Special Education Operations (Supervisor #1591)

Position: Special Education Operations (Supervisor #1591)

Inventory#: 1591

Location: Springfield or Chicago

Union: Exempt

Department: Special Education

Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $75,395 - $99,899

Full Salary Range: $75,395 - $124,402

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Posted Date: April 30, 2026

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Reporting to the Director, supervises staff responsible for the review of local education agency IDEA grant applications and other special education functions; directs, oversees and administers programs and operations of the department, with special focus on special education fiscal matters. Provides leadership and direction to educational bodies throughout the state. Serves as liaison between departments and outside educational and professional entities at the state and national level. ​

Duties and Responsibilities:

• ​Coordinates and oversees the accomplishment of department functions and the State's general supervision of special education responsibilities related to fiscal operations.
• ​Initiates procurement processes and procedures in accordance with state and federal regulations for special education contracts including development of requests for sealed proposals and contract reviews.
• ​Initiates requests for proposals for grants.
• ​Assists the Director in the development of the annual department budget.
• ​Assists the Director in the submission of federal grant applications.
• ​Oversees the grant review processes.
• ​Coordinates work around maintenance of effort and excess cost and other federal and state grant requirements.
• ​Collaborates with departments across the Agency and educational organizations to share information regarding special education fiscal matters including making presentations, representing the Agency at state and national meetings and conferences, or producing guidance documents and other resources.
• ​Coordinates and oversees the accomplishment of special education responsibilities related to significant disproportionality and subsequent use of IDEA funds.
• ​Provides support to staff providing technical assistance to districts.
• ​Provides support to personnel responsible for department customer service and department support.
• ​Supervises staff.
• ​Assists in mentoring and training new employees.
• ​Plans, assigns/reassigns, prioritizes, and reviews work assignments.
• ​Approves/denies use of benefit time.
• ​Completes and signs performance evaluations.
• ​Provides technical guidance and direction.
• ​Counsels staff.
• ​Presents documentation of just cause for disciplinary action to the Director of Human Resources.
• ​Other duties as assigned​​

Required Qualifications:

• ​Master's degree, or, a Bachelor's degree plus two years of relevant professional experience with federal or state grants or contracts. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION)
• Two years of experience (in addition to education requirements) within the last five years in working with budgets, grants, or contracts at the local, state or university level.
• Skilled in aspects of fiscal or grant management. ​

Preferred Qualifications:

• ​​Previous training in special education.
• Experience with special education.
• Demonstrated skills in written and oral communication.
• Experience supervising personnel.
• Experience managing large projects and/or special assignments.
• Basic knowledge of general education and special education practices.
• Ability to apply problem solving techniques to complex issues.
• Ability to coordinate the completion of projects and work effectively with diverse teams.
• ​Ability to present complex information to both lay and technical audiences.

ISBE provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We actively foster a culture of inclusion and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Illinois has an urgent and collective responsibility to achieve educational equity by ensuring that all policies, programs, and practices affirm the strengths that each and every child brings within their diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and by delivering the comprehensive supports, programs, and educational opportunities they need to succeed.