Director of Specialized Services

YouthBuild Philly • Philadelphia, PA

7d • $90,000 - $105,000

About The Position

The Director of Specialized Services leads YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School’s Specialized Services Department across its RISE and FLEX programs, establishing a shared vision, strategic priorities, and consistent special education compliance practices. The role reports to the Principal/Head of School, supervises special education staff and contracted providers, directly supervises the FLEX Manager of Special Education, and coordinates staff assignments across academic classrooms, vocational settings, and resource rooms.

The Director supports inclusive learning and student progress through coaching, feedback, professional development, and collaboration with school leaders and instructors. The role oversees the timely implementation of IEPs, evaluations and reevaluations, related services, assistive technology, individualized programming, family engagement, and progress monitoring, including services delivered off-site. The Director serves as the LEA Representative at IEP and manifestation determination meetings, monitors documentation and mandated timelines, coordinates discipline safeguards with the Director of Culture, and serves as the school’s liaison to the Bureau of Special Education. The position also plans and manages intersession programming.

Requirements

• Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in Special Education K-12.
• Demonstrated expertise in special education compliance, including IEP development and implementation, evaluations and reevaluations, mandated timelines, procedural safeguards, and discipline protections.
• Proven ability to lead special education services across multiple programs, supervise staff and contracted providers, and coordinate related services to meet students’ individualized needs.
• Strong knowledge of specially designed instruction, inclusive practices, assistive technology, and transition planning for graduation, postsecondary education, employment, and independent living.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with students, families, school leaders, and external agencies to resolve concerns, remove barriers, and ensure equitable access to services.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Instructional leadership experience developing teachers’ instructional practices through coaching, feedback, and evaluation with an impact on student learning.

Nice To Haves

• Successful special education educator with 10 years of school-based experience, including a minimum of 5 years as a school leader; highly preferred.
• Supervisor of Special Education Pennsylvania Certificate; preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Specialized Services Department and establish a shared vision, strategic priorities, and consistent special education compliance practices across the RISE and FLEX programs.
• Oversee special education services, compliance, and contracted providers across both programs, including directly supervising the FLEX Manager of Special Education.
• Coordinate and schedule special education staff assignments in academic classrooms, vocational settings, and supplemental resource rooms.
• Coach and provide feedback to special education teaching staff and offer professional development to strengthen instructional practices.
• Promote collaboration and continuous improvement within the special education department.
• Coordinate with the Directors of Academics and Workforce to develop academic teachers and workforce instructors in special education instructional practices.
• Lead special education business with the School’s Finance, Operations, and Compliance teams, including staff timesheets and incentives.
• Receive staff call-outs, approve time off, and review bi-weekly timesheets submitted by special education teachers and the Behavior Specialist.
• Manage related services and coordinate special education services for students in extraordinary circumstances, including off-site instruction.
• Supervise special education teachers’ IDEA compliance work, including document review, assistive technology needs, individualized programming, family engagement, and progress monitoring.
• Serve as the LEA Representative and chair at IEP meetings, including manifestation determination meetings.
• Write permissions to evaluate or reevaluate, obtain signatures, and initiate evaluations and reevaluations according to compliance timelines.
• Coordinate testing with contracted school psychologists for evaluation and reevaluation reports and required related-services assessments.
• Monitor special education document processing for compliance with mandated timelines.
• Coordinate with the Director of Culture to ensure disciplinary processes under the Procedural Safeguards Notice and Student Code of Conduct are followed for students receiving special education.
• Serve as the school’s liaison to the Bureau of Special Education Advisor and partner with the Chief of Staff and Strategy in preparing for cyclical monitoring.
• Plan, coordinate, and manage intersession programming, including implementation, resource allocation, and alignment with student graduation goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School/Principal.

Benefits

• Generous time off.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) savings plan with an employer match.
• Employer-paid parental leave, life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
• Educational assistance and professional development opportunities.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Strong community support and involvement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed