Director of Special Education

Wonderful College Prep Academy is a charter network in California's Central Valley committed to providing a world-class education for all students. The Academy's mission is to graduate students prepared to earn a college degree and to set them on a promising career path for life. We believe this begins with a nurturing, engaging, community-centered school environment where students develop a strong and well-rounded academic foundation. Ultimately, this will prepare generations of leaders in the Central Valley who are critical thinkers and life-long learners.

The Academy's first school opened in Delano in 2009, serving students from across the Central Valley in grades 6-12. In 2016, we moved to our new, state-of-the-art college prep campus in Delano. In the Fall of 2017, we added an elementary school in Delano and opened a second charter school in Lost Hills. In Delano, we serve over 1,800 students in grades TK-12, while in Lost Hills, we serve over 400 students in grades TK-12.

All students have access to technology, from hands-on-STEM learning for younger students in a fully equipped "maker's space" to one-to-one school-provided devices for all students. The Academy aims to provide every opportunity for our students that often is not found in public or charter schools, including the ability to graduate from high school with a free associate degree. Through a unique partnership with Bakersfield College, our students enroll in college classes starting in 9th grade and complete all their A-G requirements, in addition to their AS Degree requirements, over the course of four years. In addition, all graduates are eligible to earn a four-year renewable college scholarship through the generous support of Lynda and Stewart Resnick.

We seek thoughtful, inclusive, skilled communicators and creative problem-solvers who value continuous learning and who are excited to serve our students and families. Now is the time to join a team making enduring change within the Central Valley of California and beyond!

Click here to learn more about the Wonderful Company's other great philanthropic partnerships.

To meet the unique needs of our students, the Director of Special Education is responsible for directing the planning, organization, administration, and evaluation of all special education programs and related services affecting the TK–12 instructional program. This includes oversight of student identification, assessment, placement, and due process, as well as leadership in advancing inclusive practices, compliance, and continuous improvement across the district.

Essential Job Functions:

Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Engages in strategic planning through collaboration with school administrators and staff to facilitate the inclusion of Special Education in the site vision process.
• Develops and executes a Special Education strategic plan aligned to district goals, including quarterly updates to the Board of Directors on the status of Special Education services, student outcomes, and areas for growth.
• Provides leadership for the development of district and department goals, policies, procedures, and continuous improvement initiatives related to Special Education, including the design, implementation, and management of inclusive education programs.
• Maintains strong relationships with regional, county, state, and federal agencies, ensuring alignment with current laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Serves as the district’s lead representative for internal and external program reviews, audits, and compliance monitoring.
• Collaborates with legal counsel in mediation and due process hearings.

Program Management & Oversight

• Oversees the design, delivery, and evaluation of all Special Education programs, ensuring high-quality services that promote student growth and access to the general education curriculum.
• Provides consultation and guidance on innovative instructional strategies, inclusion practices, and multi-tiered supports that enhance student learning.
• Recommends and manages the Special Education budget and allocation of resources.
• Supports the assigning and scheduling of Special Education personnel in collaboration with site administrators.
• Determines site placement for SLPs, SLPAs, Psychologists, OTs, PTs, Interns, and other related service providers to ensure balanced and effective service delivery.
• Organizes all aspects of the Extended School Year (ESY) program, beginning early in the calendar year to ensure proactive planning, communication, and staffing.

Staff Development & Collaboration

• Provides a comprehensive professional learning program for Special Education staff, paraprofessionals, and related service providers.
• Facilitates training in required and/or requested areas for administrators, teachers, paraeducators, and other staff to promote equitable, district-wide growth in instructional quality and compliance.
• Establishes and maintains a Special Education Community of Practice (COP) across the district and in collaboration with regional partners to foster a culture of learning, shared problem-solving, and collective efficacy.
• Organizes and leads Special Education team meetings for teachers and specialists to align practice, share updates, and celebrate progress.
• Develops and implements systems to document, archive, and disseminate past, current, and upcoming professional learning across all Special Education programs.

Student Services & Compliance

• Serves as a resource and liaison to IEP teams regarding complex placement and programmatic decisions.
• Participates in and coordinates assessments and Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) as needed.
• Ensures timely and compliant IEP processes, including transition meetings and any alternative placement.
• Provides guidance to administrators, staff, and families regarding modifications to general education programs for students determined to be ineligible for Special Education services.
• Aids students, parents, and staff in solving school-related challenges and ensuring alignment between home and school supports.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Five years of special education experience with a valid California teaching credential or Pupil Personnel Services (“PPS”) Credential
• Two years of administrative or supervisory experience, preferred
• Graduate of a recognized college or university with a master’s level or higher degree
• Bilingual Spanish speaker, preferred

Skills/Traits:

• Proven ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
• Passion for working with traditionally underserved communities
• Capability to manage many complex tasks with competing priorities
• Strong leadership abilities related to conflict management, team building, mentoring, coaching, goal setting, prioritization, strategic planning, and inspirational vision
• Strong written and verbal interpersonal communication skills
• Organized and self-managed
• Excellent problem-solver
• Self-reflective leader who is committed to ongoing learning and growth
• Commitment to our organization's mission and educational philosophy

Working Conditions:

• Environment: Office environment; fast-paced work, constant interruptions.
• Physical requirements: Hearing and speaking to exchange information, make presentations and communicate over the telephone; seeing to read, prepare, and proofread documents and view computer monitors; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting light objects; ability to go to sites apart from primary office to conduct business

Pay Range: $107,000.00 - $157,134.57. Final compensation will be dependent upon skills & experience.

Compensation:

• Wonderful College Prep Academy offers highly competitive compensation, commensurate with experience.
• Full-time staff benefits include medical coverage, dental, vision, and life insurance at no cost to the employee.
• For eligible employees, WCPA contributes 19% to CalSTRS. Alternatively, employees may participate in a 403(b) plan with up to 5% employer match (if not receiving CalSTRS contributions).
• Employees have free access to the Wonderful Wellness Center and gym.

Quality of Life in the Central Valley:

Framed by the Sierra Nevada to the east and the Coast Ranges to the west, California's Central Valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions and the base of The Wonderful Company's agricultural operations. This vast area enjoys a moderate climate and offers residents a high quality of life, low cost of living, and a host of diverse cultural and recreational activities. From wine tasting and hiking to rafting, fishing, skiing, and surfing - all within a two-hour drive - the family-friendly Central Valley has much to offer.

Wonderful College Prep Academy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

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