What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Educational Director position at Hopeful Journeys Educational Center?
Assistant Educational Director
Reports To: Educational Director FLSA Status: Exempt – Full Time
Position Summary
The Assistant Educational Director provides leadership and day-to-day oversight of educational programs in a private special education setting. This role partners with the Educational Director to ensure that all students receive high-quality, individualized instruction aligned with federal, state, and local regulations. The position supports staff development, program compliance, curriculum innovation, and family collaboration—while maintaining direct oversight of both waivered and fully licensed Special Education teachers to ensure consistent instructional quality and regulatory compliance.
The Assistant Educational Director is expected to be a hands-on team player, modeling best practices by occasionally working directly with students, supporting classroom instruction, demonstrating active engagement in staff training, and monitoring classroom safety. In addition, the role requires learning and applying the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) across student programming in close collaboration with the clinical teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Instructional Leadership & Program Oversight
- Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of individualized education programs (IEPs) and related services.
- Oversee daily classroom operations to ensure instructional excellence and adherence to best practices in special education.
- Work 1:1 with students as needed to model instructional strategies, reinforce learning objectives, and maintain a visible presence in classrooms.
- Learn and apply the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to guide instructional design and ensure evidence-based programming for all students.
- Collaborate with clinical teams to integrate ABA strategies into curriculum planning, data collection, and behavior support plans.
- Demonstrate and train staff through hands-on instructional modeling, including discrete trial programming, task analysis, commercial curriculum, and other evidence-based practices.
- Actively monitor classroom safety and crisis-prevention procedures, intervening and coaching staff as appropriate.
- Plan and organize a year-long calendar of student events—including some that occur outside of regular school hours—to support skill generalization, community engagement, and family involvement.
- Assist in expanding on- and off-site vocational and transition programs for students preparing for post-school life.
Staff Supervision & Development
- Directly supervise, mentor, and evaluate both waivered and licensed Special Education teachers, ensuring they meet all state certification and professional practice standards.
- Provide guidance for waivered teachers to successfully complete licensure requirements within mandated timelines.
- Lead professional development initiatives, orientation, and peer-to-peer feedback programs tailored to the needs of both new and experienced educators.
Enhanced Training & Orientation Oversight:
- Provide strong, ongoing oversight of the school’s new-hire orientation and special-education training programs to ensure all staff receive consistent, high-quality preparation.
- Conduct regular classroom observations and provide coaching to strengthen instructional practices, ABA implementation, IEP compliance, and classroom safety.
- Facilitate performance reviews, develop individualized growth plans, and monitor progress toward licensure and professional development milestones.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Ensure all educational practices comply with IDEA, ADA, Section 504, and relevant state regulations.
- Prepare for audits and accreditation reviews, maintaining accurate documentation of student records and program performance.
- Collaborate with the compliance and clinical teams to monitor regulatory updates and implement policy changes.
- Collaborate with the clinical team to ensure all Special Education staff are implementing CALM procedures correctly and to fidelity across all facets of the students’ day.
Family & Community Engagement
- Serve as a primary point of contact for parents/guardians regarding student progress and program initiatives.
- Be an active problem solver for parental and family issues.
- Collaborate in the development of ongoing parent trainings.
- Administrative Support
- Assist with budget planning, scheduling, and resource allocation for educational programs/events.
- Act as acting Educational Director when designated.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field required.
- State certification/licensure in Special Education or School Administration (as applicable) strongly preferred.
Physical Demands:
Frequently standing/walking; occasional bending, kneeling, or reaching; ability to lift/carry up to 25 lbs occasionally (e.g., classroom materials). May provide physical prompting (hand-over-hand) in line with training and policy.
Minimum 5 years of experience in special education, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
Demonstrated experience supervising both waivered and licensed Special Education teachers and guiding them toward successful licensure.
Strong knowledge of IEP development, behavior management strategies, Applied Behavior Analysis principles preferred (training could be provided), classroom safety protocols, and evidence-based instructional practices.
Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and engage families effectively.
Competencies
- Visionary leadership and a commitment to inclusive, student-centered practices.
- Data-driven decision making and strong analytical skills.
- Hands-on instructional leadership with the ability to model ABA-based practices and maintain a safe, positive classroom environment (training on ABA can be provided).
- Ability to build a positive school culture and foster professional growth.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Referral program
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
Work Location: In person
Salary : $95,000 - $105,000