Exceptional Student Education Lead Administrator

Job Description

Job Title

Position Title: Exceptional Student Education Lead Administrator

Location: Central Office

Salary: $97,525 - $126,222

Reports to: Exceptional Student Education Senior Executive Director

Bargaining Unit: N/A

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: Telecommuting Eligibility: Eligible for telecommuting, at the discretion of the Senior Executive Director or designee, during the off-season (when schools are not in session) and as operational needs permit.

Position Summary

The ESE Lead Administrator of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) works under the direction of the Senior Executive Director to provide leadership and oversight of special education compliance across assigned schools. This position is responsible for monitoring compliance with federal and state special education laws, regulations, and district policies; supporting principals and school leadership teams; and ensuring consistent implementation of compliance procedures and operational expectations.

The ESE Lead Administrator collaborates with district leadership, school administrators, supervisors, and cross-functional departments to identify compliance risks, analyze data, resolve concerns, and implement corrective actions. The position oversees compliance monitoring activities, conducts audits and reviews, provides technical assistance, and ensures timely resolution of identified issues while promoting consistency and accountability across assigned schools.

This position requires strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to build collaborative relationships, manage complex projects, facilitate continuous improvement, and support strategic district initiatives. The ESE Lead Administrator provides supervision, coaching, and performance feedback to assigned staff, monitors key compliance indicators, and ensures alignment with District priorities and the mission of the Exceptional Student Education Division.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years administrative experience
• 3-5 years of successful experience as a special education provider (ex. Special Education Teacher, Speech/Language Provider, School Social Worker, Occupational Therapist)
• Qualifies for approval under state requirements for Supervisor or Director of Special Education (Full or Temporary Approval)
• Experience and strong orientation toward urban school systems, preferred
• Proven and exceptional leadership skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, verbal and written
• Deep understanding of the foundation of transformative, servant leadership where focus is placed on teaching and learning, resulting in positive outcomes for students and their families
• Bilingual preferred
  
  

Essential Functions

• Organize, supervise, and collaborate with ESE compliance specialists, site-based parent outreach coordinators, ancillary staff, and building leaders to support the implementation of FAPE and compliance with federal, state, and district mandates.
• Attend and actively participate in all assigned department, district, and leadership meetings as directed by the Senior Executive Director or Executive Director.
• Coordinate and facilitate ESE department meetings by cohort and support department-wide initiatives and priorities.
• Manage departmental hiring processes, including job postings, candidate screening, interviews, staffing recommendations, and onboarding support.
• Coordinate and monitor staffing allocations within assigned schools to ensure alignment with student needs, caseload requirements, and service delivery expectations.
• Serve as a liaison between schools, families, central office departments, and community agencies to support the resolution of concerns, constituent responses, evaluations, due process matters, state complaints, and corrective action activities.
• Develop, implement, and monitor systems to ensure the timely completion of annual IEPs, reevaluations, evaluations, and other compliance-related activities within assigned schools.
• Regularly analyze compliance data, service delivery trends, and performance metrics to identify areas of concern and implement proactive solutions to align with Objectives and Key Results.
• Collaborate with Compliance Specialists, school teams, and district leadership to ensure corrective action plans, compliance requirements, and district initiatives are implemented with fidelity.
• Maintain extensive knowledge of IDEA, MARSE, Section 504, special education regulations, and evidence-based instructional practices to support students with disabilities and suspected disabilities.
• Provide ongoing coaching, technical assistance, and professional learning opportunities for principals, assistant principals, teachers, lead teachers, and support staff related to compliance, evaluations, service delivery, and special education processes.
• Develop and facilitate targeted training based on school needs, compliance trends, audit findings, and identified areas requiring additional support or expertise.
• Maintain a regular presence within assigned schools to provide direct operational and compliance support while fostering strong relationships with school staff and stakeholders.
• Meet regularly with School-Based Evaluation Teams (SBETs), ESE staff, ESE Lead Teachers, assistant superintendent, and administrators at schools within the specified cohort to review student needs,monitor compliance, strengthen service delivery, and address barriers to implementation.
• Support schools in implementing intervention processes, evaluations, IEP development, progress monitoring, and service delivery practices that improve student outcomes.
• Represent the Department of Exceptional Student Education at community meetings, school events, district initiatives, and stakeholder engagement activities to strengthen partnerships and promote awareness of special education programs and services.
• Participate in Board of Education meetings, committee meetings, public hearings, and presentations as requested by the Senior Executive Director or Executive Director, providing information, recommendations, and updates related to Exceptional Student Education initiatives, compliance, and student outcomes.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with families, community organizations, advocacy groups, service providers, intermediate school districts, and external agencies to improve access to resources and support for students with disabilities.
• Promote meaningful parent and family engagement by providing training, resources, communication, and support regarding special education programs, services, rights, and processes.
• Ensure timely response and resolution of parent concerns, constituent responses, stakeholder inquiries, and compliance-related matters.
• Maintain consistent communication with students, families, school personnel, service providers, central office departments, and community partners to ensure transparency, collaboration, and shared accountability.
• Develop and communicate policies, procedures, expectations, and best practices aligned to district, state, and federal requirements.
• Monitor and utilize district data systems, electronic IEP platforms, ticketing systems, and Microsoft Office applications to support operational efficiency, compliance monitoring, and accountability.
• Support and oversee the implementation of emergency and centralized evaluation processes, including coordination with School-Based Evaluation Teams and district evaluation staff when necessary.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders while promoting a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous evaluation of the department's strategic plan, ensuring alignment with district priorities, federal and state requirements, and the mission of Exceptional Student Education.
• Establish, monitor, and evaluate departmental Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and strategic goals, using performance data to measure progress, identif barriers, and implement continuous improvement strategies.
• Collaborate with the Senior Executive Director, Executive Directors, and department leadership to develop annual operational priorities, key performance indicators (KPIs), and measurable outcomes that support student achievement, compliance, and organizational excellence.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Executive Director or designee.
  
  

Security Clearance

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method Of Application

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.

DPSCD does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org/compliance.