Special Education Specialist
About The Position
The Special Education Specialist provides direct, school-facing support to ensure strong implementation of special education programming, instructional practices, and compliance systems across a portfolio of schools. This role works closely with the Associate Director of Special Education to support schools through coaching, problem-solving, implementation support, and day-to-day follow-through. The Specialist succeeds when schools experience responsive, consistent support that strengthens execution, improves coordination, and helps ensure students with disabilities receive high-quality, aligned services and instruction. You should apply if you are a highly organized and student-centered educator or support professional who enjoys working closely with schools to strengthen implementation, solve problems, and support teachers and leaders in real time. You are responsive, collaborative, and comfortable balancing compliance, instructional support, and day-to-day operational follow-through. You thrive in school environments, build strong relationships quickly, and are energized by helping turn systems and expectations into strong day-to-day practice for students with disabilities.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning is required
- Valid California credential for Preliminary or Clear Education Specialist (Mild/Moderate with Autism Authorization, Moderate/Severe, Mild to Moderate Support Needs or Extensive Support Needs) credential
- Minimum of 4 years of highly effective teaching and case management experience demonstrating a strong track record of student performance gains for with students with special needs
- Leadership and coaching experience required (e.g. providing instructional coaching, hiring, and directly managing and evaluating adults)
- Knowledge of LAUSD special education policy and Welligent preferred
- Strong relationship-building and coaching skills with ability to support teachers and school-based staff
- Understanding of special education instructional practices, IEP implementation, and compliance systems
- Ability to balance responsiveness, organization, and follow-through across multiple schools and priorities
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to proactively identify and address implementation challenges
- Ability to work collaboratively across school, portfolio, and regional teams to support coherent implementation
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree with emphasis in special education highly preferred
Responsibilities
- Provide direct support to school-based SPED Team Chairs, Resource & Inclusion Teachers, SDP teachers, and school leaders across a portfolio of schools
- Support implementation of instructional practices, IEP systems, accommodations, and service delivery expectations
- Assist schools in addressing day-to-day operational and student support challenges
- Maintain consistent presence in schools to build relationships and support implementation quality
- Support schools in implementing inclusion-focused instructional models and aligned service delivery practices
- Reinforce organizational expectations around IEP quality, instructional alignment, and student support coordination
- Assist with rollout of SPED tools, resources, systems, and initiatives across schools
- Support onboarding and training efforts for school-based SPED staff
- Support monitoring of compliance timelines, documentation, service delivery, and implementation expectations
- Assist schools in maintaining organized and compliant SPED systems
- Identify implementation concerns and escalate issues to the Associate Director as needed
- Support follow-up and action planning connected to identified compliance or instructional concerns
- Partner with portfolio and regional team members to ensure coordinated support across schools
- Support communication and follow-through between schools and the regional SPED team
- Assist with data collection, progress monitoring, and implementation tracking connected to portfolio priorities
- Contribute to ongoing problem solving and continuous improvement efforts across the portfolio
Benefits
- 100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50% of the cost
- Employer-paid life insurance
- 401(k) plan with up to 6% match by KIPP SoCal
- Voluntary Benefits (Pet Insurance, Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
- Generous time off program includes 22 holidays, sick leave and vacation
- Other great benefits (Flexible spending account, EAP, etc.)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
