Special Education Instructor

Black Hills Special Services Cooperative; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 58,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Health Savings Account

South Dakota Retirement

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

Job summary

Black Hills Special Services Cooperative is seeking a Special Education Instructor to empower young adults with disabilities through job readiness, self-advocacy and life skills. You will write IEPs, coordinate with families, VR and community partners, and deliver engaging lessons with real‑world experiences.

The role blends classroom instruction with project work, requires creativity and strong communication, and involves team collaboration and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• SD teacher certification for K-12 Special Education is required.
• Experience writing IEPs and conducting reevaluations is preferred.
• Experience with youth and young adults is preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Valid SD Driver's License and vehicle insurance.

Responsibilities

• Provide instruction to interns 18–24 focused on employment, self-advocacy and life skills.
• Write IEPs and coordinate meetings with families, VR, and partners.
• Lead student interviews and plan lessons per Project SEARCH curriculum.
• Plan activities to stimulate learning and social development.
• Maintain attendance, progress reports, and assessment records.
• Communicate with parents, VR case managers, and district staff.

Skills

Special Education

Communication

Lesson Planning

IEP Development

Collaboration

Education

SD teacher certification for K-12 Special Education

Tools

Educational Equipment

Computers

Job description

Join Black Hills Special Services Cooperative's dynamic Project SEARCH team and make a meaningful impact by helping young adults with disabilities (ages 18–24) gain the skills they need for employment and independence. As a Special Education Instructor, you'll deliver engaging lessons focused on job readiness, self-advocacy, and life skills, while developing individualized education plans (IEPs) and coordinating with families, vocational rehabilitation, and community partners. This role combines classroom instruction with real-world experiences, requiring creativity, strong communication, and a passion for empowering students to succeed.

Black Hills Special Services Cooperative (BHSSC) is a public entity that is an educational cooperative under the State of South Dakota. BHSSC is comprised of five divisions dedicated to aiding school districts, individuals, and the communities.

Wage-
$32.74 per hour

Job Type-
Full-time, non-exempt

Work Location-
Rapid City, SD

Job Description-

• Provide instruction to disabled interns ages 18-24 using many different methods to supplement instruction and geared towards employment, self-advocacy, and life skills.
• Write IEPs, and set up and facilitate parent meetings, internship meetings, and Project SEARCH steering committee meetings.
• Prepare and lead student interviews for upcoming potential candidates for the program.
• Prepare lesson plans and the course of study following the curriculum guidelines for Project SEARCH.
• Plan individual and group activities to stimulate learning, such as attending to tasks, developing social relationships, and utilizing educational materials.
• Assign lessons and correct homework, providing positive feedback.
• Administer tests to evaluate student progress, record results, and issue reports to inform students of progress. Maintain accurate assessment records, goals, and progress reports on each student.
• Keep attendance records and report to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) so intern stipend checks can be issued.
• Ensure a safe environment for interns and staff.
• Meet with students to discuss their progress and help them solve problems.
• Participate in daily and weekly team meetings, professional meetings, school district meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops.
• Compose, type, and maintain routine correspondence, reports, and various other materials and projects. Submit reports and documents as deemed necessary.
• Operate office equipment, including computers and educational equipment.
• Communicate with parents, VR case managers, school district staff, Project SEARCH team members, hospital personnel, and division director.
• Other duties as assigned

Job Qualifications-

• SD teacher certification for K-12 special education required.
• Experience with writing IEPs, re-evaluation process, and other special education tasks preferred.
• Experience with youth and young adults preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Valid SD Driver's License and vehicle insurance.

Benefits-

• Health, Dental, and Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account Options
• South Dakota Retirement
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave

Company Website-
Bhssc.org

For additional questions regarding this position, please contact Jeanne McKenna at [e-mail].

Because BHSSC is an educational cooperative under the State of South Dakota, all employees are required to undergo a criminal background investigation.