2026-2027 Senior Special Education Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Special Education Program Manager

Join a dedicated team that fosters autonomy and creativity, while receiving a competitive salary, opportunities for career and personal growth, and the gratification that comes from creating positive multi-generational change.

Ednovate Background

Ednovate launched its first school in 2012. Since then, we’ve grown to eight schools and are on a trajectory to reach 11 schools in just the next few years (you can read more about our schools here). Ednovate is committed to serving areas where students traditionally lack access to a quality college-prep education by building tuition-free, safe, high-performing public schools driven to create positive multi-generational change.

We are made up of world travelers, nacho connoisseurs, KPOP business owners, and Beyonce fans. We love LA and OC, and we're our students' biggest cheerleaders. We are looking to hire innovative changemakers who aim to continue our goal of becoming the high school experts across Southern California. Sound like you? Keep reading.

Position Overview

As the Senior Special Education Program Manager at Ednovate, you will implement Ednovate’s vision for special education to help achieve the highest levels of academic and social-emotional learning for every student. You will manage the IEP process for a portfolio of identified schools to drive forward special education compliance and ensure that special education teachers can spend most of their time dedicated to student instruction and culture. This role is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for supporting all learners who possesses strong knowledge of special education and operational and relationship-building skills looking to create positive multigenerational change in a collaborative, results-oriented environment. This is a full-time, exempt role that reports to the Senior Director of Special Education.

What You'll Do

• Lead special education administration . Serve as the administrative designee for IEP meetings and effectively facilitate contentious IEP meetings using a student-centered approach to resolving disagreements. Develop and case manage particular IEPs at assigned schools, including meeting coordination and facilitation, and maintaining all required documentation as required by federal, state and district regulations. Ensure IEP timeline compliance for assigned schools utilizing network processes, participating in weekly compliance meetings and maintaining documentation. Administer transition assessments and implement quarterly or bi-annual transition activities for assigned students. Administer formal academic assessments and write the accompanying academic reports, as necessary. Monitor service provision using reports and communicate with stakeholders as needed about service provision.

• Develop postsecondary transition programming for all grade levels . Create a scope and sequence and aligned content to support transitions. Implement quarterly or bi-annual transition activities for assigned students and administer transition assessments for high needs cases. Facilitate special education focused family workshops to build family understanding of transition planning, postsecondary options, and student advocacy. Lead the shift from RSP-directed to student-led IEPs, equipping students with tools to articulate goals and take active roles in their education and transition planning. Collaborate with the College Success Team and Positive Multigeneration Change Team to strengthen students’ individualized transition plans and ensure alignment with their education and career goals. Acts as the on-site lead for the Special Education Department in the absence of the Senior Director of Special Education, assuming delegated responsibilities as needed to ensure continuity of services, staff support, and compliance with program requirements.

• Provide professional development . Develop and provide ongoing professional development for general and special education staff and network team members. Mentor Resource Service Providers with training, onboarding, guidance and regular coaching cycles. Support teachers and administrators in implementation of appropriate strategies to meet the needs of students with IEPs. Attend regular meetings/trainings for network support team as well as at assigned schools for continued professional development and community building. Maintain knowledge of current special education regulations and best practices.

Who You'll Be

• Mission-driven professional passionate about increasing college attainment for historically under-represented students

• Social justice champion committed to promoting educational opportunity for all students and families

• Entrepreneurial spirit who thrives in a workplace characterized by autonomy, flexibility, transparency and accountability

• Collaborative team player who works well with others from diverse backgrounds, uplifts and celebrates our teammates and engages in healthy debate and feedback to get the best results for students and families

• Resourceful, persistent learner with a growth mindset, constantly seeking to “find a way or make one” to master your craft and improve results.

We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree, required. Masters degree in special education, preferred

• A California Special Education Teaching Credential or Out of State Special Education Credential, strongly preferred

• 5+ years of successful experience as a special education teacher, including writing IEP goals, inputting service minutes, and ensuring timeline compliance for a caseload of students, required

We're Committed To Giving You

• A competitive and transparent salary ($85,000 to $125,000, depending on background and experience)

• Medical, dental and vision coverage - including a fully-paid medical and dental option for employees and their families - and flexible spending account options

• Paid family leave, short-term disability and life insurance benefits

• Fitness and entertainment discounts

• Generous paid time off and holidays

• 403b retirement savings plan, with company match

• A place to grow, learn and be a part of the Ednovate family

We Believe in Inclusion

We aim to intentionally develop a schoolwide culture in which every student and teammate feels a sense of belonging. Ednovate does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

We know applying for a new job can be daunting, and studies have shown that individuals from historically underrepresented communities may only apply to roles when they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all interested candidates to apply. You may be just the person we need! If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to email View email address on ziprecruiter.com. We are here to help.