Education Programs Manager - Special Education Strategic Partnerships

Education Programs Manager - Special Education Strategic Partnerships

The Program Manager of Special Education Strategic Partnerships serves as a strategic conduit between the Agency's Special Education Division, external organizations, and Local Education Agencies (LEAs). This role ensures that the Division's work is not done in a vacuum. By aligning state-level policy with external innovation and local reality, the Director ensures a unified approach to improving student outcomes across the state.

Responsibilities:

• LEA Leadership & Network Facilitation: Lead and facilitate monthly statewide calls with LEA Special Education Directors to maintain a consistent, high-level feedback loop.
• Curate agendas that translate state directives into practical implementation strategies while identifying local "bright spots" to share across the state.
• Ensure that the operational realities and concerns of LEA Directors are directly represented in Agency decision-making.
• Provide regular communication to the Directors' listserv and monitor the special education general email inbox to ensure outreach is being routed appropriately.
• Knowledge Translation & Resource Mapping: Translate technical state and federal regulations into "field-friendly" guidance for both community partners and LEA leadership.
• Maintain a clear map of available external resources and expertise to ensure they are accessible to the districts that need them most.
• Strategic Liaison & Conduit: Act as the primary interface for external organizations (non-profits, advocacy groups, and research institutions) to align their shared work with the Division's strategic priorities.
• Serve as the primary Agency liaison to the Special Education Advisory Panel, ensuring the group is informed of Agency activities and has the data necessary to provide meaningful advice.
• Synthesize external research and stakeholder feedback into actionable insights for the Agency's leadership team.
• Systems Alignment: Map the landscape of external initiatives to identify overlaps, gaps, or redundancies with Agency-led work.
• Ensure that collaborative projects with external partners directly support the State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR) indicators.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 7+ years in Special Education leadership; experience in district-level administration (LEA)
• Mastery of IDEA (Part B and C) and evidence-based literacy/special education practices
• Expert-level ability to lead large-scale meetings and foster collaborative environments among diverse stakeholders
• Ability to take high-level policy and "translate" it into actionable steps for school-based leaders

As of July 12, 2026, the step 1 rate for pay grade 26 will be $33.53 per hour and the step 15 rate will be $52.55 per hour.

This position, Education Programs Manager - Special Education Strategic Partnerships (Job Requisition #55051), is open to all State employees and external applicants. If you would like more information about this position, please contact Erin Davis at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Environmental Factors: Normal office working conditions generally prevail. Incumbent must be able to interact, work, and deal with Department staff, educators, state, federal, and local officials, and the general public. Evening and weekend work may be required. Considerable travel is necessary for which private means of transportation must be available.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in education, public administration, or related field AND five (5) years or more of experience in education or human services, INCLUDING one (1) year or more with planning, policy, program administration or a program evaluation role AND two (2) years or more of supervisory experience.
• OR Bachelor's degree in education, public administration, or related field AND seven (7) years or more of experience in education or human services, INCLUDING one (1) year or more with planning, policy, program administration or a program evaluation role AND two (2) years or more of supervisory experience.

Special Requirements: Some positions may have certification requirements or other special requirements.

Total Compensation: As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Equal Opportunity Employer: The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.