Manager, Special Education

Position Overview

The Manager, Special Education provides leadership in the development and implementation of the special education program and services for students at Imagine Schools, Riverside County. The Manager is a key part of the schools’ leadership team, reporting directly to the Regional Director.

Performance Responsibilities

• Develops an overall special education program strategy and clear, specific, and ambitious performance measures to build school capacity to ensure the full provision of services for students with special needs.
• Collaborates with school leaders to assess special education instructional needs across the full continuum of services.
• Assists in the development of professional development opportunities to address needs and increase the quality of specially-designed instruction.
• Supports the delivery of effective classroom instruction to ensure students with special needs realize increased academic achievement.
• Assists in implementing state department regulations and in developing special education programs at both ISRC sites.
• Coordinates the activities of the special class placement committee and serves as chair.
• Directs case study services for students including the identification, diagnosis, follow-up, and referral of students with problems related to attendance, mental health, or learning disabilities.
• Recommends placement of individual students with special needs in those educational situations best suited to their requirements.
• Provides or recommends appropriate special services for groups of exceptional students and their families.
• Effectively communicates with families about the special education process including process for referrals, evaluations, annual IEPs/504 plans, and re-evaluations as well as parental rights granted by IDEA.
• Supervises the maintenance of case records on students and the completion of all reports.
• Assists in the development of special programs and curriculum.
• Provides coaching and guidance to site-based special education staff.
• Participates in special consultations and case conferences with psychologists and other student services personnel.
• Implements the development of programs for teachers relating to child behavior and development, and conferences with families.
• Supervises and coordinates activities of school Psychologists.
• Coordinates activities of Speech Therapists.
• Prepares various reports as designated by the Regional Director.
• Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Key Competencies

• Mission aligned - Holds a deep belief that all children can succeed and the level at which a student starts academically does not dictate what they ultimately can achieve. Believes in the power of multilingualism.
• Focus on results - Track record of achieving results; willingness to hold self accountable to results. Ensures systems are in place to create scalable, consistent, high-quality outcomes. Demonstrates strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Expertise in special education services - Deep understanding of both the compliance and instructional aspects of special education services.
• Ability to build strong relationships - Builds and cultivates relationships through a commitment to common goals. Effective listener who seeks to understand the opinions and experiences of others; honest and transparent communicator.

Experience, Education, and Credentials

• Master’s Degree required.
• Valid and appropriate CA Administrative or Supervision Credential required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful, full-time special education classroom teaching experience, or a minimum of five (5) years of successful full-time service as a school psychologist, or a combination of teaching and school psychologist work experience equal to five (5) years.
• Familiarity with RTI and/or MTSS approach to academic and/or behavior support.
• Experience in K-8 education preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish, preferred.
• Valid California Driver License.
• Fingerprint criminal justice clearance.
• Tuberculosis clearance.

Classification

This is a full-time, exempt position based on a full year calendar cycle and supports our two schools in Riverside County (Coachella and Hemet). The Manager, Special Education will work out of one of the two campuses and can expect frequent travel to the other campus.

About Imagine Schools

Imagine Schools is a charter network serving over 27,000 children across 7 states. We believe success means developing character and enriching minds as we graduate students well prepared for college, career, and life.

We believe that students of all races, incomes, and life challenges deserve the best from us. We love each student uniquely and individually. Most importantly, we believe that every student can succeed. Parents come to Imagine Schools to find a better alternative. They seek personalized education that will build upon each child’s strengths and address areas of weakness. At Imagine Schools, we believe that the level at which a student starts academically does not dictate what he or she ultimately can achieve.

Compensation

Imagine Schools offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience as well as a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and California retirement contributions.