JOB SPECIFICATION
POSITION: Senior Exceptional Children/ ESS Specialist
DEPARTMENT: National Academics
LOCATION: Charlotte, North Carolina
REPORTS TO: Sr. National Director of Accessibility
EEO Classification: Professional
FLSA STATUS (Salaried-Exempt, or Hourly/Non-Exempt) Salaried-Exempt
Salary: $80,000 to $90,000 annually
Position Summary
The Senior EC/ESS Specialist is primarily responsible for leading the ESS program, which includes Special Education/Exceptional Children, section 504, EL, and Counseling.
First and foremost, the Senior EC/ESS Specialist is responsible for supporting and developing the leaders of these programs at the Bonnie Cone academies (Bonne Cone Classical Academy, and Bonnie Cone Leadership Academies). Additionally, the Senior EC/ESS Specialist is responsible for executing the short- and long-term priorities for ESS program development in North Carolina in collaboration with the National Accessibility Team, attending to input from the BC academies, and in collaboration with the GH Executive Directors. Last, the Senior EC/ESS Specialist is ultimately responsible for responding to Bonnie Cone Academy and CMO needs relative to service to students touched by these programs.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Academy Leadership Development - Serving and leading the academy program leaders at the Bonnie Cone academies within the broad philosophy of Great Hearts service to all students.
- Supporting Recruiting and Hiring - Assisting Bonnie Cone academies with the recruitment, interviewing, and onboarding of ESS faculty
- Professional Development & Coaching - Directing regional professional development on topics relevant to the service of all students, including coaching academy program leaders and providing training directly to academy faculty and staff as needed.
- Academy ESS Program Advisement - Staying abreast of changes in NC disability law and best practices and adapting/improving Bonnie Cone ESS programs as appropriate and consistent with the GH mission, in collaboration with the National Accessibility Team.
- State Reporting and Monitoring - Ensuring that Bonnie Cone academies comply with state and federal law with regards to service, data collection and confidentiality, and reporting for students in our programs (SPED, 504, EL, Counseling).
- Support on Escalated Cases - Assisting academies with the resolution of parent or community informal and formal complaints.
- Emergencies (typically staffing related) – Supporting a Bonnie Cone academy through a staffing transition, as needed.
- Special Projects – Initiating and completing special projects (e.g. curriculum deployment, guidance documents, research projects, etc.) as needed.
- Program Review – Collecting and analyzing data about academy and student performance and other trends for the purposes of program review and improvement.
- Program Vigilance - Maintaining awareness of and responding to state and national trends, opportunities, and threats to implementation of our programs.
Qualifications, Competencies & Strengths
Education: Bachelor of Arts or Higher Education required
Experience: 5 years’ experience leading special education/exceptional children program in a public school in North Carolina (preferred in Charter).
Special Skills:
- Track record of leading with a servant’s heart
- Track record of the behaviors of a team player
- Passionately committed to the Great Hearts purpose and mission
- High degree of emotional intelligence
- Skill in relationship-building with emphasis on trust and collaboration
- Skill in conflict resolution and mediation
- Organized and systems thinker
Additional Requirements
Type of fingerprint clearance: Must complete criminal history background check per state regulations, which includes state and FBI fingerprint-based checks.
Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
Travel required: Will need to travel locally within North Carolina to the Bonnie Cone academies.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Arts degree or higher
- Five years of experience leading a special education or exceptional children program in a North Carolina public school
- Experience in a North Carolina charter school preferred
- Ability to complete criminal history and state and FBI fingerprint-based background checks
- Leadership experience demonstrating a servant mindset and teamwork
- Commitment to the organization's purpose and mission
- High emotional intelligence
- Relationship-building, trust, and collaboration skills
- Conflict resolution and mediation skills
- Strong organization and systems-thinking skills
What We Do
Great Hearts Academies is a nonprofit network of tuition-free public charter schools and private Christian schools offering classical liberal arts education across Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas with online offerings. Its mission is to cultivate students’ minds and hearts through the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, preparing them for higher education, professional careers, human flourishing, and academic excellence while fostering rigorous study and moral formation.
