Job No: 541706
Work Type: Full-time
Location: PHOENIX
Categories: Education/Training
Department of Education The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.
Lead Special Education Inclusion Specialist
Job Location:
Address: Exceptional Student Services Section
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Posting Details:
Salary: $70,000 - $74,800
Grade: 21
Closing Date: 06/21/26
Job Summary:
As part of the general supervision requirements set forth by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §1416(b)(2)(C)(ii) and 34 CFR §300.602, the State of Arizona reports annually to the U.S. Secretary of Education on its performance under Part B of the State Performance Plan (SPP).
Support the statewide design and implementation of professional learning to strengthen Arizona's capacity to meet Indicator 3B (academic achievement for students with disabilities), Indicator 5 (education environments), and Indicator 17 (State Systemic Improvement Plan). It also assists in coordinating and providing targeted technical assistance and professional learning opportunities for dis-proportionality (placement), and Public Education Agency (PEA) determination.
Work closely with the Director and Academic and Inclusive Practices Specialists to enhance and implement targeted technical assistance and professional learning and general professional learning.
Responsible for coaching Academic and Inclusive Practices Specialists, data collection and analysis, project management, and support the on-boarding of new staff.
The lead Special Education Inclusion Specialist will serve as an intra- and inter-agency liaison to support the needed collaborations to impact outcomes for students with disabilities.
This position will serve as a lead specialist and can act in lieu of a director.
Occasional in-state and rare out-of-state travel is required for this position.
The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.
Job Duties:
Participate as a lead specialist, in a facilitation capacity when needed, in various department/division task teams, special projects, and professional learning as necessary to carry out work-related requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, statewide conferences, regional trainings, task forces, and technical assistance centers.
Coordinate schedules, facilities, materials, presenters, and registration for professional learning activities.
Respond to requests for information and/or assistance from school personnel, coaches, presenters, and the public.
Provide guidance daily to other specialists, answering questions related to all aspects of specialist work functions.
As a lead, provide professional learning, mentoring, and coaching to other Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices Specialists in the effective development, organization, delivery, and evaluation of professional learning opportunities, and on-site PEA visits and walkthroughs that build the capacity of specialist to support PEAs to improve systems and instruction toward impacting student outcomes.
Lead efforts to align various professional learning opportunities within ESS and ADE so that professional learning is cohesive, supports systems change, and demonstrates sustainability toward impact and outcomes.
Support the leadership and participate in the Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices units strategic planning process that uses data to identify needs, prioritize technical assistance, and align professional learning to targeted improvement areas within Arizona's general supervision framework.
Serve as a coach/consultant to assigned PEAs, offering technical assistance and professional learning in special education related areas in instruction, systems, and data requirements.
Conduct site visits providing classroom walkthroughs, coaching, and technical assistance to instructional coaches, general and special education teachers, and school and district administrators to promote the implementation of High-leverage Practices (HLPs), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and other evidence-based instructional practices.
Attend conferences, write articles, solicit information from experts in the field, and read newsletters, journals, books, regulations, attorney general opinions, and laws related to special education in order to keep abreast of professional information and issues.
Other duties as assigned as related to the position.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge in:
Understanding of the IDEA/FAPE, and disability categories
Least restrictive environment
Current research on inclusive practices
Collaborative planning instruction between general and special education
Formative assessment practices
Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
Data collection and analysis
Coaching systems
Evidence-based practices/HLPs for students with disabilities
Adult learning theory for virtual learning and in-person professional learning development
Arizona State Standards
Implementation of science & systems change
Trends in special education
A Bachelor's degree in Education or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required
Skills in:
Instructional coaching, cognitive coaching, and mentoring
Organization
Oral/written communication: data collection, analysis, and written reports
Customer service
Presentation to large and small groups
Marketing and development of formal presentations
Project development
Intermediate to advanced: proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
Project and task management
Program monitoring
Budgets
Develop and write reports, proposals, and grant projects
Strategic planning
Ability to:
Organize, prioritize, and work efficiently under time constraints while being flexible in an environment with multiple tasks and changing priorities
Credibility with schools and other stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage change
Successfully work independently as well as in a team environment
High degree of professionalism, integrity, and dependability
Communicate with individuals from varied educational and cultural backgrounds
Maintain accurate records
Develop as a professional educator
Communicate effectively and tactfully in both oral and written forms
Prepare a variety of reports and presentations
Utilize technology for both instructional purposes and to communicate and create presentations and reports
Collect, analyze, and use student data to identify learning needs
Meet schedules and timelines
Selective Preference(s):
Preference will be given to those applicants with:
Certification in special education plus five years serving as a teacher, instructional coach, or administrator in a public school; or
Masters' degree plus three years serving as a teacher, instructional coach, or administrator in a public school; or
Master's degree plus three years serving as an instructional or district coach.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.
If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements. (https://publicstorage.dc4.pageuppeople.com/1045/ClientPublicFile/3601803f-02e5-4b70-b325-26c8ef309c1b.pdf)
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
Benefits:
The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
Ten paid holidays per year
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here (https://hr.az.gov/about/resources/family-leave-expansion) . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page (https://benefitoptions.az.gov/jobseekers)
Retirement :
You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.
Contact Us:
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.
