Special Education Program Manager

Chileda Institute•La Crosse, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Program Manager manages the day-to-day operations and safety of Chileda's La Crosse Learning Center for individuals with cognitive and behavioral challenges. The position is responsible for IEP compliance, classroom practices and resources, and internal educational staff oversight, ensuring each student's Individualized Education Program is implemented with fidelity and daily activities run safely and effectively. The role directly supervises the Education Shift Manager, Floating Teacher, and Classroom Teachers, and works in close partnership with the Principal to provide a coordinated, compliant, student-centered educational program. The Program Manager coordinates IEP development, implementation, monitoring, compliance reporting, and review meetings; supports teachers with evidence-based instruction and classroom resources; and manages education department scheduling, procedures, and community outing coordination. The position oversees Learning Center operations and safety, provides staff direction and feedback, monitors consistent implementation of student care and treatment, and collaborates with behavior specialists, case managers, residential managers, administrators, and agency committees. This is an exempt, benefited position averaging a minimum of 40 hours per week. General hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional hours possibly required. Work is primarily in an office, with time spent in classrooms and other shared areas throughout the Chileda campus. The role includes frequent physical interaction with students, including self-care, behavioral interventions, educational and recreational programs, and implementation of Nonviolent Physical Crisis Intervention techniques such as blocking, grab releases, physical transport, and physical restraint.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Education, Human Services, or a related field.
At least two years of supervision or teaching experience.
Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
Knowledge of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), special education law, and compliance requirements.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with families, school districts, leaders, and peers.
Ability to obtain a teaching license within two years of hire; a teaching license is not required at hire.
Ability to meet the position's physical demands, including frequent physical interaction with students and implementing Nonviolent Physical Crisis Intervention techniques.
Ability to perform essential functions without direct risk of harm to oneself or others.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.
Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and two years of teaching experience.
Willingness to pursue a master's degree in educational administration.
Current enrollment in a teaching licensure or graduate program.

Responsibilities

Coordinate development, implementation, and monitoring of IEPs to ensure compliance with IDEA, Wisconsin special education law, and school district requirements.
Track IEP timelines, annual reviews, and quarterly progress reporting; communicate upcoming meetings and compliance obligations to the Principal.
Facilitate IEP and quarterly review meetings in the Principal's absence; otherwise support preparation, coordinate team participation, and follow up on action items.
Ensure required compliance reports are accurately completed and submitted to school districts and agencies on time.
Stay current on special education law and IEP best practices and apply updates to processes and staff training.
Support classroom teachers in evidence-based instruction aligned with IEP goals and individual learning needs.
Coordinate collaboration between teachers and behavior services to develop classroom environments supporting educational and behavioral goals.
Coordinate classroom resources, instructional materials, and adaptive equipment.
Provide consultation and technical assistance to classroom teachers, including direction and plans of action to meet student needs.
Manage education department schedules with the Education Shift Manager, including daily classroom schedules, specials, and the annual school calendar.
Assist with planning and facilitating community outings and coordinate appropriate staffing coverage.
Develop and maintain education department operating procedures with the Principal.
Oversee daily Learning Center operations and safety, including activities, staffing coverage, and a safe and orderly building environment.
Coordinate with the site Principal on emergency preparedness and disaster planning, and direct staff and students during emergencies.
Serve as the on-site operational contact during the school day, coordinating responses to schedule changes, coverage needs, and student or staff concerns.
Directly supervise the Education Shift Manager, Floating Teacher, and Classroom Teachers, including operational direction, feedback, coverage, and schedules.
Share formal supervision of Classroom Teachers with the Principal.
Ensure staff training and completion of Incident Reports, Serious Incident Reports, and other required documentation; review Incident Reports daily and Serious Incident Reports as needed.
Monitor employees to ensure student care and treatment are implemented consistently and with fidelity; provide feedback under Chileda's Performance Counseling Procedure as needed.
Conduct bi-weekly department meetings and promote consultation with behavior specialists, case managers, administration, and other staff.
Serve as backup for the Education Shift Manager as needed.
Coordinate with cross-departmental teams and partner with Residential Managers to align services and strengthen programming.
Work with agency administrators on actions affecting program delivery and serve as an educational representative on agency committees as appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned.