Special Education Specialist

Job Overview

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.

Key Responsibilities

School-Based Support & Coaching

• 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

Instruction & Program Implementation

• 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

Compliance & Monitoring

• 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

Cross-Functional Coordination & Problem Solving

• 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

Desired Outcomes and Role Specific Competencies

• Schools within the portfolio experience responsive, coordinated, and solutions-oriented SPED partnership, as evidenced by timely follow-through, clear communication, aligned implementation support, and positive feedback from school leaders and SPED staff regarding responsiveness and collaboration.
• IEP compliance, service delivery, and SPED implementation expectations are consistently maintained across assigned schools through organized systems, timely monitoring of compliance requirements, and proactive identification, escalation, and resolution of implementation concerns.
• Resource & Inclusion Teachers and SPED Team Chairs demonstrate increasing effectiveness in implementing instructional accommodations, aligned student supports, inclusion-focused practices, and progress monitoring systems that support student access and learning and achievement of individualized IEP goals.
• Portfolio implementation is coordinated, organized, and operationally strong, as evidenced by consistent tracking and follow-through of implementation priorities, accurate maintenance of data and reporting systems, and strong coordination between schools, portfolio staff, and central support teams.
• 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

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning is required; Master’s degree with emphasis in special education highly preferred
• 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

Compensation

• KIPP SoCal Public Schools offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in a similar position. The salary range for this position is $81,576 to $122,364. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint of $101,970 depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budget allocated for this role.
• 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.)