Manager of Special Education - Willamette Connections Academy

Connections Education LLC; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Willamette Connections Academy seeks a Manager of Special Education to oversee SPED service delivery and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. The role includes managing IEP/504 processes, data, and communications with parents, while coordinating with school districts and providers.

The position involves developing standard procedures, maintaining records in the LMS, and leading meetings to support students with special needs in a virtual and district-supported environment.

Qualifications

• Three years of professional practice or administrative experience in special education.
• Master's degree in SPED or an Administrator license is preferred.
• Must meet continuing education requirements and have strong compliance knowledge.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Customer-focused, highly flexible, able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with IDEA policy and/or administration in Special Education.
• Travel and occasional evening hours for events and conferences.

Responsibilities

• Oversee special education processes and timelines across all schools.
• Develop standardized forms, protocols, and procedures for SPED.
• Maintain relationships with districts, providers, and agencies.
• Manage IEP/504 development, referrals, and annual reviews.
• Coordinate SST process and related meetings.
• Ensure accommodations for state testing and compliance with laws.
• Support staff training and summer program delivery for SPED.
• Collaborate with families to maximize learning in LRE.

Skills

Excellent communication

Tech proficiency (MS Office & Google).

Adaptability / flexibility

Policy knowledge (IDEA) & compliance

Travel for events

Education

Masters in SPED or Administrator license

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

Company Summary

Willamette Connections Academy is a tuition‑free, K–12 online public school that students attend from home. Sponsored by Scio School District, Willamette Connections Academy is state certified and open to students throughout Oregon.

Position Summary

The Manager of Special Education will oversee all aspects of educational service delivery for our students with special education needs. The Manager of Special Education will ensure that the school operates in compliance with all state and federal regulations, and data is collected, stored, and updated in a manner that meets all compliance expectations. 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, maintaining student data, communicate with parents, and ensure that the school always operates in compliance with special education law and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Monitor compliance with special education processes and timelines across all schools. Interpret and articulate special education regulations, policies, and procedures to principal, teachers, and parents to ensure compliance;
• Develop standardized processes, forms and protocols for all special education procedures;
• Establish and maintain a database of and relationships with school districts, intermediate units, private providers, community agencies, mental health clinics, etc.;
• Establish procedures for placement, evaluation, assignment and re-evaluation of students regarding the special education services program;
• Oversee and/or implement all aspects of student referrals, 504 or IEP development, diagnostic assessments, and annual/tri-annual reviews. Institute and maintain a documentation system within the Learning Management System that captures and organizes all such data;
• Conduct all school-based special education related meetings;
• Coordinate the set-up and delivery of IEP-mandated direct services to students, whether through direct in-house teacher support or contracted services with school districts or other qualified agencies;
• Oversee the development, tracking, dissemination and proper implementation of 504 or IEP-mandated accommodations for students with special needs during state testing events;
• Coordinate implementation and proper administration of the Student Support Team (SST) process. Participate in SST meetings as required;
• Collaborate with the school team concerning all facets of programming for students with special needs, from pre-referral intervention to transition and dismissal;
• Work directly with parents, as needed, to answer questions and ensure that all school actions are in compliance, and are in the interest of maximizing student learning in the Least Restrictive Environment;
• Develop a good working knowledge of the school's curricular options, and how they can be adapted and implemented to meet specific student needs; Introduce new ways of supporting special needs students in a virtual environment;
• Plan, implement, and evaluate staff in-service activities;
• Coordinate and support summer school offerings for special education students;
• Ability to maintain up-to-date knowledge of current theory, research, methodology and legislation in appropriate fields of assignment regarding Special Education;
• Assist with ensuring staff certification compliance (i.e. temporary approvals and alternative track completers);
• Oversee the EL Program working with the EL teacher to ensure compliance according to district policies and procedures;
• Coordinate and implement state testing for WIDA and pre identification for EL students and monitor accommodations for school wide state testing;
• Performs other duties as assigned by the School Leader.

Requirements

• Three years of successful professional practice or administrative experience in special education or a combination of practice and experience
• Masters in SPED or Administrator license preferred
• Must meet all continuing education requirements
• Expertise in special education law and compliance
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Customer focused approach
• High degree of flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast paced environment
• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office and Google Suite products)
• Experience in policy (IDEA) and/or administration with Special Education
• Travel and attendance at in-person events, including State Testing is required throughout the school year, as determined by the school. There will also be required, out of state, in-person conferences, resulting in overnight travel
• Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families

Note: The anticipated salary for Oregon-based individuals interested in this position ranges from $75,000-$85,000. Benefits available to eligible employees can be seen at careers/benefits/.

Willamette 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.