Assistant Director of Special Education-Compliance & Legal

Overview

Starting Date: Immediately

CATEGORY: Administrative

TITLE: Assistant Director of Special Education - Compliance & Legal

The Assistant Director of Special Education – Compliance & Legal is responsible for ensuring that the district's special education programs meet all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. This position leads efforts to improve IEP compliance, strengthen procedural safeguards, and ensure timely and accurate documentation across all schools. The role supports schools and staff in maintaining legal integrity in special education services, while building systems of accountability, communication, and trust with families.

• Master’s degree in Special Education or related field
• Valid Arizona Administrative Certificate or ability to obtain
• At least five years of experience in special education with knowledge of IDEA regulations
• Demonstrated success supporting schools with IEP documentation, audits, or due process procedures

Note:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is illustrative only and not a comprehensive listing of all duties.

Legal Compliance & Documentation Systems

• Ensure adherence to IDEA, Section 504, and ADE regulations regarding timelines, IEP development, and procedural safeguards.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking IEP meetings, evaluations, prior written notices (PWNs), and parent communication.
• Review IEP documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with procedural and substantive requirements.
• Oversee creation and delivery of corrective action plans resulting from audit findings, due process complaints, or ADE monitoring.
• Serve as the liaison to legal counsel and ADE regarding compliance inquiries, complaints, and investigations.

Case Management & Timely Process Monitoring

• Monitor caseloads and ensure appropriate timelines for evaluations, annual reviews, re-evaluations, and eligibility determinations.
• Support school teams in maintaining accurate and compliant records in the IEP management system.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to documentation quality and legal defensibility of IEPs.

Staff Support & Capacity Building

• Provide coaching and real-time support to case managers, related service providers, and evaluation teams on documentation and compliance expectations.
• Facilitate targeted professional development on legal trends, due process, and procedural safeguards.
• Collaborate with site leaders to build systems of shared accountability for compliance across school teams.
• Analyze compliance data and timelines (e.g., MET due dates, IEP implementation fidelity) and report progress to district leadership.
• Use findings from internal audits and external reviews to implement corrective action and refine systems.
• Partner with the Assistant Director of Special Education – Behavior and the Director to align monitoring, student outcomes, and family engagement.

The Assistant Director of Special Education – Compliance & Legal works in a professional district office and school-site environment. Collaboration with district leadership, school administrators, special education staff, legal counsel, and external agencies is required. Work is primarily during standard business hours, with possible additional hours to meet compliance deadlines, respond to legal inquiries, attend meetings with families or attorneys, or support audits and due process activities.

Regular travel between the district office and school sites is expected.

The physical demands are typical of a professional administrative role. The employee must be able to sit for extended periods while reviewing documentation and using a computer, and may need to stand or walk during meetings and site visits. Occasional bending, reaching, and lifting of materials weighing up to ~20 pounds may be required. Clear verbal communication and sustained visual attention to detailed documentation are essential.

12 months

Student Support Services

Commensurate with experience (aligned to district administrative salary schedule)

Director of Special Education

Administrative Evaluation

May supervise clerical staff

• Tempe Elementary Schools
• 3205 S Rural Road, Tempe, Arizona 85282
• Phone:
• Email: human.resources

Please note:

The closing date for this posting may be changed at any time without prior notice.