Area Program Manager, Special Education

San Diego Unified School District; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Job summary

San Diego Unified School District's Area Program Manager, Special Education, will plan, organize, and manage delivery of special education services across assigned programs and sites. The role requires instructional leadership, data analysis, and compliance with state and federal mandates.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, coordinating assessments and IEPs, and providing guidance to administrators and families to promote equity and access within special education.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in special education or related field.
• Four years of leadership experience in delivery of special education services.
• Valid California Administrative Services Credential.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and manage delivery of special education services.
• Provide direction to school sites for equity and access.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal mandates for IEP services.
• Supervise and evaluate assigned staff.
• Coordinate district and site assessments for IEPs and programs.
• Prepare documentation for due process hearings and mediations.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Instructional leadership

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in special education

Job description

Area Program Manager, Special Education

San Diego Unified School District Eugene Brucker Education Center - San Diego, California Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5944741

Application Deadline: Oct 11, 2026 11:59 PM (Pacific Standard Time)

Re-Posted: Sep 30, 2026 7:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

1. OVERVIEW:

   San Diego Unified School District, the second largest district in California and one of the top largest urban school districts in the United States, is looking for leaders who care deeply for students, inspire passion in their coworkers through collaborative leadership, and are committed to the communities in which they serve. The District seeks leaders who are committed to educational equity and work to create access and opportunity for our students furthest from education justice. Successful candidates must demonstrate their skill as an instructional leader, a firm understanding of school operations, as well as the capacity to build strong relationships with all partners within a school community.

2. DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

   Because each person is born with inherent worth and dignity, and because equitable access and opportunity are essential to a just, educated society, San Diego Unified employee commitments include being respectful of differences and diverse perspectives, and being accountable for one’s actions and the resulting impact.

3. BASIC FUNCTION:

   The Area Program Manager, Special Education will plan, organize, and manage delivery of special education services for assigned special education programs and/or school sites; conduct research, analyze data, and prepare statistical reports to support and implement best practices; ensure compliance with state and federal mandates; provide ongoing direction and guidance to school sites for implementation and continuation of special education programs and services, as well as leadership, direction, and supervision of assigned personnel.

4. POSITION SPECIFICS:
   • Working Location: 4100 Normal Ave. San Diego, CA 92103
   • Work schedule: 12 months /248 days per year
   • The position is paid on the AASD Certificated Supervisors Salary Schedule , Salary Plan 0708, Grade 030.
   • Qualifies for District Paid health and wellness benefits for employee and dependents
5. Examples of Duties:

   Plan, organize, and monitor procedures, methods, development, and implementation of special education services to students and families for assigned special education programs and/or school sites. E

   Provide direction to school sites and assigned staff in support of equity and access in general education and specialized settings. E

   Ensure compliance with policies and procedures for administering services for assessment, identification, certification, establishment of priority, and placement of students with Individualized Education Programs. E

   Provide technical assistance and consult with administrators, educators, paraprofessionals, caregivers, and other educational partners concerning the needs for students with Individualized Education Programs; coordinate articulation and/or transfer of students with Individualized Education Programs. E

   Assist in coordination of site and/or centralized assessments for assigned special education programs and/or school sites and serve as an administrative designee for Individualized Education Program team meetings as appropriate. E

   Prepare documentary evidence and present the District's legal position at due process hearings and mediations. E

   Ensure maintenance of confidential, accurate and current records related to program requirements including assessment, placement, progress, attendance, hearings and mediations, Medi-Cal billing and nonpublic school billing in order to meet federal, State and District mandates and audits. E

   Maintain knowledge of federal and state mandates regarding special education student and caregiver rights and responsibilities, and interpret these and other legal issues as appropriate for District staff, educational partners, and community agencies; investigate and collaborate with site administrators in response to alleged complaints and violations related to special education program issues. E

   Monitor nonpublic school placement for compliance with appropriate legal requirements, state mandates and regulations, District policies and procedures, and standards for curriculum and graduation. E

   Assist in planning and developing budgets for assigned special education programs and/or special education services at school sites, determine allocation of positions and needs for personnel and facilities, monitor compliance with regulations and expenditures of a variety of funding sources. E

   Implement procedures, coordinate reviews, and monitor reporting forms and reports to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and grants for assigned special education programs and/or sites. E

   Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff. E

   Collaborate with community agencies; coordinate central intake for potential special education referrals from social community agencies. E

   Direct and coordinate area and central office staff in providing timely professional learning and coaching support to schools. E

   Plan, organize and implement programs and activities designed to develop assigned special education programs and/or special education services at school sites. E

   Assist in the development, implementation, and monitoring of program evaluation plans. E

   Perform related duties as assigned.

   To view the detailed position description for Area Program Manager, Special Education, click here.

6. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

   Education and Experience: Any combination of training, experience and/or education equivalent to a Master's degree in special education or related field and four (4) years of leadership experience in delivery of special education services.

   Licenses and Other Requirements: Valid California Administrative Services Credential.

For questions regarding this job announcement, including priority consideration, please contact Human Resources Analyst Tina Cano at [e-mail] .

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

If you have questions about your application, please email [e-mail] .

The San Diego Unified School District communicates information regarding the hiring process via email. Please be aware that the District is not responsible for messages blocked by your email service. In an effort to allow our emails through your personal spam filter, you can try to add the [e-mail] and [e-mail] to your safe senders list.

San Diego Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying by reason of the following actual or perceived characteristics: age, ancestry, color, mental or physical disability, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, immigration status, marital or parental status, medical condition, nationality, national origin, actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, or on the basis of a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

For more information about equity in employment, contact:

Title II Coordinator & Uniform Complaint Compliance Officer Eric Rico: [phone], [e-mail] /Title IX Coordinator Anna Ward: [phone], [e-mail] /504 Coordinator Eri Nall: [phone], [e-mail]

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• San Diego Unified School District Human Resources
• 4100 Normal Street
• San Diego, California 92103
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $139,470.51 to $180,754.27 Per Year