[Hiring] Manager of Special Education @Connections Academy

Role Description

The Manager of Special Education will work in conjunction with the school’s leadership team to support the mission and operations of the school to help students successfully complete their instructional and career pathway programs. The Manager of Special Education will ensure that the school is providing appropriate programs in the least restrictive environment for all students with special needs. This will include management of the pre-referral and IEP processes, maintenance of student data, communication with parents, locating and contracting with service providers throughout the state, and ensuring that the school operates in compliance with special education law and procedures at all times. The Manager of Special Education will lead the K-12 Special Education Team and ensure the school remains in compliance with state and federal requirements.

• Support the mission and operations of the school to help students successfully complete their instructional and career pathway programs.
• Create and implement a school-to-work transition program for students with disabilities.
• Build and maintain relationships with private providers, community agencies, and adult service providers.
• Ensure IEP move-in conferences occur within ten days of enrollment for all students with IEPs enrolled at MOCA.
• Ensure compliance with special education processes and timelines.
• Implement a strong process for students who are part of the Child Find process, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Maintain documentation within the IEP program and the Learning Management System that captures and organizes special education timelines and data.
• Implement standardized processes, forms, and protocols for all special education procedures.
• Coordinate the establishment and delivery of IEP mandated services to students.
• Communicate and consult with teachers and Learning Coaches regarding the instructional program for students with disabilities or other special needs, ensuring compliant school actions and that students are learning in their Least Restrictive Environment.
• Oversee the development, tracking, dissemination, and proper implementation of IEP or 504 plan mandated accommodations for students with special needs during state testing events.
• Participate in conferences and meetings as required.
• Collaborate with the corporate staff and members of the local school team.
• Develop a working knowledge of Connections Academy’s curricular options, and how they can be adapted and implemented to meet specific student needs.
• Support the State Testing team with planning state assessments.
• Introduce new ways of supporting special needs students in a virtual environment.
• Provide supervision to the special education teacher(s) and assistant managers.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate staff in-service activities.
• Perform such other duties as assigned by the School Leader or corporate Senior Director of Student Services.

Qualifications

• Masters’ Degree in Special Education or related Education Field
• Administrator’s License or Special Education Director license required
• A minimum of 3 years of full-time successful teaching experience in special education
• Experience leading/managing a high school Special Education program
• Experience implementing a Special Education transition program
• Expertise in special education law and compliance
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Strong leader
• Customer-focused approach
• High degree of flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products)
• Occasional travel (less than 10%)
• Proctor state assessments
• Missouri certification
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication

Benefits

• Benefits available to eligible employees can be seen at Career Benefits - Connections Academy
• Missouri Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve.
• We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
• Missouri Connections Academy is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), which are accrediting divisions of Cognia.