Senior EC/ESS Specialist
About The Position
The Senior EC/ESS Specialist leads the Exceptional Student Services (ESS) program, including Special Education/Exceptional Children, Section 504, English Learners, and Counseling, at the Bonnie Cone academies in North Carolina. The role supports and develops academy leaders responsible for these programs while advancing short- and long-term ESS program priorities in collaboration with the National Accessibility Team, academy stakeholders, and Great Hearts Executive Directors. The specialist also responds to academy and charter management organization needs related to services for students served by these programs. The role includes advising on program design and compliance, supporting recruitment and professional development, assisting with escalated cases and staffing transitions, and conducting program reviews. The position is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and requires local travel within North Carolina to the Bonnie Cone academies and potentially to training and professional development opportunities. Employment is contingent on successful completion of required criminal history and fingerprint checks.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Arts degree or higher.
- Five years of experience leading a special education/exceptional children program in a North Carolina public school; charter school experience is preferred.
- Must complete a criminal history background check, including state and FBI fingerprint-based checks.
- Ability to perform physical activities including standing, sitting, repetitive hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching; may need to move or position equipment weighing up to approximately 15 pounds.
- Local travel within North Carolina is required.
Nice To Haves
- Experience leading a special education/exceptional children program in a charter school.
- Track record of leading with a servant’s heart and demonstrating team-player behaviors.
- Strong commitment to the Great Hearts purpose and mission.
- High emotional intelligence.
- Relationship-building skills emphasizing trust and collaboration.
- Conflict resolution and mediation skills.
- Organized, systems-oriented approach.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop academy program leaders at the Bonnie Cone academies within Great Hearts’ philosophy of service to all students.
- Assist the Bonnie Cone academies with recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding ESS faculty.
- Direct regional professional development on topics related to serving all students; coach academy program leaders and provide training to academy faculty and staff as needed.
- Stay informed about changes in North Carolina disability law and best practices, and advise on adapting and improving ESS programs in collaboration with the National Accessibility Team.
- Ensure academy compliance with state and federal laws concerning student services, data collection, confidentiality, and reporting for Special Education/Exceptional Children, Section 504, English Learners, and Counseling programs.
- Assist academies in resolving informal and formal parent or community complaints.
- Support an academy through staffing transitions as needed.
- Initiate and complete special projects, such as curriculum deployment, guidance documents, and research projects.
- Collect and analyze data about academy and student performance and other trends to review and improve programs.
- Monitor and respond to state and national trends, opportunities, and threats affecting program implementation.
- Travel locally within North Carolina to the Bonnie Cone academies and potentially for training and professional development opportunities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
