Area Program Manager, Special Education (assigned to support Equity and Access)

Description

This opportunity is open to all interested candidates.

OVERVIEW:

San Diego Unified School District, the second largest district in California and one of the top largest urban school districts in the United States, is looking for leaders who care deeply for students, inspire passion in their coworkers through collaborative leadership, and are committed to the communities in which they serve. The District seeks leaders who are committed to educational equity and work to create access and opportunity for our students furthest from education justice. The District is seeking candidates for an Area Program Manager, Special Education (Equity and Access) to support assigned schools sites and special education programs.

The Area Program Manager, Special Education, will plan, organize, and manage delivery of special education services for assigned special education programs and/or school sites; conduct research, analyze data, and prepare statistical reports to support and implement best practices; ensure compliance with state and federal mandates; provide ongoing direction and guidance to school sites for implementation and continuation of special education programs and services, as well as leadership, direction, and supervision of assigned personnel.

• Working location is based out of the Equity and Access Department - 4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103
• Scheduled for 12 months / 248 days per year
• Qualifies for District Paid health and wellness benefits for employee and dependents

Examples of Duties

An incumbent may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements. E = Essential Functions

• 
  Plan, organize, and monitor procedures, methods, development, and implementation of special education services to students and families for assigned special education programs and/or school sites. E

• Provide direction to school sites and assigned staff in support of equity and access in general education and specialized settings. E

• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures for administering services for assessment, identification, certification, establishment of priority, and placement of students with Individualized Education Programs. E

• Provide technical assistance and consult with administrators, educators, paraprofessionals, caregivers, and other educational partners concerning the needs for students with Individualized Education Programs; coordinate articulation and/or transfer of students with Individualized Education Programs. E

• Assist in coordination of site and/or centralized assessments for assigned special education programs and/or school sites and serve as an administrative designee for Individualized Education Program team meetings as appropriate. E

• Prepare documentary evidence and present the District’s legal position at due process hearings and mediations. E

• Ensure maintenance of confidential, accurate and current records related to program requirements including assessment, placement, progress, attendance, hearings and mediations, Medi-Cal billing and nonpublic school billing in order to meet federal, State and District mandates and audits. E

• Maintain knowledge of federal and state mandates regarding special education student and caregiver rights and responsibilities, and interpret these and other legal issues as appropriate for District staff, educational partners, and community agencies; investigate and collaborate with site administrators in response to alleged complaints and violations related to special education program issues. E

• Monitor nonpublic school placement for compliance with appropriate legal requirements, state mandates and regulations, District policies and procedures, and standards for curriculum and graduation. E

• Assist in planning and developing budgets for assigned special education programs and/or special education services at school sites, determine allocation of positions and needs for personnel and facilities, monitor compliance with regulations and expenditures of a variety of funding sources. E

• Implement procedures, coordinate reviews, and monitor reporting forms and reports to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and grants for assigned special education programs and/or sites. E

• Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff. E

• Collaborate with community agencies; coordinate central intake for potential special education referrals from social community agencies. E

• Direct and coordinate area and central office staff in providing timely professional learning and coaching support to schools. E

• Plan, organize and implement programs and activities designed to develop assigned special education programs and/or special education services at school sites. E

• Assist in the development, implementation, and monitoring of program evaluation plans. E

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of training, experience and or education equivalent to a Master’s degree in special education or related field and four (4) years of leadership experience in delivery of special education services.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid California Administrative Services Credential.
Valid California Driver's License.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION PROCESS
To be eligible for consideration, interested candidates must submit the following items. Your application will be considered incomplete if you do not include all required information, including completion of the Work Experience and Education Sections of the online application, required attachments, and responses to all supplemental application questions.

• 
  Online employment application
  • A completed online employment application must be submitted/received electronically by the closing date. This application MUST include all required attachments, current and previous employment history and education to evaluate your qualifications, and all other requirements identified in the recruitment and supplemental questions. It is important to note that a resume does not substitute for completing the Work Experience and Education sections. Your application will be considered incomplete if you do not include all relevant details and attachments.
  • Paper applications are not accepted.
• Answer all supplemental questions
  • The supplemental questions should be answered thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the entire application package) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process.
• Attach required documents (PDF format recommended)
  • Letter of Introduction
  • Resume
    • Resume must reflect current and past work and accomplishments.
    • A resume is to be attached, but does NOT substitute for completing work history, education sections, or the supplemental questions of the employment application.
  • Letters of Recommendation / Professional References. Must attach at least one (1) recent Letter of Recommendation, dated within one year; may attach up to two (2) additional letters, but not more than three (3).
  • Credential
    • Valid California Administrative Services Credential is required.
    • A copy of your valid California Administrative Services Credential, or equivalent out-of-state administrative credential, MUST be attached to your submitted online application. Detailed instructions to view and print California credential(s) may be found on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website at this LINK. For other states, please visit the state educator license/credential website.
    • If you are currently enrolled in an Administrative Services Credential program, you must attach verification of enrollment from the university/ program with the anticipated program completion date.
• Assembly Bill 2534
  • As of January 1, 2025, in accordance with Education Code section 44939.5 (as amended by California AB2534) applicants for certificated positions are required by law to provide a complete list of every school district, county office of education, charter school and/or state special school with which you have previously been employed, regardless of the length of service.
  • You may be required to provide this information through the screening process. Should you be required to submit this information, you will be sent an AB2534 form to complete via the email address on your application. An incomplete list of LEAs may result in the disqualification of your application.
• Additional documents (optional)
  
• Additional documents, if any, must be attached to the online employment application.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

If you have questions about your application, please email Suzette Hunter at shunter1@sandi.net.

The San Diego Unified School District communicates information regarding the hiring process via email. Please be aware that the District is not responsible for messages blocked by your email service. In an effort to allow our emails through your personal spam filter, you can try to add the domain@sandi.net and domain@governmentjobs.com to your safe senders list.

• Title II Coordinator & Uniform Complaint Compliance Officer Eric Rico: (619) 725-7225, erico1@sandi.net

• Title IX Coordinator Anna Ward: (619) 725-7225, award2@sandi.net

• 504 Coordinator Eri Nall: (619) 344-6420, enall@sandi.net