Special Education Supervisor Jobs in the United States

Special Education Supervisor Jobs Overview

Special education is a rewarding field that focuses on bringing out the best in students with special needs. If you’ve developed a passion for teaching or working with people with special needs, consider finding special education supervisor jobs that involve administering and overseeing school programs.

A supervisory role will include tasks like balancing budgets and coordinating community relationships while ensuring that students get the care they deserve. You’ll also work with other educators and help develop your department’s approach to learning.

As a special education supervisor, you can work in a school dedicated entirely to special needs children or oversee a special education department in a traditional public school. According to national labor data, special education is among the most in-demand teaching fields.

Salary for Special Education Supervisor Jobs

The median wage for a director of special education, which can include special education supervisors, is $91,996 a year. Because this position requires specialized skills, directors of special education usually earn more than standard teachers or administrators in traditional education.

Your salary can vary depending on the duties you perform and the organization you work for. The annual salary for this role ranges between $58,148 and $116,916. The highest paying cities for special education supervisor jobs are:

• New York, NY
• Los Angeles, CA
• Chicago, IL
• Dallas, TX

How much money can you make as a supervisor in your area? To find out more about the salary for special education supervisors, check out our helpful salary calculator.

Finding the Right Special Education Supervisor Job for You

Consider your lifestyle needs and career goals when searching for special education supervisor jobs. Here are some essential factors to think about when looking at job listings.

Public vs. Private Schools

One of the first questions to ask yourself is whether you want to work at a public school or a private school. Public schools often have more regulations and bureaucracy than private schools, but on average, they pay more.

Private schools are often more flexible because they are run independently. They can offer unique services and teaching styles that might make your job more rewarding.

Types of Care

Perhaps your focus within special education is children with physical disabilities or children with developmental delays. Consider this and find a job where your unique skill set will be especially useful. For example, if your specialty is working with students with ADHD, you might enjoy working in a school with a dedicated curriculum for ADHD students.

Of course, many special education supervisors have general skills, like organizational abilities and team-leading, that will work well in a variety of jobs. However, if you're passionate about a specific branch of this career, such as working with at-risk children, it's worth looking for a job that focuses on that area.

Level of Responsibility

Special education supervisor jobs can vary greatly when it comes to daily tasks. In some cases, you might be overseeing a few teachers and student aides, but in other cases, you might be running an entire school with multiple classes and programs. Look for a position that suits your skills and career experience.

Applying for Special Education Supervisor Jobs

Once you find the perfect job for you, it's time to craft an application that will score an interview. Here are some tips for designing an application that lets your skills shine.

Review the Job Posting Carefully

Read over the job posting right before you apply. Make note of the skills and qualifications it asks for so that you can include these details in your application. See whether they ask for specific educational achievements, like a doctorate in special education.

By subtly mirroring the wording in the job posting, you can show you're the best candidate for the job. Look for common keywords like learning disabilities, curriculum development, behavior management, and differentiated instruction, and be sure to mention these concepts in your resume.

Design an Appealing Resume

Your resume provides a brief overview of your career and education history. Create a cleanly formatted, single-page document with headers and bullets that describe your past job duties. If you aren't sure how to format your resume, check out this assistant principal resume for inspiration.

Be sure to list out your work skills clearly, as hiring managers will often scan these keywords when reviewing applications. Some valuable skills for special education supervisor jobs include:

• developed Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
• mentored teachers seeking professional development
• provided direct instruction for students with special needs
• created and implemented behavior plans
• oversaw assistive technology integration
• proficient in special education laws and regulations

To make sure you put your best foot forward, try our Monster Professional Resume Writing Service. Our experts will learn about your experience and craft a custom resume just for you.

Write a Good Cover Letter

Many special education supervisor jobs require a cover letter. This letter allows you to show your personality and provide more details than your resume does. You can include why you chose special education and ways you've helped your past employers improve their special needs programs.

As this education cover letter example shows, you can also use the letter to emphasize your interest in the position. Consider writing about why this job position excites you and why you want to work at this school.

Submit Your Application

Once you have all these documents ready, you can submit your application on Monster. Start by signing up for a free account to access helpful services like resume reviews.

Next, we'll guide you through each form you need to fill out. Take your time and double-check the application carefully for any errors. Read the employer's requirements, and make sure to provide all the information they requested.

Tips for Following Up Afterward

After you apply, it's useful to follow up with an employer. You'll want to do so if you haven't heard back within a week

.

To follow up, start by finding the contact information in the job listing. If there's no direct contact, look up the company's human resources or hiring department, and direct your email to them.

When writing a follow-up email, use these tips from professional recruiters. Keep the email short, emphasize your interest in the job, and explain why you'd be well-suited to the position.

Interviewing for Special Education Supervisor Jobs

If your application is successful, you'll get a request for an interview. This is your chance to impress the hiring manager, so make sure to prepare carefully. Here are some tips for doing your best during the interview.

• Research the school ahead of time and work some references to their culture and mission into your interview responses.
• Look up common interview questions, and think of ways you could answer them while highlighting your skills.
• Prepare for both standard behavioral questions, like "How would you resolve an issue with a concerned parent?" and skill-based questions like "How would you balance a budget with QuickBooks?"
• Be flexible about how your prospective employer will interview you for special education supervisor jobs. Some schools may interview you via video call or while strolling on school grounds.
• Include concrete examples of past successes in your answers. For example, if asked how you would resolve a dispute, mention a past situation where you helped two coworkers get along better.
• Always be friendly, polite, and warm during the interview. You need to show that you have the skills necessary to form good relationships with your colleagues.
• Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview.
• If you don't hear back within a week, email or call to ask for feedback on the interview.

How to Analyze a Job Offer

The final stage of the job hunt is figuring out how to deal with a job offer. Start by thanking them politely for the offer and asking how much time you have to respond. Most schools will give you a few days and send you a formal job offer document to review.

When looking at the job offer, examine the full list of job duties to ensure you're able to handle them. Next, make sure the salary and benefits provide fair compensation for the work you'll be doing.

If you're attracted to the job, but its compensation is not on par with that of other special needs supervisor jobs, negotiate. Arm yourself with research on how much most special needs supervisors make, and politely ask the school if they'd be willing to make their job offer more competitive. You can also ask for nonfinancial benefits like additional aides to help with your job or more independence when making decisions for your department.

Career Paths for Special Education Supervisors

Since this is a managerial position that usually requires a master's degree, you have a lot of growth opportunities. Many special education supervisors aim to advance further in school administration. Your skills can make you a good fit for principal jobs or another type of education administrator career.

Some people with special education supervisor jobs also decide to use their skills in other childcare fields. You could gain additional education and become a child psychiatrist or a special needs advocate.

The valuable role that special education supervisors occupy continues to grow, so be on the lookout for new job opportunities that offer more responsibility. Supervisors who keep up with industry trends, like including special needs students in standard classes, may be in high demand.

Similar Occupations

As you review postings for roles in special education, here are some similar jobs to consider:

• special education teacher
• special education paraprofessional
• social worker
• school superintendent