Arizona Department of Education

Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Section
Phoenix Location

Salary: $78,000 - $82,500 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 03/08/26

• Under the supervision of the Assistant State Director for Special Education, this position will supervise the development and submission of the State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR), State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP), and required special education data analysis activities in alignment with the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) guidance and expectations.
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel is required for this position.

Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

• Plan, organize, and lead Results Driven Accountability (RDA) initiatives, including development and submission of the SPP/APR and the SSIP, in alignment with OSEP guidance and expectations
• Plan, organize, and lead Results Driven Accountability initiatives, including PEA determinations, CCEIS and significant disproportionality, in alignment with OSEP guidance and expectations
• Lead strategic use of special education data to inform policy decisions, improve student outcomes, and support continuous improvement efforts within ESS
• Provide professional development on federal reporting data and requirements with both internal and external constituents
• Provide support within ESS to ensure team members understanding around data literacy to inform database decision making within ESS
• Effectively supervise and coach RDA specialists to facilitate performance, ensure completion of reporting obligations, and maintain positive morale

Knowledge in:
• Special education law and policy
• Special education philosophy and practices
• Management principles and practices
• Data systems and educational outcomes analysis
• Continuous improvement strategies
• Public relations
• Legislative processes
• Understanding of public education agency operations
• Education administration
• Understanding of database concepts and processes
• A bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field, or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required.
• Applicants must have supervisory experience.

Skills in:
• Leadership, coaching, and supervision
• Strategic communication
• Data-informed decision making
• Project and program management
• Public speaking
• Relationship management
• Interpersonal relationships
• Team and culture building
• Group facilitation
• Computer skills with a heavy focus on databases, data collection, and reporting

Ability to:
• Mission thinking
• Policy interpretation and implementation
• Strategic planning
• Analytical reasoning
• Adaptability and problem solving
• Ethical leadership

Preference will be given to those applicants with:
• Master’s degree in special education or equivalent
• Experience with data governance and information management systems
• Understanding of ADE data collection, flow, and process (AzEDS and IDEA related data reporting)

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.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

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. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

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.

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.

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Call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.