Special Education Manager

Position Overview

The Manager of Special Education (SPED) program oversees the program’s daily operations, ensuring compliance with policies, developing reports and forms, and addressing legislative impacts. They manage staff, providing guidance, training, and performance oversight, while also handling complex special education cases and resolving programmatic challenges. Acting as the division’s Authorized Designee, the manager collaborates with external agencies, conducts public outreach, and develops training programs on SPED issues and rights, all while ensuring effective communication and advocacy for students with disabilities.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position)
• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)
• 13-14 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
   

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx 

Essential Functions

• Manages the Division’s Operations of the SPED (Special Education Division) program by developing and monitoring policies and procedures.
• Serves as a full line supervisor to staff of the SPED program.
• Serves as the Authorized Designee for the Special Education Division.  
• Develops formal training programs and informational materials on SPED issues and rights.
• Conducts public outreach regarding SPED and its services, including public and written presentations to explain the program.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college, preferably with courses in social work, human services, social sciences, or special education.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public, human services, social services, disability services or special education program

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers one year performing supervision of staff
• Prefers one year of managing a supportive agency program
• Prefers one year of analyzing administrative problems and adopting effective course of action
• Prefers one year in development or revision of policies, procedures and performance standards
• Prefers one year experience in writing formal reports and formal correspondence.
• Prefers one year experience in gathering, analyzing, and reporting on programmatic statistical data.
• Requires thorough knowledge of special education laws
• Prefers experience in public outreach, public speaking, and training.
• Prefers experience in advocacy, negotiation, mediation or problem-solving.
• Requires experience using a case database system.

Conditions of Employment

• Must complete and pass background check and fingerprinting
• Requires ability to travel performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.  This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

Created in 1979, the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission protects the rights and promotes the welfare of persons with disabilities. A board of 11 commissioners, who serve without compensation, govern the agency. The Commission is an executive state agency created to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. By providing legal representation, investigating complaints of rights violations, and providing state guardianship for Illinois' population with disabilities, the Commission has given voice to those who have previously gone unheard.