Assistant Director of Exceptional Student Services

AMS Schools•Tempe, AZ

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

AMS Impact Group is seeking a collaborative and experienced Assistant Director of Exceptional Student Services (ESS) to support the implementation, compliance, and continuous improvement of special education services across our network of high-performing charter schools. Reporting to the Director of Exceptional Student Services, the Assistant Director serves as a key leader within the ESS Department by overseeing regional ESS operations, supervising Regional Coordinators, leading professional development initiatives, monitoring compliance with federal and state regulations, and partnering with campus leadership to ensure exceptional services are delivered to all eligible scholars. The ideal candidate is an experienced special education leader with a strong knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, Arizona special education requirements, and instructional best practices. This individual is passionate about coaching others, building systems, and ensuring equitable educational opportunities for every scholar.

Requirements

Master's degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field required.
Valid Arizona Special Education teaching certificate required.
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in special education.
Minimum of three (3) years of leadership experience, such as Special Education Coordinator, Lead Case Manager, Program Specialist, Assistant Director, or similar role.
Demonstrated experience supporting IDEA compliance, evaluations, IEP development, and program implementation.
Comprehensive knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, and Arizona special education regulations.
Strong understanding of compliance monitoring, audits, and regulatory reporting.
Experience leading professional development and coaching adult learners.
Excellent leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
Ability to analyze compliance data and develop improvement plans.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with educators, families, and community partners.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Arizona Administrator Certificate or eligibility to obtain one.
Experience supporting multiple schools or districts.
Experience working within a charter school network.
Knowledge of ADE monitoring systems and reporting requirements.
Experience with SharePoint, IEP management systems, and compliance tracking platforms.

Responsibilities

ESS Program Leadership: Support the day-to-day operations of the Exceptional Student Services Department across the AMS network. Supervise and coach ESS Regional Coordinators to ensure high-quality implementation of special education programs. Provide guidance on complex special education cases, eligibility determinations, evaluations, and IEP development. Serve as the acting ESS Director as assigned, ensuring continuity of departmental operations. Partner with the Director to develop and implement department goals, initiatives, and continuous improvement strategies.
Compliance & Regulatory Oversight: Monitor compliance with IDEA, Section 504, Arizona Department of Education regulations, and network policies. Oversee systems for monitoring evaluation timelines, annual reviews, reevaluations, and other required compliance activities. Conduct compliance audits and quality assurance reviews of student records and documentation. Coordinate responses to state monitoring activities, complaints, mediations, independent educational evaluations (IEEs), and corrective action plans. Develop and implement processes that strengthen compliance, accountability, and program effectiveness.
Professional Development & Staff Coaching: Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of ESS professional development across the network. Develop training materials and resources that strengthen instructional practices and regulatory compliance. Provide coaching and ongoing support to ESS Regional Coordinators, Case Managers, and campus teams. Facilitate regular leadership meetings and develop agendas that promote collaboration and continuous learning. Support onboarding and mentoring of new ESS staff members.
Campus Partnership & Student Support: Partner with campus administrators to ensure consistent implementation of ESS services. Attend IEP, evaluation, manifestation determination, and other student support meetings as needed. Provide consultation regarding complex student cases and parent concerns. Build collaborative relationships with school leaders, families, and outside agencies to support scholar success.
Operational Excellence: Support recruitment, interviewing, and selection of ESS staff, including teachers, speech-language pathologists, and support personnel. Develop and maintain departmental procedures that improve efficiency and consistency. Coordinate logistics for in-person professional development, meetings, and network initiatives. Travel to campuses throughout the AMS network to provide coaching, monitoring, training, and operational support. Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Exceptional Student Services.