistency in best instructional practices, leadership actions, and operational systems within the division and across other HISD departments and school sites.
8.         Cross-Functional Leadership: Work closely with various departments and teams, including finance, human resources, IT, the Chief of Staff office, the Schools Office, and others to ensure instructional and operational excellence within all relevant processes and initiatives.
9.         Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication: Collaborate with district leadership, principals, and other stakeholders to identify and address instructional and operational needs and challenges. Facilitate effective communication and coordination between central office departments, community, and school sites.
10.         Policy Analysis and Implementation: Stay updated with federal, state, and local education policies, legislation, and regulations. Analyze and interpret policy changes and work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to implement necessary adjustments.
11.         Champion HISD’s Vision: Serve as a key advocate and leader in HISD’s transformational work, ensuring that Special Education and System Fidelity and Reporting teams’ work reflect the district’s bold commitment to narrowing achievement gaps and preparing students for the future. 
12.         Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree
Master’s Degree preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

5 to 7 years

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Software
Microsoft Office
Certifications/Licensure
N/A 
Equipment
Office equipment (e.g., computer, copier)

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Directs two or more levels of management in the development, deployment and ongoing management of key initiatives covering multiple major disciplines with direct accountability for results in terms of effectiveness, costs, methods, and employees. Establishes operational objectives and assignments for multiple disciplines/functional areas and possibly departments. Evaluates recommendations of others, deciding on course of action in ambiguous situations, and o