Assistant Director of Elementary Special Education Services & Programs

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.
In Pursuit of this mission, we are looking to hire an Assistant Director of Elementary Special Education Services & Programs. The Assistant Director of Elementary Special Education Services and Programs supports the coordination and delivery of special education services for students in grades K–5 in compliance with IDEA, MARSE, and Michigan Department of Education (MDE) guidance. This role ensures equitable access to instruction and supports inclusive practices across the district.

Job Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or related field preferred

• Valid Michigan School Administrator Certificate or eligibility (Special Education Supervisor approval will suffice) 

• Special Education approval preferred

• Experience in elementary special education and knowledge of MARSE, MiMTSS, and Michigan accountability systems

Job Responsibilities

• Assist in overseeing elementary special education programs across district buildings

• Ensure compliance with MARSE requirements, including evaluation timelines, IEP implementation, and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

• Support IEP development, progress monitoring, and documentation in accordance with Michigan timelines and audit expectations

• Collaborate with building administrators to support implementation of Michigan’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MiMTSS)

• Monitor student achievement and program effectiveness using district and state data (e.g., M-STEP, local assessments)

• Provide leadership and guidance to special education teachers, service providers, and support staff

• Assist with dispute resolution, including parent concerns, mediation, and complaint processes aligned with MDE procedures

• Support compliance reporting, including MSDS submissions and state monitoring activities

• Facilitate and participate in scheduled data meetings

• Assist with staffing, scheduling, and allocation of resources across elementary programs

• Deliver professional development aligned with MDE initiatives and evidence-based practices

• Attend and draft IEP and MDR meetings as Case Manager and/or District Representative

• Support building administrators through guidance and collaboration, and regularly review data together

• Coach and evaluate SE Specialist(s) on supporting teachers and compliance

• Maintain good standing in Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE) and attend PD throughout the year to stay current on certifications

• Review IEPs for new enrollments and complete permission to place forms to share with families

• Other duties as assigned

Work Enviroment and Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
• Must be able to move throughout the building and campus, including classrooms, hallways, and outdoor spaces.
• Frequent verbal communication is required to instruct students, lead meetings, and collaborate with staff and families.
• May be required to stand or walk for extended periods, including during supervisory duties.
• Occasional bending, reaching, or sitting on the floor to interact with students.
• Regular use of computers and instructional technology for planning, instruction, and communication.
• Must be able to lift or carry instructional materials and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.
We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.
Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.
External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.
Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest.Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!
This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).