Special Education Department Chair Jobs
Special Education Department Chair jobs are open across public K-12 districts, charter school networks, and private special education programs, from department lead to senior administrative roles, with specializations in IEP coordination, instructional leadership, and compliance management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Description
Jackson State University (JSU) seeks a dynamic and experienced academic leader to serve as the Chair of the Department of Art. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to academic excellence, faculty development, student success, and the advancement of visual arts education.
This is a tenured, 12-month, full-time administrative faculty position at the Associate or Full Professor level, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Examples of Duties
- Teaching two courses per semester.
- Planning, developing, and administering the department budget.
- Actively seeking and securing external funding through grant writing and fundraising efforts, as well as supporting faculty in grant writing and fundraising efforts.
- Representing the Department of Art effectively to the College of Liberal Arts, university leadership, professional organizations, community stakeholders, and the public.
- Participating in public departmental and university programming.
- Maintaining an agenda of creative and scholarly work.
- Leading department planning that aligns with the University's Strategic Plan while supporting a growing undergraduate program.
- Preparing reports on academic and institutional data.
- Facilitating and maintaining NASAD accreditation.
- Supervising facilities and resources for the art department.
- Organizing recruitment, retention, and advising efforts.
- Leading, mentoring, and supporting a diverse and dynamic faculty by fostering collaboration, encouraging professional growth, promoting excellence in teaching and creative scholarship, and cultivating an inclusive environment that advances faculty achievement and student success.
- Curriculum planning.
- Evaluating and managing faculty and staff.
- Report to the Dean and Associate Dean to perform assigned duties and responsibilities
Typical Qualifications
- A terminal degree (MFA, PhD, or an equivalent terminal degree consistent with NASAD standards) in User Interface (U1) Design or related field (e.g., Web Design, User Experience (UX) Design, Visual Design).
- Demonstrated experience in academic administration and leadership in higher education.
- Direct experience with NASAD accreditation processes and procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to secure external funding through grant writing and fundraising efforts.
- At least seven years of teaching experience and a proven record of teaching excellence at the college or university level.
- A strong record of creative work and/or scholarly research equivalent to the rank of associate or full professor.
- Strong record of service in an academic setting.
Supplemental Information
Candidates are expected to submit: a letter of application, Curriculum Vitae, Vision Statement of administrative philosophy, samples of work as appropriate images of student work and/or examples of published scholarly research. In addition, the candidate should submit copies of transcripts of institutions attended and the names and contact information, including mailing addresses of three professional references.
The Department of Art at Jackson State University (JSU) is an expanding academic program offering a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art with concentrations in Studio Art and Graphic Design. The department serves approximately 100 undergraduate majors. JSU has been accredited by NASAD since 1978, reflecting the university's longstanding commitment to excellence in art and design education. The department is housed in Johnson Hall, a 30,000 built facility, which includes studios and labs for graphic design, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, 2-D design, and sculpture. The ceramics studio is housed in a separate hail. Additional instructional spaces, including an art history lecture room and a drawing studio, are in the Dollye M. E. Robinson Liberal Arts Building.
Description
Jackson State University (JSU) seeks a dynamic and experienced academic leader to serve as the Chair of the Department of Art. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to academic excellence, faculty development, student success, and the advancement of visual arts education.
This is a tenured, 12-month, full-time administrative faculty position at the Associate or Full Professor level, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Examples of Duties
- Teaching two courses per semester.
- Planning, developing, and administering the department budget.
- Actively seeking and securing external funding through grant writing and fundraising efforts, as well as supporting faculty in grant writing and fundraising efforts.
- Representing the Department of Art effectively to the College of Liberal Arts, university leadership, professional organizations, community stakeholders, and the public.
- Participating in public departmental and university programming.
- Maintaining an agenda of creative and scholarly work.
- Leading department planning that aligns with the University's Strategic Plan while supporting a growing undergraduate program.
- Preparing reports on academic and institutional data.
- Facilitating and maintaining NASAD accreditation.
- Supervising facilities and resources for the art department.
- Organizing recruitment, retention, and advising efforts.
- Leading, mentoring, and supporting a diverse and dynamic faculty by fostering collaboration, encouraging professional growth, promoting excellence in teaching and creative scholarship, and cultivating an inclusive environment that advances faculty achievement and student success.
- Curriculum planning.
- Evaluating and managing faculty and staff.
- Report to the Dean and Associate Dean to perform assigned duties and responsibilities
Typical Qualifications
- A terminal degree (MFA, PhD, or an equivalent terminal degree consistent with NASAD standards) in User Interface (U1) Design or related field (e.g., Web Design, User Experience (UX) Design, Visual Design).
- Demonstrated experience in academic administration and leadership in higher education.
- Direct experience with NASAD accreditation processes and procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to secure external funding through grant writing and fundraising efforts.
- At least seven years of teaching experience and a proven record of teaching excellence at the college or university level.
- A strong record of creative work and/or scholarly research equivalent to the rank of associate or full professor.
- Strong record of service in an academic setting.
Supplemental Information
Candidates are expected to submit: a letter of application, Curriculum Vitae, Vision Statement of administrative philosophy, samples of work as appropriate images of student work and/or examples of published scholarly research. In addition, the candidate should submit copies of transcripts of institutions attended and the names and contact information, including mailing addresses of three professional references.
The Department of Art at Jackson State University (JSU) is an expanding academic program offering a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art with concentrations in Studio Art and Graphic Design. The department serves approximately 100 undergraduate majors. JSU has been accredited by NASAD since 1978, reflecting the university's longstanding commitment to excellence in art and design education. The department is housed in Johnson Hall, a 30,000 built facility, which includes studios and labs for graphic design, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, 2-D design, and sculpture. The ceramics studio is housed in a separate hail. Additional instructional spaces, including an art history lecture room and a drawing studio, are in the Dollye M. E. Robinson Liberal Arts Building.
Special Education Department Chair Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsSpecial Education Department Chair Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education22
- Healthcare & Medical Services3
- Science & Research1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in special education department chair jobs.
- Master's degree in special education, educational leadership, or a closely related field
- Active state special education teaching license or administrative certification
- Demonstrated experience developing and overseeing Individualized Education Programs
- Knowledge of IDEA federal compliance requirements and state special education regulations
- Experience supervising, coaching, or evaluating special education teachers and paraprofessionals
- Proficiency with IEP management software such as Frontline, PowerSchool, or similar platforms
Tips for Your Special Education Department Chair Job Search
Tailor your resume for IEP leadership
Hiring committees want to see that you've led IEP teams, not just participated in them. Quantify the number of students served or staff supervised, and name specific disability categories you've overseen, such as emotional behavioral disorders or autism spectrum.
Highlight compliance and regulatory experience
Special education department chair roles carry direct IDEA compliance responsibility. Your resume should explicitly name the federal and state regulations you've worked under, any corrective action plans you've managed, and audit or monitoring cycles you've navigated.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists special education department chair openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target districts during budget season cycles
Most public districts post department chair openings in spring after budget approvals, with a second smaller wave in late summer. Searching during these windows gives you access to the highest concentration of active postings before they fill internally.
Prepare a data-driven instructional leadership example
Interview panels for chair roles almost always ask how you've improved outcomes for students with disabilities. Come ready with a specific example that ties an instructional or staffing change you led directly to measurable progress on IEP goals or state assessment data.
Negotiate for professional development funding
Department chair offers often have more flexibility on professional development budgets and conference stipends than base salary. Ask specifically about funding for special education leadership certifications, state conferences, and paraprofessional training you'll be expected to coordinate.
Special Education Department Chair Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most special education department chairs?
University of Pittsburgh, Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health, and Kennesaw State University are hiring the most special education department chairs right now, with openings concentrated in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Charter management organizations and large urban public districts tend to post the most volume consistently.
How many special education department chair jobs are remote?
About 10% of special education department chair openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include curriculum development coordination, compliance consulting, and district-level program oversight rather than school-based chair positions.
How do you become a special education department chair?
Start by earning a master's degree in special education or educational leadership and obtaining your state's required administrative or supervisory certification. Build several years of classroom experience as a special education teacher, then move into lead teacher or instructional coach roles to demonstrate leadership. Pursue experience with IEP coordination, staff supervision, and compliance management before applying to chair positions.
Can you get a special education department chair job with limited leadership experience?
Some districts hire candidates into chair roles directly from lead teacher or instructional coach positions, particularly in smaller schools or high-need districts with fewer internal candidates. Strengthen your application by documenting any informal leadership you've held, such as mentoring new hires, leading IEP team meetings, or coordinating professional development. A strong compliance background can offset a shorter formal management history.
What does the special education department chair interview process look like?
Most districts run a two-stage process: a screening interview focused on compliance knowledge and IEP experience, followed by a panel interview with administrators, general education staff, and sometimes a parent or community representative. Candidates are typically asked to present a sample professional development plan or walk through how they've handled a due process complaint or compliance concern. Reference checks with former principals are standard before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to special education department chair jobs?
You can find and apply to special education department chair jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your experience, credentials, and preferred location, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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