Special Education Specialist

About OpenEd At OpenEd, we’re opening the world to every learner. With over 100,000 students served and growing rapidly, families trust us as a partner to the most precious thing in their lives, their children. Our vision: a future where education is no longer constrained by geography, rigid models, or outdated systems. Our mission: to give every student a customized, world-class education and resources, empowering families and opening millions of doors for learners across the country. Our Culture (The Foundation of Everything We Do) Culture at OpenEd is intentional. It’s defined by what we promote—and what we tolerate. Our latest eNPS (employee net promoter score) of 77 places OpenEd in the top .1% of technology companies. Our values aren't just words; they are non-negotiable principles that guide every decision: - Customer First – Obsessed with delivering value; we fight tirelessly for our learners and families. - Hard Choices, Easy Life – Face challenges directly, swiftly, and transparently. - I Did > We Should – Action over theory; bring experiments, not just opinions. - Learn Out Loud – Share your growth openly; feedback is a gift, ego is the enemy. - Prioritize Ruthlessly – Excellence in the few critical areas over mediocrity everywhere. - Fast AND World Class – Speed doesn’t compromise quality. - Strong Opinions, Weakly Held – Advocate passionately, adjust readily. - Make Others Famous – Elevate your colleagues, partners, and community. About the Role The Special Education Specialist partners with families of students who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to ensure they feel informed, empowered, and confident navigating the special education process. This role provides individualized coaching, education, and ongoing support to help parents understand their rights, prepare for IEP meetings, and choose appropriate curriculum.  The ideal candidate combines knowledge of special education processes with strong relationship-building skills, empathy, advocacy and the ability to translate complex information into practical, family-friendly guidance. This role will involve virtual meetings, and phone consultations across multiple time zones. Flexible scheduling may be required to accommodate parent availability. Your Immediate Impact  In this role, the Special Education Specialist will have an immediate impact by strengthening communication with families, ensuring timely, clear, and empathetic updates, and proactively coordinating supports that address students’ unique needs within an at-home and virtual learning model. This will lead to stronger family partnerships, improved alignment across teams, and better student outcomes from day one. Job Requirements: - Helping families understand special education laws, procedural safeguards, and IEP components. - Partnering with Student Success team to ensure coordinated support during pre-referral process - Providing one-on-one coaching to parents and teachers of students with IEPs. - Preparing parents and teachers for IEP meetings by reviewing documents, clarifying goals, and identifying questions or concerns. - Supporting understanding of related services in a virtual learning environment (speech, OT, PT, counseling, etc.). - Monitoring and responding to parent inquiries submitted through the Special Education email inbox. - Implementing and documenting Open Ed’s pre-referral process  - Tracking trends and common family concerns to inform program improvement. - Developing parent-friendly resources and toolkits. - Facilitating workshops or webinars on special education topics. - Maintaining accurate documentation of coaching interactions. - Serving as subject matter expert on the parent experience for OpenEd families of students with IEPs - Ensuring confidentiality and compliance with FERPA and other applicable regulations. Who You Are - A professional with a strong understanding of Special Education procedures and a passion for supporting diverse learners in non traditional learning environments - A clear, compassionate communicator who builds trust and maintains strong relationships with families - Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in managing multiple priorities - A collaborative team player who can synthesize information from multiple sources to support student success and ensure alignment This role will excite you IF: - You are passionate about empowering parents of students with IEPs to feel confident, informed, and heard. - You enjoy coaching adults and helping them prepare for important conversations and meetings. - You thrive on building trust through responsive, thoughtful communication. - You are motivated by improving the parent experience and influencing organizational practices. - You care deeply about compliance, while also recognizing that compassion and clarity shape family trust. - You are comfortable serving as the internal expert on the IEP parent journey and advising cross-functional teams. Team & Autonomy This is a full-time position. The Special Education Specialist  reports directly to the Specialized Student Services Manager and collaborates closely with other teams to ensure alignment, strong communication, and compliance with partner expectations.  Required - Bachelor’s degree in Education, Special Education, Social Work, or related field. - 3+ years of experience working with students with disabilities or supporting families in educational settings. - Strong knowledge of the IEP process and special education regulations. - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. - Experience as a special education teacher, case manager, or parent advocate. - Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, and ADA requirements. - Experience facilitating meetings or coaching adults. - Ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism and empathy. Company Benefits: - Competitive starting pay of $29.00-$31.00  an hour - Part-time Benefits: Dental, vision, accident, critical illness, voluntary life insurance, retirement, and paid holidays. - Flexible Work Arrangement: We’re a fully remote workforce that emphasizes a healthy work-life balance by allowing some autonomy in work hours. - Supportive Team Environment: Join a supportive and collaborative team environment where your contributions are valued, and teamwork is encouraged, fostering a culture of success and mutual respect. EEO Statement OpenEd is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.  OpenEd participates in E-Verify.