What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supervisor of IDEA position at Bucks County Intermediate Unit?
Job Summary: The Supervisor of IDEA is responsible for supervising Program and Training Specialists, overseeing IDEA initiatives, completing the IDEA grant and School-Age Special Education Plan, and managing the Bucks IU Extended School Year (ESY) Program. This position requires leadership, organizational and communication skills, knowledge of special education laws and regulations, and the ability to manage multiple programs, budgets, and partnerships while ensuring compliance and high-quality services.
Core Essential Functions
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Act 93 Physical Demands: This position requires regular onsite presence and includes a combination of sedentary, supervisory, administrative, and active physical duties performed in educational, operational, and program environments. The employee is regularly required to sit, communicate effectively, use hands for computer and office equipment operation, and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with typing, writing, reviewing documents, and data analysis. Frequent activities include walking, standing, reaching, bending, attending meetings, and moving throughout school buildings, offices, program locations, and event spaces to observe, support, and supervise programs and staff.
The employee must be able to occasionally lift, carry, or move files, office materials, technology equipment, supplies, or presentation materials up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds. Depending on assignment or program needs, responsibilities may also include site visits, classroom observations, operational oversight, crisis response, staff supervision, or participation in school and community events across multiple locations.
This position requires the ability to communicate and interact effectively with students, staff, families, community partners, vendors, and outside agencies in a professional, collaborative, and supportive manner. As a leader, must be able to manage multiple priorities, maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and respond appropriately to operational, personnel, student, behavioral, safety-related, or emergency situations. Certain assignments may involve exposure to elevated noise levels, emotionally demanding interactions, behavioral situations, or emergency response circumstances within educational or program settings.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must also be able to hear and interpret verbal communication, environmental sounds, alarms, and other safety-related alerts.
Regular attendance, dependable onsite presence, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the position are required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 260-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; however, hours may vary based on district assignments, program needs, meetings, training, or organizational priorities. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel: Travel is expected for this position and includes travel to client locations, primarily within Bucks County school districts, state-level meetings, intermediate unit collaborative meetings, professional conferences, trainings, and other program-related events. Travel between Bucks IU locations and partner organizations may also be required based on operational and program needs.
Education And Experience
EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.
Primary Location
US-PA-DOYLESTOWN
Work Locations
Bucks IU Administrative Office
Job
Administrative Roles-Act 93 Tiers ABCD
Organization
Bucks IU Business Unit
Schedule
Full-time
Job Level
Manager
Job Posting
Jun 19, 2026, 8:55:56 AM
Core Essential Functions
- Regular attendance and reliable on-site presence.
- Organize the Program and Training Specialist assignments as it relates to the IDEA initiative areas and LEA needs.
- Supervise the Program and Training Specialists to insure a high-quality service to LEAs.
- Serve as liaison with PaTTAN as it relates to IDEA and PDE priority areas.
- Serve as liaison to the local Right to Education Task Force and assist the RTE Task Force as needed.
- Support the IU Leads (Social Worker, BA, Counselor, and Program and Training Specialists) through meetings and other projects including professional development.
- Complete the School-age special education plan by collecting information, speaking with PDE, and facilitating meetings to gather critical information.
- Complete the IDEA grant annually by collecting data, analyzing it, and entering it into the PDE required system.
- Supervise and support the Bucks IU Extended School Year program prior to, during, and after the program occurs.
- Support professional development for Bucks IU staff at the request of special education administration.
- Oversee the annual IDEA budget and work with Bucks IU business office to prepare all required forms, reviews, and audits.
- Prepare and present the documents required for the IDEA fiscal audit with support from the Bucks IU business office.
- Partner with the Bucks IU Programs and Services Division in work related to PDE’s State System of Support (Equity, STEM, A-TSI).
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Act 93 Physical Demands: This position requires regular onsite presence and includes a combination of sedentary, supervisory, administrative, and active physical duties performed in educational, operational, and program environments. The employee is regularly required to sit, communicate effectively, use hands for computer and office equipment operation, and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with typing, writing, reviewing documents, and data analysis. Frequent activities include walking, standing, reaching, bending, attending meetings, and moving throughout school buildings, offices, program locations, and event spaces to observe, support, and supervise programs and staff.
The employee must be able to occasionally lift, carry, or move files, office materials, technology equipment, supplies, or presentation materials up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds. Depending on assignment or program needs, responsibilities may also include site visits, classroom observations, operational oversight, crisis response, staff supervision, or participation in school and community events across multiple locations.
This position requires the ability to communicate and interact effectively with students, staff, families, community partners, vendors, and outside agencies in a professional, collaborative, and supportive manner. As a leader, must be able to manage multiple priorities, maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and respond appropriately to operational, personnel, student, behavioral, safety-related, or emergency situations. Certain assignments may involve exposure to elevated noise levels, emotionally demanding interactions, behavioral situations, or emergency response circumstances within educational or program settings.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must also be able to hear and interpret verbal communication, environmental sounds, alarms, and other safety-related alerts.
Regular attendance, dependable onsite presence, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the position are required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 260-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; however, hours may vary based on district assignments, program needs, meetings, training, or organizational priorities. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel: Travel is expected for this position and includes travel to client locations, primarily within Bucks County school districts, state-level meetings, intermediate unit collaborative meetings, professional conferences, trainings, and other program-related events. Travel between Bucks IU locations and partner organizations may also be required based on operational and program needs.
Education And Experience
- Master's degree required; PDE Supervisor of Special Education, or equivalent, required.
- Five (5) years related experience and/or training.
- Preference will be given to additional certification in Speech/Language, School Psychology and/or Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Prior Program and Training Specialist experience preferred.
- Expertise in planning, supervising, monitoring, and evaluating the work performance of staff.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, especially among colleagues, staff, member districts, agencies, and the general public.
- Knowledge of education budgeting and budget management processes.
- Implementing and planning instructional programming and curriculum; creating and managing effective service delivery models.
- Knowledge of school policies and procedures related to special education and the administration of school district programs.
- Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, regulations, due process, and requirements relating to special education.
- Knowledge of teaching principles, best practices, trends, and approaches in education.
- Experience with curriculum, staff development, budgeting, and contracts.
- Strong organizational, time management and computer skills.
- Specialized knowledge of students with significant educational needs.
- Knowledge and experience with varied systems involving medical diagnosis, appropriate interventions, remediation programs, community resources, transition services, mental health issues, and medically fragile students.
- Ability to travel to many school districts’ sites over many square miles.
EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.
Primary Location
US-PA-DOYLESTOWN
Work Locations
Bucks IU Administrative Office
Job
Administrative Roles-Act 93 Tiers ABCD
Organization
Bucks IU Business Unit
Schedule
Full-time
Job Level
Manager
Job Posting
Jun 19, 2026, 8:55:56 AM