SPED Director

The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students is a multifaceted special education program, designed specifically for students with emotional disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities or other educational challenges. Austin Centers currently serves over a thousand students per year from more than 100 school districts and charter schools on all our campuses. Our Vision: To ignite a brighter tomorrow for every child and youth, regardless of their struggles, by providing unwavering support, world-class education, and a nurturing environment.

Director of Special Education – Colorado

Location: Denver Metro Area, Colorado
Reports To: Executive Leadership Team
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

About The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students (ACES)

The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students (ACES) is a multifaceted special education program dedicated to helping students overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and reach their full potential. ACES serves students with autism, emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities, and other unique educational needs through highly specialized educational programs and individualized support. ACES' vision is to ignite a brighter tomorrow for every child and youth by providing unwavering support, world-class education, and a nurturing environment.

As ACES continues to expand its Colorado footprint, we are seeking an experienced and highly knowledgeable part-time Director of Special Education to lead compliance, district partnerships, and program quality across our Colorado campuses. 

Position Summary

The Director of Special Education serves as ACES' Colorado special education authority and strategic leader, ensuring full compliance with Colorado Department of Education regulations, Colorado special education law, IDEA, and all applicable federal and state requirements.

This role will initially oversee student placement, compliance, and special education operations for ACES’ campuses in the Denver metropolitan area while building the systems, partnerships, and infrastructure necessary to support future expansion throughout Colorado.

The ideal candidate possesses extensive Colorado special education leadership experience, strong district relationships, and a deep understanding of serving students with complex behavioral, emotional, developmental, and educational needs in specialized educational settings.

Essential Responsibilities

Colorado Special Education Leadership & Compliance

• Serve as ACES' primary expert on Colorado K-12 special education regulations, CDE guidance, IDEA, FERPA, Facility School and Specialized School standards with CDE and related state and federal requirements.
• Attends and participates in Facility School and Colorado Department of Education meetings.
• Ensure all Colorado campuses maintain full compliance with special education regulations and contractual obligations.
• Develop and oversee compliance monitoring systems, internal audits, and corrective action plans.
• Review and monitor IEPs, evaluations, eligibility determinations, manifestation determinations, progress reporting, and service delivery documentation.
• Lead preparation for CDE reviews, monitoring activities, audits, and investigations.
• Stay current on changes in Colorado in special education law and communicate regulatory updates to organizational leadership.
• Develop policies, procedures, and training programs that ensure consistency and compliance across all Colorado locations.

Student Placement & District Partnerships

• Serve as the primary liaison with school districts, administrative units, BOCES (, charter schools, and educational partners regarding student referrals and placements.
• Review student referrals and placement requests to determine program appropriateness and readiness.
• Collaborate with district special education directors and IEP teams regarding placement decisions, transitions, and service planning.
• Participate in IEP meetings, placement meetings, manifestation determinations, dispute resolution processes, and district consultations.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Colorado district leaders and state education stakeholders.
• Support enrollment growth through effective referral management and exceptional district partnership practices.

Program Quality & Educational Oversight

• Partner with campus administrators to ensure high-quality implementation of individualized educational programming.
• Monitor fidelity of IEP implementation, behavioral interventions, accommodations, modifications, and related services.
• Analyze student outcomes, compliance, enrollment, and referral data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Establish quality assurance systems that support consistency across campuses.
• Ensure educational practices align with ACES' mission of helping exceptional students achieve exceptional outcomes.

Leadership & Staff Development

• Provide coaching, mentorship, and technical assistance to principals, special education teachers, related service providers, and support staff.
• Develop and facilitate professional learning related to Colorado special education regulations, procedural safeguards, compliance, and best practices.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and development of special education professionals.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, excellence, and student-centered decision making.

Strategic Growth & Expansion

• Serve as a key leader in ACES' Colorado growth strategy.
• Design scalable systems and operational frameworks capable of supporting multiple campuses statewide.
• Assist with planning and launching future Colorado locations.
• Support district outreach efforts and expansion of referral partnerships.
• Represent ACES at state, regional, and professional meetings related to special education and specialized programming.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree or higher in Special Education, Educational Leadership, School Psychology, or related field.
• Current Colorado Special Education Director license or eligibility to obtain.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in Colorado special education programs.
• Extensive knowledge of Colorado Department of Education regulations and Colorado special education law.
• Demonstrated experience managing IDEA compliance, IEP processes, evaluations, eligibility determinations, and due process matters.
• Experience working directly with Colorado school districts, administrative units, or BOCES.
• Strong understanding of programming for students with autism, emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, and significant behavioral needs.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel regularly between Colorado campuses and district partner locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Colorado Special Education Director license.
• Experience in a private day school, therapeutic school, alternative education, or specialized special education setting.
• Experience overseeing multiple campuses or programs.
• Experience supporting enrollment growth through district partnerships and referral development.
• Experience leading state monitoring responses and compliance improvement initiatives.
• Existing relationships with Colorado district special education leaders and educational agencies.

Why Join ACES?

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of specialized education in Colorado. As ACES continues to grow, the Director of Special Education will play a critical leadership role in expanding access to high-quality educational opportunities for students with complex needs while building a scalable, compliant, and student-centered system of support.

You will have the opportunity to influence strategy, strengthen district partnerships, develop future leaders, and help create exceptional outcomes for students who benefit most from specialized educational environments.

First-Year Success Measures

• Maintain exemplary compliance across all Colorado campuses.
• Strengthen relationships with referring districts and educational partners.
• Improve referral and placement processes.
• Implement a comprehensive compliance monitoring framework.
• Establish scalable systems to support future Colorado expansion.
• Serve as the trusted Colorado special education expert for ACES leadership, campuses, and district partners.

Pay Range$90,000—$105,000 USD

Joining our team means that you are part of a passionate team of professionals dedicated to meeting the needs of our exceptional students. Austin Centers is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, regardless of their background or identity.

Come help us empower bright futures: transforming lives, one student at a time!