Special Education Specialist

• ***YOU MUST HAVE YOUR SPECIAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION*****
• This position will work closely with our Wayne, Oakland, Saginaw, and Genesee community schools.
• The Special Education Coordinator is an individual who works in compliance with additional oversight
• duties. In addition to providing guidance and coordinating the provisions of special education, the
• special education coordinator manages all aspects of the school’s SPED and 504 programs. The Special
• Education Coordinator will serve multiple schools. The Special Education Coordinator should have a
• robust understanding of the special education and Section 504 processes, and state and federal
• compliance requirements under IDEA and ADA Section 504. The Special Education Coordinator assists
• with performing child find activities, evaluations, and develops IEPs and 504 Accommodation plans to
• maintain program compliance. The Special Education Coordinator is able to support the school
• administration with specialized knowledge about specialized instruction and SPED/Section 504
• requirements.
• The Special Education Coordinator is knowledgeable about the needs of students with disabilities and
• ensures that specialized instruction is aligned with IEPs or Section 504 Plans, is data-driven and is
• provided with fidelity. The Special Education Coordinator assists with the designing of and provides
• specialized instruction and oversees the scheduling of Special Education Teachers and Paraeducators to
• ensure the delivery of high quality specialized instruction and supports to students with disabilities. The
• highly effective Special Education Coordinator works collaboratively with the campus Instructional
• Coach/Designee to ensure quality and consistency in the instruction of students with disabilities by
• providing direct and indirect instructional support to all teachers. The Special Education Coordinator
• also supports campus teachers by providing teachers support to improve instruction and increase
• academic outcomes for students with disabilities through professional development and 1-1
• collaboration.
• The Special Education Coordinator position follows a 12-month calendar.

Requirements

Required Education and Qualifications

• Current Special Education Certification
• Strong knowledge of the special education process and state and federal compliance requirements
• Strong knowledge of Section 504 of the ADA and federal compliance requirements
• Strong foundational knowledge in special education and the impact of disabilities on student learning
• Strong knowledge of specialized instruction, differentiated instruction, and inclusion support
• Strong knowledge of data analysis and using data to drive instruction

Desired Qualifications

• 3 or more years of special education teaching experience
• Experience developing and planning specialized instruction based on student IEPs
• Experience with case management and coordination
• The ability to write IEPs and MET reports that meet state and federal compliance requirements
• The ability to write ADA Section 504 Accommodation plans in compliance with federal regulations
• Experience overseeing/collaborating with paraeducators, special education teachers, and other service providers
• Experience collaborating with other teachers to support inclusion and access to grade level standards for students with disabilities

Essential Skills

• A high level of organization and the ability to perform multiple tasks.
• The ability to interact with students, parents, and teachers in a confident and professional manner.
• Familiarity with designing and implementing specialized instruction
• Writing SPED and 504 documents that conform to federal, state and district requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to read, analyze, and interpret information in a variety of formats.
• Display a high level of professionalism in conduct, appearance, and communication.
• Support the value of an education for all students.
• Support the mission and vision of the school.
• Essential Job Duties/Functions:
• Review special education needs of new and continuing students and coordinate services.
• Create and maintain a schedule for special education and related services for students.
• Provide special education services directly to students through direct instruction, co-teaching, inclusion support, or collaboration with special education teachers and/or direction of paraeducators.
• Create and maintain a record of special education and related services provided.
• Maintain all special education and Section 504 documents for the assigned school with 100% compliance, including Initial Referrals, MET reports, IEPs, and Section 504 plans.
• Assist in the identification of exceptional students within the school (child find).
• Collaborate with Instructional Coach and teachers to ensure quality instruction for students with disabilities that is aligned to state standards and school curriculum.
• Support teachers in the implementation of appropriate instructional strategies, modifications, and accommodations for students.
• Provide training to school staff to ensure high-quality instruction for students with disabilities.
• Facilitate the provision of services/assessments/evaluations by contracted service providers.
• Maintain and provide teachers and administration a current special education census regularly.
• Perform educational and behavioral assessments of students including observations, records review, communication with teachers, and formal academic or behavioral evaluations.
• Collect and analyze academic and other student data for instructional decision-making.
• Serve as the point of contact for parents of students with disabilities.
• Facilitate the special education and Section 504 evaluation/reevaluation process.
• Create a master schedule for annual special education and section 504 meetings.
• Coordinate and lead all special education-related parent and team meetings
• Ensure confidentiality of student records in accordance with FERPA and IDEA.
• Support school staff with student scheduling, as assigned.
• Participate in state monitoring activities and corrective action, when applicable.
• Collaborate with the School Leader and Curriculum Coach to compile and analyze data for students with disabilities.
• Respond to parent or staff concerns promptly.
• Act as a resource to all staff regarding the school’s special education and 504 program policies/procedures.
• Support administration in Child Find activities.
• Collaborate with administration on all matters of discipline pertaining to students with disabilities.
• Effectively utilize technology and systems appropriate to the position.
• Attends site and district provided professional development .
• Comply with State Law, School and District policies and procedures.
• Ability to travel to schools.
• Perform other duties and assume additional responsibilities as may be assigned by the Director of Exceptional Student Services and/or the School Leader.