To help us achieve our mission, we are seeking a Special Education (SPED) Program Specialist. The Special Education Program Specialist will support the strategic priorities and planning for the special education function across the network in order to maximize the achievement and success of all of our scholars. The SPED Program Specialist will support all special education activities, including maintaining knowledge of current Special Education laws, regulations, and best practices, developing leaders and staff, and supporting school sites as administrative designee for IEP meetings.
Manage SWD Data (Welligent, SIS, CALPADs) - 25%
- Conduct incoming students/Summer Welligent Search
- Provide weekly updates to schools on IEP compliance and service provision
- Support data and analysis during oversight visits
- Maintain systems across the schools to ensure strong special education compliance
- Conduct data audits on various platforms to provide trend reports and determine appropriate response as needed
- Lead school sites through LAUSD DVR and CA Department of Education Small LEA special education compliance monitoring
- Verify accuracy of testing accommodations for ELPAC and CAASPP
- Support Network oversight and school resources/training for 504s
Instructional Support - 25%
- Support with specially designed instruction and curricula, including alternate curricula and evidence-based interventions, including Wilson Reading System
- Provide network-wide and school-specific professional development
- Provide informal coaching and consultation to instructional staff on creating access to grade level curriculum through co-teaching for scholars with diverse learning needs
IEP Facilitation and Support - 25% - Serve as second administrator in IEP meetings to support the growth and development of specified 1st and 2nd year case managers
- Ensure legally compliant, instructionally aligned, and restorative-aligned decisions
- Manage complex cases, including suspension meetings and manifestation determinations
- Support parent understanding through clear, consistent communication
- Provide feedback and in the moment support for case managers
- Serve as a second administrator for complex IEP meetings to mitigate risk and build capacity for school site administrators
- Providing feedback and skill building for school administrators to increase their capacity to facilitate complex IEP meetings.
Compliance and Program Quality - 25%
- Support Case Managers with developing legally compliant IEPs by providing professional development and individualized support
- Conduct quality checks of IEP drafts
- Support Welligent documentation accuracy
- Support staff on meeting timelines and compliance expectations
- Support case managers with writing PWN’s
- Support implementation of IEP accommodations and services
- Collaborate with site leaders on instructional programming for students with disabilities
- Monitor documentation of IEP goal progress monitoring
Qualifications and Experience:
- California Teaching Credential or out of state equivalent with Special Education Experience, moderate/severe disabilities preferred
- Successful manager of an urban classroom who has used structure and high expectations to drive student success
- Experienced classroom teacher with demonstrated quantifiable and objective student performance gains with students with disabilities and English Language Learners
- Ability to work with a variety of learning abilities, including those with special needs and challenging behaviors in a heterogeneously grouped classroom setting
- Demonstrated ability to work well in a team, especially with parents and community members
- Analytical problem solver
- Basic understanding of data analysis
- Minimum three years of urban teaching preferred
- Minimum two year experience in IEP management
- Unwavering belief that all students can achieve and ultimately graduate college
Commitment to Diversity
Equitas Academy is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of educators. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are an equal opportunity employer.
Salary
Salary range starting at $90,000
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
