Education Program Specialist

Program Specialist, Special Education Department: Special Education Reports to: Associate Director of Special Education Location: Stockton Type: Full Time FLSA Status: Exempt Schedule: Full Year About KIPP NorCal We are a thriving nonprofit network of 23 free, public charter schools open to all students. At KIPP, we believe all children should grow up free to create the future they want for themselves and that schools can and should be a critical factor in making that vision a reality. Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our student community consists of over 7,100 elementary, middle, and high school students in East Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco, San Lorenzo, San José, Redwood City, and Stockton. 80% qualify for free or reduced price lunch, 27% are multilingual learners, and 17% receive special education services. We strive to cultivate a representative team of teachers and leaders that reflect our students’ diversity. Role Overview As Program Specialist, you will be an integral member of the regional Special Education team, working under the supervision and management of an Associate Director of Special Education to provide sound educational programs for students with disabilities, and to support the programming & development of the Special Education programs of 3-5 schools within KIPP Public Schools Northern California. The Program Specialist is a consultant and coach to regional staff, school staff, and to parents in helping to implement individualized education plans for students, as developed by IEP teams. In this role, you own projects end-to-end with real autonomy over how the work gets done. You make day-to-day execution decisions and bring your manager in when something would change the project's direction or require resources beyond your scope. Core Responsibilities Capacity Building Provide input into the scope and sequence for professional development for Student Support Admin. Provide on-site support and development to Student Support Admin through regular meetings. Support school-based leaders, including School Leaders and Student Services Admin, with tools, information, and analyses to help them make student-centered decisions as both leaders of schools and members of IEP teams. Plan and implement regular professional development programs for new and returning Education Specialists, consistent with the KIPP Public Schools Northern California’s vision, mission, and strategic goals. Provide direct development and feedback to Education Specialists to increase case management skills, including IEP development and compliance, student progress evaluation, and collaboration with service providers. Collaborate with Student Services/Support Admin to consult with, coach, and assist Education Specialists in IEP development and implementation of high-quality instructional practices. Provide consultation to schools as they implement robust Tier 1–3 supports through a comprehensive MTSS system. When assigned, act as a mentor for education specialists participating in credentialing programs. The responsibilities of a mentor may include: instructional observations and coaching, case management observations and coaching, mentor professional development, regular one-on-one meetings, completion of credential program assessments and rubrics, and collaboration with education specialist school site managers. Provide consultation and collaboration in high-needs cases where more restrictive placements and/or more intensive services are being considered Attend IEP meetings when contentious, including a likely change of placement or when an advocate is present In collaboration with the Sub-Regional Associate Director, coordinate school response for cases involving advocates or attorneys, file requests, due process filings, compliance complaints, and independent educational evaluation requests. Professional Development and Support for School Admin Education Specialist Development Direct School Consultation and Support Special Education Programs Support the analysis of special education programs by participating in ongoing walkthroughs, audits, and data analysis of student achievement to identify trends and recommend strategies for increasing yearly progress Communicate analysis, action steps from above to school teams Together with the Student Support Administrator, co-plan and co-lead department meetings for the Special Education team at each school site Support onboarding and provide ongoing oversight of new/temporary contracted Education Specialists Support site teams to ensure LRE/FAPE is regularly offered to ensure educational benefit, and when appropriate, utilize placement tools to determine appropriateness Collaborate with site teams to build and develop programs to meet the full FAPE continuum Act as the case manager to support student placement at nonpublic schools or residential programs. Monitor compliance data aligned to regional goals, including IEP timelines and parent consent, and collaborate with SSA to improve compliance metrics Act as SEIS administrator per school site, including managing add requests, outgoing requests, and caseload provisions for all Ed. Specialists and Service Providers Support with the implementation of California Department of Education monitoring activities and plans Special Education Program Oversight and Outcomes Special Education Program Development SEIS Administrator, Compliance & State Monitoring Regional-wide Special Projects Lottery: Run lottery/SEIS search process for each assigned school site starting in the spring and continuing into Fall; collaborate with school sites to understand the quantities and needs of incoming students, especially high‑needs students ESY: Support site teams to collect data, analyze eligibility, create amendments, and run Extended School Year programs; act as site administrator for Extended School Year Programs Transportation: Collaborate with Associate Directors to ensure Transportation information is set up at the beginning of the school year and updated as needed Collaborate with SPED Leadership team to update various Special Education Handbooks, placement tools, guidance documents, etc. Collaborate with RSO Teams and outside partners to drive initiatives, as needed Attend professional conferences and learning opportunities Stay up to date on recent legal decisions that impact special education policies and practices Other duties as assigned KIPP Leadership Competencies These competencies describe the core leadership behaviors expected at this level – they guide how we hire, develop, and grow our people at KIPP NorCal. Lead Self: You seek diverse feedback, adjust your approach based on your impact on others, and continuously develop your expertise. You interrupt bias, advocate for equitable practices, and share your knowledge with peers. Lead People: You build authentic relationships across lines of difference and foster inclusion and psychological safety. You communicate the rationale for change, build buy‑in, and surface resistance early. You partner across teams, identify coordination gaps, and resolve them proactively. Lead Results: You translate strategy into project plans and manage competing priorities without losing sight of outcomes. You use data to analyze problems and inform decisions, deliver on time and scope, and manage up effectively — flagging risks early and bringing options when facing obstacles. Knowledge & Skills Required Qualifications Experience Clear California Special Education teaching credential to teach children with mild to moderate support needs and/or extensive support needs; or Related Service Provider License 4-6 years of relevant special education experience Education Bachelor's Degree with emphasis on specialized training in special education curriculum and instruction, or equivalent combination of education and experience Knowledge/skills Knowledge of special education laws and regulations, general education curriculum, alternative dispute methods and techniques, disabilities and appropriate curriculum, behavior management systems Demonstrated success teaching students from educationally underserved areas Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate complex compliance requirements for non‑specialist audiences Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan backwards from deadlines, assign clear ownership, and track progress Preferred Qualifications Experience in personnel management, including instructional coaching and leading team meetings is preferred Master’s Degree with emphasis on specialized training in special education curriculum and instruction is preferred Role Details Work Setting: School-facing Travel Expectation: Frequent school travel Driver’s License: Must have a valid CA driver’s license and access to reliable transportation for work‑related travel Physical Demands: Ability to navigate office and school campuses, use technology, and occasionally lift or carry materials up to 20 lbs. Mental Demands: Ability to manage competing priorities, concentrate for sustained periods, analyze complex information, and make decisions under normal work pressures. Environmental: Primarily school‑based environment, with regular travel between school sites KIPP Northern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Compensation KIPP Northern California is dedicated to you and your family's well‑being! We offer a competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision coverage, paid time off, retirement plan with employer contribution and commuter benefits. We benchmark annually against comparably‑sized non‑profit organizations in the regions where we operate, to offer competitive salaries. The salary range for this position is $95,000 - $113,400. #J-18808-Ljbffr