Job Summary

The Supervisor of Special Education provides division-level leadership, supervision, and oversight for Special Education Compliance, Dispute Resolution, Eligibility, Individualized Education Program (IEP) development and implementation, Section 504 compliance, Extended School Year (ESY) services, Community Policy Management Team (CPMT) related special education matters, state reporting, and the Virginia IEP system.

This position supports the Department of Special Education in ensuring that special education and related services are implemented consistently and in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements. The Supervisor serves as a key compliance leader for the department and works collaboratively with school administrators, coordinators, instructional specialists, related service providers, families, and community partners to promote legally sound, student-centered, and consistent practices across the division.

The Supervisor also provides direct supervision and evaluation of assigned special education staff, helping to strengthen accountability, consistency, and department-wide support.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Supervisor of Special Education shall:

• Provide division-level oversight of special education compliance with IDEA, Virginia special education regulations, Section 504, and local procedures.
• Monitor compliance related to eligibility, reevaluations, annual IEPs, amendments, prior written notice, parent participation, discipline procedures, manifestation determination reviews, and required timelines.
• Serve as a department lead for dispute resolution, parent concerns, state complaints, mediation, facilitated IEP meetings, due process preparation, and related documentation.
• Collaborate with division leadership and legal counsel on matters involving potential denial of FAPE, procedural concerns, advocacy, litigation, or formal complaints.
• Provide technical assistance to administrators and school teams regarding Child Find, evaluations, eligibility determinations, IEP development, Section 504, and compliant decision-making.
• Support schools with complex or disputed eligibility, IEP, 504, discipline, placement, transportation, homebound, private day, or service-related decisions.
• Oversee division implementation, maintenance, training, data accuracy, user access, workflows, and reporting within the Virginia IEP system.
• Coordinate, review, and support special education state reporting requirements, including data collection, verification, submission, and follow-up.
• Monitor division performance on compliance indicators, timelines, discipline data, least restrictive environment, transition requirements, preschool indicators, and other required reporting areas.
• Conduct internal audits, file reviews, targeted monitoring, and data analysis to identify compliance trends, areas of need, and corrective actions.
• Develop, review, and update special education procedures, guidance documents, compliance tools, checklists, forms, and training materials.
• Provide division-level oversight for ESY services, including procedures, timelines, staffing, documentation, service delivery, and compliance monitoring.
• Represent or support the Department of Special Education in CPMT related matters, interagency collaboration, private day placements, residential placements, and other intensive student support processes.
• Serves as representative at Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
• Directly supervise and evaluate assigned special education staff and provide coaching, feedback, onboarding, mentoring, and professional support.
• Develop and deliver professional learning for administrators, case managers, teachers, related service providers, counselors, and other staff involved in special education and Section 504 processes.
• Collaborate with the Director of Special Education, department coordinators, school administrators, and division leaders to support department priorities, staffing needs, systemic improvements, and consistent implementation of special education procedures.

 

Minimum Qualifications

• Must possess a Master’s degree with an endorsement in Administration and Supervision (K-12).
• Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, Virginia special education regulations, and related federal and state requirements.
• Experience supporting school teams with complex student needs, parent concerns, compliance matters, and dispute resolution.
• Experience supervising or evaluating staff preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, manage timelines, organize documentation, and support legally defensible decision-making.
• Ability to work collaboratively with administrators, staff, families, legal counsel, community agencies, and division leadership.

 

Supervision Exercised

The Supervisor of Special Education provides direct supervision and evaluation of assigned special education staff.

 

Supervision Received

The Supervisor of Special Education reports to and is evaluated by the Director of Special Education or designee.

 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Work is performed in office, school, and meeting settings. The position requires frequent interaction with administrators, staff, families, students, community agencies, and division personnel. The work involves managing multiple priorities, deadlines, meetings, compliance requirements, and sensitive or confidential information.

The position requires the ability to:

• Sit, stand, walk, and move between schools and office locations.
• Attend meetings during and occasionally outside of the regular workday.
• Use a computer and other office technology for extended periods.
• Communicate effectively in person, by phone, virtually, and in writing.
• Review and analyze detailed records, reports, data, and legal or compliance documentation.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in emotionally sensitive or high-stakes situations.
• Travel between school sites and division offices as needed.
• Occasionally lift or carry light materials, files, training supplies, or equipment.

The role requires sound judgment, discretion, organization, flexibility, and the ability to remain calm and professional when supporting complex, confidential, or disputed special education matters.