Special Education Specialist

About the role

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 20 tuition-free, open-enrollment charter public schools, within 17 Local Education Agencies (LEA), educating more than 10,000 students and supporting 8,300 alumni to and through college and beyond. Our award-winning schools are part of the national KIPP network, dedicated to meeting the needs of all learners and providing the social, emotional, and academic support for success in high school, college, and life.

The Special Education Specialist provides direct, school-facing support to ensure strong implementation of special education programming, instructional practices, and compliance systems across a portfolio of schools. This role works closely with the Associate Director of Special Education to support schools through coaching, problem-solving, implementation support, and day-to-day follow-through. The Specialist succeeds when schools experience responsive, consistent support that strengthens execution, improves coordination, and helps ensure students with disabilities receive high-quality, aligned services and instruction. You should apply if you are a highly organized and student-centered educator or support professional who enjoys working closely with schools to strengthen implementation, solve problems, and support teachers and leaders in real time. You are responsive, collaborative, and comfortable balancing compliance, instructional support, and day-to-day operational follow-through. You thrive in school environments, build strong relationships quickly, and are energized by helping turn systems and expectations into strong day-to-day practice for students with disabilities.

This position demands a professional who balances compliance requirements with instructional coaching and day-to-day operational needs. You will be a key partner in ensuring that students with disabilities receive the coordinated support they need to thrive. You will build trusting relationships with school teams while maintaining a joyful, student-centered approach to problem-solving.

What you'll do

Coordinate the execution of special education initiatives across multiple school sites to ensure consistent implementation. Provide hands-on coaching to school leaders and teachers on instructional practices for students with disabilities. Partner with families and communities to build trusting relationships that support student success. Solve complex problems in real time by identifying barriers and developing actionable strategies with school teams. Monitor compliance systems and ensure that all special education requirements are met accurately and timely. Facilitate collaboration among school staff to improve coordination and alignment of services for students. Support the collection and analysis of data to inform instructional decisions and drive continuous improvement. Guide schools through day-to-day follow-up to ensure that individualized education programs are executed with fidelity. Help translate high-level policies into practical steps that teachers can implement in their classrooms. Serve as a reliable resource for schools, offering responsive support that strengthens their confidence and capacity. Champion joyful and rigorous learning environments where students with disabilities can pursue their chosen paths. Work closely with the Associate Director of Special Education to advance the goals of KIPP SoCal's mission.

Requirements

You are a highly organized and student-centered educator or support professional who enjoys working closely with schools to strengthen implementation. You thrive in school environments, build strong relationships quickly, and are energized by helping turn systems and expectations into strong day-to-day practice. You are responsive, collaborative, and comfortable balancing compliance, instructional support, and day-to-day operational follow-through. You do the right thing, even when it is not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti-Blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice. You persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow in the service of students. You set ambitious goals and hold yourself and others accountable for students achieving their greatest potential. You work in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world for all learners. You are committed to providing social, emotional, and academic support that prepares students for college, career, and beyond.

Practical notes

The anticipated start date for this position is mid-to-late August, indicating a need for immediate engagement. This is a full-time position that requires on-site presence in the Los Angeles area as needed. Travel between schools within the portfolio may be required to provide consistent support. No specific visa sponsorship details are provided in the source material. No compensation details are included in the source material for this position.