Specialist, Special Education

DPS•Denver, CO

19h

About The Position

The Special Education Specialist works to improve student achievement by providing individualized support to schools, leading professional learning communities for teacher and school leaders, designing and facilitating district professional learning for teachers, and partnering with Directors of Schools. The role supports effective specialized instruction while advancing the District’s vision for Culturally Responsive Education (CRE), and advises schools on legal requirements related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Specialist plans and facilitates professional development and coaching for schools, supports school teams in managing special education services and meeting IDEA expectations, and partners with district teams to develop professional learning tied to district priorities and measurable student outcomes. The position also models culturally sustaining teaching practices, analyzes assessment data and classroom observations to inform school support, contributes to curriculum adoption and implementation, and collaborates with the multilingual education team. The role requires travel to sites throughout the District and a permanent home address in Colorado while employed. Applicants must be able to meet the position’s physical demands, with or without accommodations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or a related field.
At least four years of teaching experience in Special Education or a relevant subject area.
At least two years of experience coaching other teachers.
Special Education Teacher or Related Services License with the Colorado Department of Education.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Effective time-management and organizational skills.
Skill in providing professional development and coaching for adult learners.
Effective communication skills and strong attention to detail.
Ability to handle multiple demands and competing deadlines, work collaboratively on a team, and adapt to variety, changing expectations, and a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of effective specialized instruction.
Ability to travel to sites throughout the District.
Understanding of IDEA and current laws and court decisions related to special education.
Valid driver’s license, appropriate insurance, and a clean driving record for the past three years.
Commitment to racial and educational excellence and dismantling systems of oppression and inequity, and to supporting all students’ access to high-quality education and feeling seen and heard.
Permanent home address in Colorado while working for the District.
Ability, with or without accommodations, to meet the physical demands of the position.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Special Education or a related field.
Director of Special Education license.

Responsibilities

Plan and facilitate school professional development on effective specialized instruction and inclusion.
Coach and advise school staff on curricular materials to support best first instruction and standards-aligned specialized instruction.
Consult with, support, and direct schools and special education teams in meeting school-level IDEA expectations and managing special education services in support of students’ academic growth.
Elevate school-level concerns and raise awareness of potential IDEA implementation issues that could create legal risks.
Partner with the academics team to develop and facilitate professional learning for the District and school teams, aligned with measurable student outcomes and district priorities.
Facilitate learning cycles across schools, including collaboratively setting learning goals, conducting observations, and coaching participants.
Model culturally sustaining practices for teacher leaders, including unit- and lesson-level instructional planning, data meetings, and feedback conversations.
Analyze district local assessment data and classroom observations to inform school support.
Collaborate with a team to achieve actionable, observable student-level results and contribute to a strong team culture.
Partner with the multilingual education team to develop professional learning and coaching opportunities on best practices for supporting multilingual learners.
Support district curriculum adoption and implementation.
Perform other duties as assigned.