Special Education Learning Community Leader

Indianapolis Public Schools; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is seeking an experienced administrator to lead special education services across K-8/Secondary/Transformation Zone Learning Communities. This 12-month administrator position emphasizes compliance, coaching, and collaboration with school leaders to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

The role requires Indiana administrator license, SPED certification, and a track record in assessment, program development, and effective communication.

Qualifications

• Hold or eligible for Indiana administrator/director license.
• Special Education certification.
• Master's in Education Administration; 3–5 years practitioner and 3–5 years as administrator.
• Working knowledge of IDEA and Article 7.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision, in partnership with school leaders, to the daily work of special education compliance, instructional coaching, ensuring adherence to established special education law, policies, procedures, and standards
• Serve as principal's first point of contact beyond building based special education staff for issues related to the day-to-day special education support in their school
• Work with principals to resolve school-based special education concerns and problems
• Assist special education Learning Community staff and school principals in setting and attaining goals for student achievement
• Assist in the coordination and articulation of the district's special education programs and services across and between grade levels in their Learning Community with a particular focus on students in the inclusion and resource settings.
• Conducts routine on-site visits of assigned schools in the system; provides specific feedback, support, and suggestions to principals to strengthen teaching and learning for students with special needs
• Supports principals in special education human resource management, including recruiting, retaining, and developing special education staff
• Provides technical assistance to principals in working with marginal special education staff
• Assists principals with special education decision-making and problem-solving
• Resolves difficult special education situations quickly and effectively between schools and parents that are not resolved at the school level
• Assists principals in the development of appropriate professional development programs for special education staff
• With Human Resource support, coordinates the staffing of special education positions and ensures support for inducting and retaining personnel
• Serves as chairperson for manifest determination conferences as needed.
• Perform duties assigned by the Special Education Officer

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Negotiation skills

Ethics and integrity

Education

Indiana administrator license

Special Education certification

Master's in Education Administration

3–5 years practitioner

3–5 years administrator

Job description

WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful.We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you’ll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You’ll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key—you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.

Together, we are Proving What’s Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

A Career in IPS Offers…

Purpose and Impact:

• Essential Contributions: In every non-teaching and non-leadership role, your work directly supports the success of IPS students and schools. Whether you’re maintaining facilities, providing student services, or managing administrative operations, you play a key part in ensuring an equitable and high-quality educational environment.
• Belonging and Community: IPS is a place where every employee is valued. You’ll join a supportive community that promotes respect, teamwork, and a shared commitment to serving students and families.

Professional and Personal Growth:

• Training and Development Opportunities: IPS offers a variety of training programs to help staff build new skills and grow professionally. This includes access to development opportunities for administrative, technical, and operational roles, as well as pathways to becoming a certified teacher.
• Skill Enhancement: Whether you’re new to your role or seeking to deepen your expertise, IPS provides resources and support for continuous improvement.

Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits:

• Fair Compensation: IPS ensures competitive wages and regularly reviews pay structures to maintain equity.
• Extensive Benefits Package: Employees enjoy comprehensive health coverage, dental and vision plans, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement plans. Additional financial benefits include flexible spending accounts and eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs.

Work-Life Balance and Well-being:

• Generous Leave Policies: IPS offers vacation, personal, and sick leave, along with paid holidays. Twelve-month employees benefit from floating holidays, and unused personal leave rolls into the sick leave balance.
• Wellness Programs: IPS prioritizes staff well-being with access to wellness initiatives, including health screenings and an employee assistance program for confidential support and counseling.

What We Expect:

• Professionalism and Reliability: Every role at IPS is vital to the district’s success. We expect staff to demonstrate professionalism, dependability, and a commitment to providing excellent service to students, educators, and families.
• Collaboration and Communication: IPS values teamwork. Working collaboratively with your colleagues ensures a supportive environment for all. Clear communication and mutual respect are key to maintaining this culture.
• Flexibility and Problem-Solving: As a large, dynamic district, IPS needs staff who are adaptable and proactive in solving problems to meet the ever-changing needs of students and schools.

JOIN US!

Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; it’s a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What’s Possible – in your career and in your school. If you’re ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY:

Performs a variety of supervisory, managerial, and administrative tasks to ensure high-quality implementation of special education services and compliance for a K-8, Secondary, or Transformation Zone Learning Community. This is a 12-month administrator position.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

The Special Education Learning Community Director leads, supervises, and manages special education staff that provide direct supports to schools in their designated Learning Community schools. The Learning Community Special Education Director is specifically responsible for the following:

• Provides direct supervision, in partnership with school leaders, to the daily work of special education compliance, instructional coaching, ensuring adherence to established special education law, policies, procedures, and standards
• Serves as principal's first point of contact beyond building based special education staff for issues related to the day-to-day special education support in their school
• Works with principals to resolve school-based special education concerns and problems
• Assists special education Learning Community staff and school principals in setting and attaining goals for student achievement
• Assists in the coordination and articulation of the district's special education programs and services across and between grade levels in their Learning Community with a particular focus on students in the inclusion and resource settings.
• Conducts routine on-site visits of assigned schools in the system; provides specific feedback, support, and suggestions to principals to strengthen teaching and learning for students with special needs
• Supports principals in special education human resource management, including recruiting, retaining, and developing special education staff
• Provides technical assistance to principals in working with marginal special education staff
• Assists principals with special education decision-making and problem-solving
• Resolves difficult special education situations quickly and effectively between schools and parents that are not resolved at the school level
• Assists principals in the development of appropriate professional development programs for special education staff
• With Human Resource support, coordinates the staffing of special education positions and ensures support for inducting and retaining personnel
• Serves as chairperson for manifest determination conferences as needed.
• Perform duties assigned by the Special Education Officer

WHAT YOU’ll BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS:

Critical core competencies for successful performance in this role are:

• Highly-developed communications skills (written/verbal) and interpersonal savvy
• Results/action-orientation; project management skills
• Organizational agility; developed negotiation skills
• Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, diversity and trust
• Able to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
• Strong strategic analysis skills

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:

This role provides privileged access to the inner workings of the IPS Special Education Department and to highly sensitive information. The successful candidate will be discrete, high-energy, agile-minded, strategic, proactive, a direct communicator, highly-organized and committed to the vision and values of Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and the IPS Special Education Department. In addition, the following standards will generally define the successful incumbent:

• Hold or eligible for Indiana administrator and/or director license;
• Special Education certification;
• Master's degree in Education Administration, 3 to 5 years of experience as a practitioner and 3 to 5 years of experience as an administrator; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities;
• Working knowledge of federal and state special education laws, rules, and practices; including IDEA and Article 7
• Broad knowledge of Indiana and IPS special education policies, practices and programs;
• Understanding of IPS Special Education department structures;
• Ability to be creative in developing alternatives to meet IPS Special Education needs;
• A track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of actors;
• Excellent communication skills and strong analytical and writing capabilities;
• Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgment;
• Strong organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills;
• Proactive nature; able to anticipate conflicts before they arise;
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively;
• Ability to execute meetings, calls and emails with professionalism, courtesy and accuracy;
• Personal qualities of maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and diligence; and
• Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to several tasks to ensure completion of all.

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:

Not eligible

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EEOC STATEMENT:

Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

DISCLAIMER:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function.