Manager, Special Education Service Delivery

About the role

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) supports networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education, including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support. Reporting to the Director of Service Delivery of OSD, the Manager, Special Education Service Delivery supervises the planning, organization, administration, and management of programs for students with disabilities. The manager is also responsible for policy, professional, and program development and evaluation, curriculum adoption and development surrounding instructional strategies, practices, and supports.

Responsibilities

• Oversee one or more teams of Service Delivery staff providing support in areas such as Visual Impairment, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Hospital-based instruction, Early Childhood Special Education, and/or Assistive Technology resources.
• Increase collaboration with school-based teams to provide evidence‑based instructional services and supports so that all students, especially those with disabilities, can access the general education curriculum in the least restrictive environment.
• Build district capacity around special education educational models and evidence‑based practices to ensure students receive specialized instruction that positively impacts achievement.
• Develop structures based on deep analyses of student, classroom, school, network, and district‑level data to promote early access to and acquisition of skills required for significant growth and achievement.
• Facilitate the creation and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and transition plans that enable students with disabilities to realize postsecondary college, career, and independent living goals.
• Create and maintain a diversified professional development portfolio for use with parents, educators, and community stakeholders.
• Perform other duties and workstreams as assigned.

Requirements

• Master's degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university, required.
• Valid teaching certificate/Professional Educator’s License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with appropriate content and/or grade level endorsement(s), required.
• Principal endorsement/valid State of Illinois General Administrative Certificate, preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in program development for students with disabilities, planning, monitoring, and coordination.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience teaching special education and/or providing other direct support to students with disabilities.
• Establish and maintain Chicago residency within six months of hire and throughout employment (condition of employment).

Skills

• Knowledge of current trends in the area, including evidence‑based practices.
• Ability to provide professional development for educators and other stakeholders.
• Ability to promote competence with technology as an ongoing part of student access to information.
• Ability to foster an active, cooperative partnership among students, families, schools, and the community at large that promotes student growth and development.
• Ability to work with individuals with diverse educational, language, and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrated expertise in addressing, creating, and/or maintaining programs, projects, and initiatives that address issues of diversity, equity, and social justice.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and to cultivate an atmosphere of cultural responsiveness, respect, and teamwork.
• Ability to lead major initiatives from inception to completion and effectively lead project teams and workgroups composed of multidisciplinary units.
• Ability to utilize various platforms and software programs for project and program efficiency.
• Strong writing and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of the general education core curriculum and evidence‑based strategies for removing barriers that might impact learners with disabilities.

Benefits

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health coverage including medical plan options, pharmacy, dental, vision, behavioral health & EAP, employee wellness program.
• Financial Security: Basic life insurance, life and disability insurance, pension plans, supplemental retirement plans (403(b) and 457(b)), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), spot pet insurance.
• Work‑Life Balance: Paid leave, sick leave, vacation days, parental leaves, short‑term disability, religious holidays leaves.

Pay