Education Program Director → $5,000 Sign-on Bonus!

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education

Denver (CO)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 105,000

Full time

38 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Telehealth & Counseling

Health Advocacy + 24/7 Nurse Line

Life & Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs & HSAs

Personal Protection Insurance

Legal Services Insurance

Pet Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

School Holidays & Paid Leave

401k

Employee Discount Program

Growth & Development

More perks

Job summary

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education seeks an Education Program Director to lead a Special Education program in Denver, overseeing site operations and staff to drive student achievement. You will champion instructional excellence, ensure compliance with IEPs and state requirements, and coordinate with districts to build a high-performing team.

You will recruit, train, and supervise staff, analyze data to guide interventions, manage resources, and uphold safety and quality

Qualifications

Master's degree in education or related field required.
CO state special education instruction credential required or in process.
License for administrator/BCBA or related credential preferred.
Crisis management training certification in progress or obtained.
Minimum 5 years in special education services and compliance.
Minimum 3 years in school administration or educational leadership.
Strong knowledge of administrative and school operations and compliance.
Extensive ABA knowledge including PBIS, FBA and BIP implementation.
Experience with IEPs for students with disabilities.
Proven ability to motivate students and have difficult conversations.
Experience in training, PD or coaching for teachers and staff.
Ability to build/maintain relationships with students, families, staff and partners.
Excellent oral/written communication, organization, conflict resolution and multitasking.

Responsibilities

Provide visionary leadership to drive student achievement and safe operations.
Lead recruitment and staff development for instructional quality.
Oversee enrollment, rosters, and transition planning per state mandates.
Induct/train new staff to ensure onboarding success and retention.
Ensure safety and compliance of facilities and programs.
Manage budgets, schedules, and resources to support priorities.
Report on student achievement and program effectiveness.
Collaborate with districts and partners to maintain positive relationships.
Guide teachers in effective use of learning materials and data-driven instruction.
Lead accreditation and quality assurance processes.
Monitor and report on staff and student performance using approved tools.
Support a positive school culture with appropriate behavior management.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

ABA knowledge

Staff coaching

Data analysis

Education

Master's degree or higher in education, special education or related field

CO state special education instruction credential (current or in process)

Education administrator / principal / BCBA credential preferred

Crisis management training certification (current or in process)

5+ years experience in special ed services & compliance

3+ years school admin/educational leadership

Knowledge of admin/school operations & compliance

ABA, PBIS, FBA, BIP experience

IEP experience

Motivation and coaching skills

Training/PD & coaching staff

Relationship building with students/parents/teachers

Strong communications & decision-making

Tech proficiency (instructional tech, MS Office, databases)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database entry

Instructional technology

Job description

Salary: $90,000 - $105,000 /year PLUS $5,000 Sign-on Bonus!

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a growing, dynamic organization with a social mission to offer hope, is seeking an Education Program Director to join our award-winning Special Education team and perform meaningful work in a culture that welcomes innovation, encourages creative expression and offers limitless potential for personal and professional satisfaction!

If you thrive in a collaborative, goal-oriented environment focused on meaningful outcomes for students with special education needs, seek a career filled with genuine purpose, and possess strong problem-solving skills, compassion and exceptional dedication —

As the Education Program Director, you will play a pivotal role in transforming student outcomes by championing excellence in instruction and fostering an environment of continuous academic growth. Serving as the instructional leader, you will inspire and guide our dedicated staff to consistently deliver high-quality teaching practices aligned with ChanceLight's proven educational strategies. Your leadership will ensure that policies and procedures are implemented effectively, creating a supportive and efficient learning environment where every student can thrive.

This position oversees all site operations and functions as the liaison between the site and the school districts’ designated site contacts by establishing and maintaining positive, interactive, working relationships.

Providing visionary leadership to drive student achievement and ensure smooth, effective operations by supervising staff, developing and implementing performance management plans, identifying professional learning needs, and engaging in continuous professional growth opportunities.
Participating in the recruitment and selection process to build and retain a faculty/staff team with the instructional skills and competencies necessary to meet the unique needs of the program’s student population.
Analyzing staff professional development needs and aligning them with ChanceLight instructional vision while recognizing achievements, addressing concerns, and maintaining productive, solutions-focused site operations.
Leading the induction and training of new staff—either directly or through designees to ensure a positive onboarding experience and maximize the success and retention of new team members.
Monitoring facilities and programs to ensure the safety of students and staff at all times, including compliance with contractual and state requirements, adherence to staffing ratios, and readiness to implement crisis protocols.
Performing essential managerial functions such as overseeing daily school operations, managing schedules and activities, coordinating custodial and maintenance efforts, supervising food and transportation services, directing administrative and budgetary processes, allocating resources, and fostering positive district and community relationships.
Demonstrating fiscal responsibility by strategically maximizing resources in partnership with the direct supervisor to support instructional priorities and student outcomes.
Participating in the enrollment process from initial referral to final day of attendance, ensuring timely placement, conducting effective site tours, managing rosters per student needs and state mandates, and contributing to transition planning toward the least restrictive environment when applicable.
Instructing, monitoring, and evaluating staff and students in the effective use of learning materials and resources to ensure instructional fidelity and optimal student performance.
Observing, evaluating, and reporting staff and student performance using the START Checklist or other approved observation tools to inform feedback and improvement efforts.
Participating in accreditation and quality assurance processes to ensure the site meets or exceeds ChanceLight and accrediting body standards.
Preparing and presenting reports on student achievement, development, and activities to showcase progress and program effectiveness.
Compiling, analyzing, and utilizing assessment data to track student growth, inform instruction, and guide targeted academic interventions.
Maintaining accurate, complete, and timely records of student progress in compliance with state laws, ChanceLight guidelines, and district policies.
Ensuring the on-time completion and distribution of grades, report cards, IEP progress reports, and transcripts for all students.
Ensuring compliance with all mandatory requirements, including the IEP process, state assessments, and ChanceLight policies.
Promoting a positive school culture by fostering programs and practices that encourage appropriate student behavior, applying support or disciplinary measures as needed in alignment with ChanceLight policies.
Providing guidance, encouragement, and academic counseling to students facing challenges to help them achieve their goals.
Performing other duties as assigned to support the overall success of the program and its students.

Qualifications Required:

Master's degree or higher in education, special education or a closely related field of study.
Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining a valid CO state special education instruction credential.
Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining an education administrator, school principal, board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) or related credential preferred.
Ability to obtain and maintain certification in company approved crisis management training.
Minimum five years prior experience in special education services and compliance, particularly for students with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, emotional behavioral disorders and/or other related disabilities.
Minimum three years prior experience in school administration or educational leadership, preferably in an alternative, special education and/or behavioral health program setting.
Comprehensive knowledge of administrative and school operations, functions, and compliance requirements.
Well-versed in applied behavior analysis (ABA) including positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), effective teaching strategies, classroom management systems, data-based decision making, functional behavior analysis (FBA) and behavior intervention plans (BIP's).
Prior experience and highly knowledgeable in working with students with individualized education plans (IEP's).
Proficiency in providing motivation and having critical conversations with students that help move them toward realistic goals.
Highly skilled in providing training, professional development and/or coaching to teachers and education staff.
Proven ability to build and maintain multiple relationships with students, parents, teachers, leaders and community and/or district partners.
Advanced oral and written communication, organization, conflict resolution, multitasking, problem solving, and decision-making ability.
Well-versed in the use of relevant technology including experience with instructional technology, computers, Microsoft Office Suite, database entry and basic office equipment.

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education is the nation’s leading provider of alternative and special education programs for children and young adults. Operating a variety of specialized program centers, we partner with more than 235 school districts nationwide to provide instructional and behavioral services in a safe, trusting environment where students can achieve their full potential.

Learn more about our history, our mission and the program services we provide by visiting the link below:

https://bit.ly/m/WorkWithPurpose

At ChanceLight we believe in providing more than just a job, as a member of our team you'll receive the opportunity to make meaningful impacts, the support needed to achieve success, and all the tools essential to reaching your personal & professional fulfillment! Your path to a truly rewarding career starts here – where growth, empowerment, and collaboration define our culture; and every day is a Chance to transform lives through education!

Learn more about the perks and benefits we provide by checking out our digital brochure:

Perks and Benefits Include: