Special Education Administrator

Soleil Academy • Lynwood, CA

2d • $90,000 - $136,133 • Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Administrator is a key member of the school’s instructional leadership team and leads Special Education strategy and implementation across grades TK–5. This role is responsible for designing, overseeing, and improving programs that support students with diverse learning needs. As an instructional leader and decision-maker, the Administrator collaborates with site leadership, the Special Education Department, and teachers to ensure high-quality instruction, compliance with IEPs, and strong student outcomes. They oversee the identification, placement, and support of students, while building systems and staff capacity to meet diverse needs. The Administrator also monitors special education data to inform decisions and ensure program effectiveness, working under the direction of the school site principal to advance an inclusive and equitable vision for all students.

Requirements

• DOJ/FBI Fingerprint Clearance
• Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field
• Valid California Education Specialist Credential
• Valid California Administrative Services Credential
• Three (3) or more years of experience serving students with disabilities
• Demonstrated success improving scholar achievement and outcomes
• One (1) or more years of experience coaching, supervising, evaluating, or developing instructional staff (e.g., Department Chair, Mentor Teacher, Instructional Coach, or similar leadership role)
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working in an urban educational setting with a history of significant scholar growth and achievement
• Experience managing special education compliance, IEP development, and service delivery
• Experience utilizing SEIS and other special education data management systems
• Strong commitment to Soleil Academy's mission and vision
• Deep knowledge of federal and California special education laws, regulations, compliance requirements, and best practices
• Ability to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Ability to analyze assessment, achievement, compliance, and programmatic data to drive decision-making and continuous improvement
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with scholars, families, staff, service providers, and community partners
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while effectively leading and collaborating within a team environment
• Flexibility, adaptability, and a growth mindset
• Openness to feedback and commitment to continuous professional growth
• Willingness to assume responsibility for scholar outcomes and program effectiveness

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with students with disabilities in a TK–5 educational setting
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Experience with CALPADS reporting, Special Education compliance monitoring, SMAA, and LEA Medi-Cal Billing Option Program (BOP) processes

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop knowledge of current local, CA State, and Federal Special Education laws, regulations, policies, and best practices
• Design and lead school-wide professional development on inclusive practices, differentiation, and special education compliance
• Conduct classroom observations and provide actionable feedback to teachers serving students with IEPs
• Analyze multiple sources of data including informal and formal assessments to drive instruction and IEP development
• Case Manage, coordinate and facilitate IEP meetings in a collaborative and professional manner and translate meetings when necessary
• Support general education teachers and administrators in the implementation of appropriate strategies and accommodations to meet the needs of students with IEPs
• Create and maintain Special Education documentation as required by federal, state, district, and CMO regulations
• Develop and assist with appropriate behavior management techniques for students with special needs
• Manage & develop Resource Specialists (education specialists), BII and special education aides
• The Special Education Administrator directly manages a portion of the school’s caseload and oversees the remaining caseload by supervising Education Specialists in the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), ensuring compliance with federal, state, and district standards.
• Ensure IEP timeline compliance of caseload
• Manage relationships with outside vendors to ensure students receive all related services according to student IEPs. (i.e. Occupational Therapy, Language and Speech, etc.)
• Manage relationships with outside vendors to ensure assessments are completed according to legal timelines and reports are written and presented in a legally defensible manner (i.e. Psychologists, SLPs, School Nurses, etc)
• Develop positive relationships with parents and families in order to engage them in meaningful participation throughout the IEP process and keep them updated on student progress
• Provide consultation support and resources for the Response to intervention (RTI) and Student Success Team (SST) process
• Manage and/or assist with the development of 504 plans at the assigned site
• Develop and lead the school’s vision for inclusive education and special education programming; Build systems that ensure strong Tier 1 instruction.
• Oversee Special Education Data Systems
• Analyze achievement data to identify special education programs and service needs.
• Manage, maintain, and monitor compliance in the school's IEP caseload in the district’s data management program (i.e. SEIS) and update the district's Student Information System (i.e. Powerschool) accordingly. Track and monitor grades, and other achievement data for students in the special education program.
• Coordinate Special Education-related End-of-Year (EOY) CALPADS reporting requirements, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and timely review of Special Education data submitted in collaboration with Operations and back-office personnel.
• Serve as the Special Education lead for the School-Based Medi-Cal Administrative Activities (SMAA) Program by ensuring Random Moment Time Study (RMTS) participants complete required surveys within established timelines, maintaining accurate Time Survey Participant (TSP) lists, and completing all required certifications and compliance activities within program deadlines.
• Support the Local Educational Agency (LEA) Medi-Cal Billing Option Program (BOP) by training and monitoring Special Education staff on documentation requirements, ensuring service logs and provider documentation are completed accurately and timely within SEIS, and coordinating with contracted billing vendors to support reimbursement claims, audits, and compliance requirements.
• Monitor Special Education documentation and service records to ensure compliance with Medi-Cal reimbursement requirements and maximize eligible funding opportunities for the School.
• Contribute to the School Community
• Seek opportunities, both individually and through school-based initiatives, to build strong and collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, families, and scholars.
• Actively engage in Soleil and externally provided professional development.
• Prepare for and attend up to five (5) evening scholar, parent, or other school events that do not exceed more than three (3) hours per event, including Report Card Nights, Open Houses, Scholar Exhibitions, etc.
• Serve actively on at least one (1) School-established action committee during the school year.
• Attend all faculty and professional development meetings.
• Maintain consistent and meaningful communication with parents.
• Uphold Soleil Educational Philosophy and Standards of Excellence
• Support Soleil’s aspiration to prepare all scholars to have the foundation necessary for college success.
• Support with classroom discipline aligned to the school-wide behavior management policy and keep documentation of all interventions taken to manage scholar behavior.
• Adhere to policies and procedures as outlined in the Soleil Employee Handbook.
• Ensure timely and high-quality submission of school requirements such as intellectual preparation, unit plans, and re-teaching plans.
• Exhibit a continuous improvement mindset while striving to exemplify Soleil’s commitment to the school community.
• Other duties/projects as assigned by a school administrator

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plan options with 100% employer-paid coverage for employees and dependents, based on plan selection.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level