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North Carolina Connections Academy seeks a highly experienced educational leader to serve as Director of Special Education, providing strategic oversight and leadership for the school's special education program in support of a high‑quality virtual learning environment. This role is accountable for ensuring full compliance with IDEA, Section 504, and North Carolina special education regulations while driving the delivery of high‑quality, student‑centered services for students with disabilities statewide. The Director of Special Education plays a critical role in fostering a student‑ and family‑centered school culture and building strong, collaborative relationships with school leadership, staff, service providers, and external stakeholders.

This is a 12‑month leadership position reporting to the School Leader.

School Summary:

North Carolina Connections Academy is a public virtual school serving students across the state. The school delivers a personalized learning experience through the Connections Academy model, emphasizing strong partnerships with families, high academic expectations, and equitable access to services in a flexible, online setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of special education compliance and service delivery;
• Monitor timelines, evaluations, IEP processes, and documentation systems;
• Ensure appropriate Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) placements;
• Coordinate contracted service providers statewide;
• Oversee testing accommodations implementation;
• Conduct compliance audits and reporting;
• Develop standardized processes and protocols;
• Provide staff training and professional development;
• Collaborate with school leadership and external stakeholders;
• Maintain positive relationships with NCDPI and regulatory agencies;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Capabilities

• Customer Centric: Demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting students and families; uses feedback to improve services and outcomes.
• Delivering Results: Ensures compliance and program goals are met through strong organization, follow‑through, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Effective Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally with families, staff, leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Team Collaboration: Works effectively in a matrixed, virtual organization and builds strong cross‑functional partnerships.
• Accountability & Ownership: Takes personal responsibility for outcomes, compliance, and deadlines.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Special Education or a related field.
• Active North Carolina Special Education license.
• North Carolina administrative license preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in IDEA and special education compliance.
• Experience with contract management and external service providers preferred.
• Ability to travel as needed within the state.
• Technological proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Must be able to use personal electronic devices for two‑step authentication and communication.