Lead Special Education Specialist

Pathways In Education (PIE) is an Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP) serving grades 9-12 in the Chicago community. PIE emphasizes small group classes, guided independent study, online courses, and experiential learning to address each student’s strengths and needs. This role seeks a Lead Special Education Specialist with a Professional Educator License and an Endorsement in Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) to work at the Ashburn and Brighton Park locations.

• Plan, organize, and direct Special Education programs, supervise program specialists, resource specialists, designated instruction and service providers, school psychologists, and other special education staff.
• Interpret the law and Educational Code; provide guidance on compliance with Special Education law.
• Direct Special Education programs or projects and perform related duties as assigned.
• Train, assist, and supervise staff (e.g., special education teachers, designated instruction and service providers) in planning and implementing individual education programs for children with disabilities.
• Coordinate curricular resources and make them available and effective for personnel who need them.
• Assess program effectiveness to promote the program for individuals with exceptional needs.
• Serve on assessment teams and individualized education program teams.
• Schedule and participate in IEP meetings with students and parents as needed; review psycho‑educational and assessment reports.
• Provide training to general education staff related to support for special education needs.
• Maintain current knowledge of journal articles and case law to share with staff.

• Plan, implement, and evaluate programs.
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Effectively transmit knowledge and skills to others.
• Plan, develop, and conduct meetings and training programs.
• Develop measurable goals and objectives, set priorities, and monitor expenditures.
• Maintain positive working relationships with corporate staff, teachers, parents, students, and others.
• Make presentations to various audiences.
• Deal with challenges inherent in working with multiple school districts and multiple clients.
• Physical abilities: reaching, handling, talking, hearing conversations and other sounds, visual acuity/depth perception.

• Five years of successful Special Education experience.
• Master’s degree with emphasis on specialized training in Special Education curriculum and instruction.

• Current Illinois Professional Educator License with Endorsement in Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBSI).

• Salary Range: $88,000 – $99,000, depending on experience.
• Signing Bonus: $7,000 paid in two installments ($3,500 upon hire and $3,500 after six months of service).
• Comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off, holiday and sick time, medical, vision, and dental coverage, incentives, and an employer‑matched 401(k) plan.
• Opportunities to chaperone students on experiential learning trips and participate in social functions that foster teamwork.

Pathways In Education embraces diversity and is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. PIE is a non‑profit organization that partners with public schools to provide dropout recovery and prevention programs, including blended learning models that focus on academic recovery, experiential learning, and life and job skills development.