The Director of Special Education Specialized Programs and Behavioral Supports advances the mission of KIPP Texas by leading the implementation, alignment, and continuous improvement of specialized instructional environments and behavioral support systems for students with the most significant academic, behavioral, and adaptive needs. This position ensures that specialized programs and behavioral supports are delivered with fidelity, meet all local, state, and federal requirements, and are grounded in high-quality, evidence-based instruction and intervention.

This role provides strategic leadership for the implementation and evaluation of specialized special education programs across KIPP Texas — including GAIN, SEAS, SLC, ECSE, and other self-contained environments — and oversees service delivery, instructional quality, staffing supports, behavioral systems, and program effectiveness. The Director also leads network-wide systems for Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), behavioral consultation, crisis response, and mental health collaboration, and partners closely with the Director of Special Education Academics to ensure curriculum, instructional practices, accommodations, and progress monitoring are implemented consistently across specialized settings.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Strategy, Data & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the implementation of the Special Education Strategic Plan across specialized programs and behavioral supports, setting clear performance targets aligned to organizational priorities.

• Use student achievement, functional performance, behavioral, and implementation data to drive decision-making, develop targeted action plans, and monitor progress toward organizational and departmental goals.

• Drive continuous improvement in instructional quality, behavioral systems, and service delivery through collaborative problem-solving and regular reporting to leadership.

Team Leadership & Coaching

• Coach and develop SPED Specialists supporting specialized programs, SPED Behavioral Supports Specialists, and the Lead Professional Counselor (LPC).

• Monitor academic, functional, social-emotional, and behavioral outcomes across specialized settings; provide targeted feedback and support to strengthen implementation and improve student results.

• Support staffing decisions and resource allocation — including program materials, instructional resources, and budget — to ensure specialized classrooms and behavioral systems are appropriately resourced.

Specialized Program Leadership

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of specialized instructional programs, including GAIN, SEAS, SLC, ECSE, and other self-contained settings, ensuring instructional practices align with IEPs, grade-level standards, and functional skill development.

• Establish and monitor quality standards for specialized classrooms across the network; support implementation of curriculum and instructional resources within specialized settings.

• Oversee Extended School Year (ESY) planning and implementation.

Behavioral Supports Leadership

• Lead the network-wide implementation of FBAs and BIPs; develop systems to ensure high-quality behavioral evaluations, intervention planning, and fidelity monitoring across campuses.

• Establish behavioral data systems to track trends, outcomes, and intervention effectiveness; provide consultation and coaching to campus teams on complex student behavioral needs.

• Oversee staff training in de-escalation strategies, positive behavioral supports, and crisis prevention.

Legal Framework, Compliance & Reporting

• Demonstrate deep knowledge of IDEA, Texas Special Education Law and Regulations, Section 504, Dyslexia requirements, FBAs, BIPs, and evidence-based behavioral systems; ensure all programs and supports are implemented with fidelity and remain fully compliant.

• Partner with Compliance and Accountability teams to support audits, monitoring activities, corrective actions, and required reporting.

Professional Learning& Capacity Building

• Design and deliver professional development for specialized program teachers, behavioral specialists, and campus leaders; provide ongoing coaching and technical assistance to improve instructional quality and behavioral implementation fidelity.

• Build campus capacity to effectively support students requiring intensive academic and behavioral interventions.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with principals, regional leaders, and student support teams to align instructional goals, behavioral systems, services, and resources; coordinate with related service providers and external partners to ensure seamless service delivery.

• Partner with the Lead Professional Counselor to ensure effective mental health consultation, risk assessment protocols, and crisis response systems.

• Partner with families and internal stakeholders to strengthen understanding of specialized instructional and behavioral support models; promote clear, timely communication that supports instructional coherence and high-quality service to schools and families.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree required.

• EC–12 Special Education Certification required.

• BCBA Preferred.

• Minimum 3–5 years of leadership experience as a school administrator, Special Education leader, behavior leader, or systems-level leader with demonstrated results.

• Experience overseeing specialized programs, behavior systems, and students with intensive support needs.

• Experience developing, analyzing, and implementing federal, state, and local Special Education regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Experience supporting FBAs, BIPs, manifestation determinations, and crisis response systems.

• Additional certification or training in behavior analysis, crisis prevention, counseling, or related fields preferred.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Outlook, and student information systems.

COMPETENCY AND SKILLS:

• Sets functional direction for specialized programs and behavioral supports, translates organizational priorities into actionable plans, and drives continuous improvement across a complex, multi-site environment.

• Applies deep knowledge of FBAs, BIPs, crisis prevention, and positive behavioral supports to design and oversee effective, compliant intervention systems.

• Leads the design, implementation, and quality monitoring of specialized instructional environments for students with intensive academic, behavioral, and adaptive needs.

• Uses student achievement, behavioral, and implementation data to identify gaps, diagnose root causes, and develop targeted action plans.

• Develops specialists and campus leaders through direct coaching, technical assistance, and professional learning that builds lasting instructional and behavioral capacity.

• Builds trust and sustains productive partnerships across Special Education, campus leadership, families, and external stakeholders.

• Communicates with clarity and credibility across technical and non-technical audiences, including school leaders, families, compliance teams, and executive stakeholders.

• Guides teams and campuses through evolving systems, regulatory changes, and program improvements with strategic sequencing and stakeholder engagement.

• Grounds all program, staffing, and systems decisions in equity, access, and measurable outcomes for students with the most significant needs.

Physical Requirements: 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school throughout the workday.

• The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region. 

Additional Requirements:

• Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campuses

• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.

• Work with frequent interruptions.

Work Environment: 

Hybrid work - Reports to the central office or schools three days a week

Travel Requirements: 

Minimal travel: May travel to other school sites or regional offices for professional learning, meetings and other work related activities.

What We Bring to the Table: 

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families. 

• Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.

• Paid family leave.

• Flexible spending account or high-yield HSA.

• Employee assistance programs. 

• KIPP also offers the following employee-paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance and disability insurance.

EEO: 

KIPP Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP Texas ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the Talent Team.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job duties. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.