Director of Special Education and Wellness (SY 2026-27)

Leadership Public Schools•Oakland, CA

15d

About The Position

The Director of Special Education and Wellness will evaluate the needs of special education students within the network and support the instructional programs in meeting the students’ education goals by providing coordination and management of all special education programs and services in the network. They will recommend the development and/or expansion of services and programs, recommend policies, planning, implementing and working with staff; serving as a resource of information to ensure that procedures are appropriate in relation to policies required by state and federal regulatory requirements to ensure the academic and socio-emotional success of our students.

Requirements

Any combination equivalent to: a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
Minimum of 5 years direct development of IEPs and implementation
5 years administrative/supervisory experience involving special education and instructional programming,
Work experience in a school district or charter management organization required
Valid California Education Specialist credential with English Learner authorization
Valid California Administrative Services credential
Employment eligibility that may include fingerprints, tuberculosis and/or other employment clearance
Valid California Drivers’ License
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of organization, management, budget preparation, expenditure control, personnel administration, supervision and training
Special education law and regulations
Current special education issues, trends, best practices, and research
Behavior management
Special education instructional programs, methods, and practices that accelerate student learning and achievement
Leadership development practices and effective supervision and performance evaluation
California standards, curriculum frameworks and current research-based practices and trends as they relate to work scope
Culturally-responsive pedagogy
Adult learning principles and change management theory
Effective professional development practices, including data-based inquiry
Skills and Ability to: Support, monitor and evaluate special education instructional program effectiveness
Maintain accurate records
Use, and analyze data to develop action plans
Implement collaborative and team building processes
Plan, implement, and monitor high-leverage professional development
Facilitate dissent and conduct difficult and constructive conversations effectively
Provide timely and actionable feedback, including officially evaluating staff performance
Provoke, inspire and motivate people to make progress toward goals
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Work effectively across diverse communities
Manage various projects and/or demands demonstrating flexibility and effective time-management skills
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
Determine appropriate action within clearly defined guidelines
Work independently with little direction
Maintain records and prepare reports
Plan and organize work meet schedules and timelines
Provoke, inspire and motivate others to achieve goals
Work effectively across diverse communities
Manage various projects and/or demands demonstrating flexibility and effective time-management skills

Responsibilities

Special Education Establish and communicate a philosophy of least restrictive environment for serving special education students
Guide the development and implementation of long-range and short-range plans for achieving special education goals and objectives in alignment with the network strategic plan
Develop, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, guidelines to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal special education statues
Monitor the development and implementation of all aspects of the special education program process
Coordinate and facilitate meetings amongst special education and other related staff
Collaborate with Student Success staff to support an integrated special education program
Oversee the Extended School Year (ESY) Program
Collaborate with site administrators and Director of Student Services around student discipline of students with disabilities
Interfaces with local agencies, facilities, or institutions including the El Dorado SELPA; school districts; county offices of education; or private vendors to procure services for students with exceptional needs.
Develops and monitors contracts for outside services
Participate in the recruitment and retention of Special Education staff in collaboration with Human Resources
Supervise and evaluate all daily activities of assigned staff members
Monitors and supports sites in meeting the needs of special education students
Plan, implement and facilitate professional development for school staff both certificated and classified employees assigned the responsibility of delivering and overseeing the special education services
Provide coaching to staff as assigned
Facilitate and/or participate in all matters of dispute resolution with the California Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights pertaining to students with disabilities; manage mediation and due process procedures.
Develop, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, guidelines to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal Section 504 requirements
Provide accurate and timely data to the California Department of Education’s State Performance Plan for evaluating outcomes for students with disabilities
Develop, monitor, supervise and manage all aspects of the annual budgets for special education
Develops or oversees and submits all required state, federal and SELPA reports
Ensures special education data is kept up to date in student information systems
Maintain accurate database and files of former and current students served in special education
Manage and maintain inventory of all special education materials and supplies
Monitor assessment plans in conjunction with caregivers and staff
Interprets assessment results to ensure the proper placement and IEP development
Provides required training, legal compliance, and support to educational specialists as needed in the IEP process and forms
Oversee Education Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) for students with IEPs
Oversee all Non-Public Schools (NPS) placements and related services
Participates in IEPs as necessary
Participates in site and network meetings and committee as assigned
Provides program updates as assigned
Wellness Program Create opportunities for collaboration between Network and site Special Education and Wellness Teams
Oversee the coordination of mental health services (ERMHS) to students with IEPs
Mobilize & coordinate family, school, and community resources to support student learning and wellness
Work with Wellness Counselors to collaboratively set and monitor progress toward goals
Oversee the coordination, development, and provision of a range of therapeutic mental health services and programs responsive to students’ education-related needs and goals
Manage and oversee the clinical in providing clinical supervision to LPS mental health services providers
In collaboration with the clinical supervisor, organize and co-facilitate network-wide professional development for mental health providers 5-6 times/year
Oversee the implementation of weekly site team meeting(s) and professional development opportunities for Wellness Team
Oversee the document services and monitor student growth and progress utilizing provided data tools and practices
Monitor and collaborates with school leaders and teams to continually improve support for students
Maintain external relationships to bring services to the students
Other Duties Perform related duties as assigned