Special Education Program Manager

Chileda Institute Inc.•La Crosse, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Principal, 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 role is responsible for IEP compliance, classroom practices and resources, and internal educational staff oversight, ensuring that each student’s Individualized Education Program is implemented with fidelity and daily activities run safely and effectively. The position directly supervises the Education Shift Manager, Floating Teacher, and Classroom Teachers, and works in close partnership with the Principal to provide a coordinated, compliant, and student-centered educational program. The role coordinates the development, implementation, and monitoring of IEPs; tracks compliance timelines and reporting; supports teachers and classroom programming; coordinates educational resources and schedules; and oversees the Learning Center’s daily operations and safety. It also provides staff supervision and training, reviews incident reports, and collaborates with behavior services, residential teams, agency administrators, families, school districts, and other stakeholders. The position generally works 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional hours may be required. It is an exempt, benefited position averaging a minimum of 40 hours per week. Work is primarily in an office, with time in classrooms and other shared areas across the Chileda campus. The role involves frequent physical interaction with students, including self-care, behavioral interventions, educational and recreational programming, and Nonviolent Physical Crisis Intervention procedures.

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 implementation of Nonviolent Physical Crisis Intervention procedures such as blocking, grab releases, physical transport, and physical restraint.
Ability to communicate and exchange information with coworkers by talking and hearing, and to perform essential functions without direct risk of harm to self or others.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Coordinate development, implementation, and monitoring of IEPs to ensure compliance with IDEA, Wisconsin special education law, and applicable school district requirements.
Track IEP timelines, annual review dates, and quarterly progress reporting, and communicate upcoming meetings and 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 reporting is completed accurately and submitted to school districts and agencies on time.
Stay current on special education law and IEP best practices and apply updated knowledge to internal processes and staff training.
Support classroom teachers in implementing evidence-based instructional practices aligned with student IEP goals and learning needs.
Coordinate collaboration between teachers and behavior services to create classroom environments that support educational and behavioral goals.
Coordinate access to 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 scheduling 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 program staff coverage.
Develop and maintain education department operating procedures with the Principal.
Oversee Learning Center daily operations and safety, including smooth activities, staffing coverage, and a safe and orderly building environment.
Work 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 and coordinate responses to scheduling changes, coverage needs, and student or staff concerns.
Directly supervise the Education Shift Manager, Floating Teacher, and Classroom Teachers, including operational direction, performance feedback, coverage, and scheduling.
Share formal supervision of Classroom Teachers with the Principal.
Ensure staff training and completion of Incident Reports, Serious Incident Reports, and other required documents; review Incident Reports daily and Serious Incident Reports as needed.
Monitor implementation of student care and treatment and provide feedback under Chileda’s Performance Counseling Procedure as needed.
Conduct bi-weekly department meetings and promote collaboration with behavior specialists, case managers, administration, and other Chileda staff.
Serve as backup for the Education Shift Manager as needed.
Coordinate with cross-departmental teams to support effective supervision, consistent systems, and high-quality student care.
Partner with Residential Managers to align services and strengthen programming.
Work with agency administrators to improve and implement actions affecting program delivery and serve as an educational representative on agency committees as appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned.