Senior EC/ESS Specialist

0000 Great Hearts America; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Hearts Academies in North Carolina seeks a Senior EC/ESS Specialist to lead the ESS program across Bonnie Cone academies, overseeing SPED/504/EL counseling and program development. You will develop leaders, align with the National Accessibility Team, and respond to academy and CMO needs while ensuring compliance and high‑quality services for students touched by these programs.

This salaried role requires collaboration with school leaders, compliance with state and federal regulations, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required.
• Minimum 5 years leading special education programs in NC public schools.
• Servant leadership with a track record of collaboration.
• Proven ability to build and support teams.
• Strong emotional intelligence and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge of NC disability law and compliance basics.
• Organized thinker with systems perspective.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ESS program across Bonnie Cone academies and ensure program quality.
• Recruit, hire, and develop ESS faculty.
• Provide professional development and coaching for academy leaders.
• Advise on ESS program changes in line with GH mission.
• Ensure state/federal reporting, data collection, and confidentiality.
• Respond to escalated parent/community concerns and emergencies.
• Participate in special projects and program reviews.

Skills

Servant leadership

Team player

Mission-driven

Emotional intelligence

Relationship-building

Conflict resolution

Organized thinker

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Job Specification

Position: Senior Exceptional Children/ ESS Specialist

Department: National Academics

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Reports To: Sr. National Director of Accessibility

EEO Classification: Professional

FLSA Status: Salaried-Exempt

Salary: $80,000 to $90,000 annually

Position Summary

The Senior EC/ESS Specialist is primarily responsible for leading the ESS program, which includes Special Education/Exceptional Children, section 504, EL, and Counseling. First and foremost, the Senior EC/ESS Specialist is responsible for supporting and developing the leaders of these programs at the Bonnie Cone academies (Bonne Cone Classical Academy, and Bonnie Cone Leadership Academies). Additionally, the Senior EC/ESS Specialist is responsible for executing the short- and long-term priorities for ESS program development in North Carolina in collaboration with the National Accessibility Team, attending to input from the BC academies, and in collaboration with the GH Executive Directors. Last, the Senior EC/ESS Specialist is ultimately responsible for responding to Bonnie Cone Academy and CMO needs relative to service to students touched by these programs.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Academy Leadership Development - Serving and leading the academy program leaders at the Bonnie Cone academies within the broad philosophy of Great Hearts service to all students.
• Supporting Recruiting and Hiring - Assisting Bonnie Cone academies with the recruitment, interviewing, and onboarding of ESS faculty
• Professional Development & Coaching - Directing regional professional development on topics relevant to the service of all students, including coaching academy program leaders and providing training directly to academy faculty and staff as needed.
• Academy ESS Program Advisement - Staying abreast of changes in NC disability law and best practices and adapting/improving Bonnie Cone ESS programs as appropriate and consistent with the GH mission, in collaboration with the National Accessibility Team.
• State Reporting and Monitoring - Ensuring that Bonnie Cone academies comply with state and federal law with regards to service, data collection and confidentiality, and reporting for students in our programs (SPED, 504, EL, Counseling).
• Support on Escalated Cases - Assisting academies with the resolution of parent or community informal and formal complaints.
• Emergencies (typically staffing related) – Supporting a Bonnie Cone academy through a staffing transition, as needed.
• Special Projects – Initiating and completing special projects (e.g. curriculum deployment, guidance documents, research projects, etc.) as needed.
• Program Review – Collecting and analyzing data about academy and student performance and other trends for the purposes of program review and improvement.
• Program Vigilance - Maintaining awareness of and responding to state and national trends, opportunities, and threats to implementation of our programs.

Qualifications, Competencies & Strengths

• Education: Bachelor of Arts or Higher Education required
• Experience: 5 years’ experience leading special education/exceptional children program in a public school in North Carolina (preferred in Charter).
• Special Skills: Track record of leading with a servant’s heart
• Track record of the behaviors of a team player
• Passionately committed to the Great Hearts purpose and mission
• High degree of emotional intelligence
• Skill in relationship-building with emphasis on trust and collaboration
• Skill in conflict resolution and mediation
• Organized and systems thinker

Additional Requirements

• Type of fingerprint clearance: Must complete criminal history background check per state regulations, which includes state and FBI fingerprint-based checks.
• Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
• Travel required: Will need to travel locally within North Carolina to the Bonnie Cone academies.
• This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
• Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
• Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
• This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Company Culture

Our purpose is to cultivate the minds and hearts of students through the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.

Great Hearts Academies leads the way in classical, liberal arts education.

We are a growing network of charter schools and private Christian schools, expanding in existing and new regions across Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas.

Whether you are seeking teaching, leadership, or campus support opportunities, we have established a mission-driven culture and emphasis on learning and growing, professionally and personally.

At Great Hearts, we provide a calling to shape the future through an education that fosters human flourishing and academic excellence.

We celebrate diversity and welcome individuals from all backgrounds—inside and outside education—who bring unique perspectives and ideas to enrich our community.

Through meaningful conversations and collaboration, we foster a strong, supportive cohort of educators.

At Great Hearts, your passion and expertise will thrive in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Learn how you can grow both in mind and heart as an employee of Great Hearts.