Position Description

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Special Education, the Special Education Coordinator, will assess the needs of students and supports the district instructional program in their education goals. To provide coordination and supervision to all special education programs in the school district and ensure appropriate special education services to all students with disabilities. To recommend the development and/or expansion of services nad programs as needed, to provide assistance and support to teachers and to assist special education students and parents in such a manner as to assure that students have a full and appropriate educational opportunity. Develop related goals, objectives and recommending policies, planning, implementing and working with staff and serving as a resource of information to ensure that procedures are appropriate in relation to policies required by state and federal regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Valid California Administrative Credential
• Valid California Education Specialist Instruction (Moderate/Severe) Credential
• Master’s Degree in Special Education
• Experience in teaching students on autism spectrum
• Experience in behavior modification techniques
• Experience in development of individualized educational programs
• Experience in supervision of instructional staff
• Experience in development and coordination of instructional teams including parents, teachers, and instructional aides
• Experience in determining and providing staff training

Examples of Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with others (e.g. district superintendent, teachers, building principals, other professional staff, parents groups, community organizations, public agencies, etc.) for the purpose of implementing and maintaining services in accordance with programmatic and regulatory requirements
• Consults with district’s special education/general education staff for the purpose of maintaining existing programs and implementing new services in accordance with established time frames, professional standards and related requirements
• Develop long and short range plans in relation to assigned administrative responsibilities for the purpose of implementing regional special education programs/services and complying with local, state and federal regulations
• Develop proposals, new programs and grant opportunities for the purpose of ensuring compliance with local, state and federal regulations and meeting district goals
• Direct the implementation of existing and new programs/services through a combination of delegation and personal involvement for the purpose of ensuring new programs/services are provided within established time frames in conformance with all related requirements
• Facilitates meetings that may frequently involve a range of issues for the purpose of evaluation situations, identifying appropriate actions, developing recommendations and/or implementing desired program changes
• Monitors a variety of administrative processes for the purpose of preparing reports, etc., ensuring compliance with local, state and federal regulations, admitting and placement of students and referrals

• Prepares a wide variety of often complex materials (e.g. plans, funding requests, reports and analyses, recommendations, procedures, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities and issues, meeting compliance requirements, providing audit references, making presentations, and/or providing supporting materials for requested actions
• Presents information on a variety of topics related to administrative responsibilities (e.g. financial information, overviews of programs/services, policies and procedures, etc.) for the purpose of providing general information, training others, implementing actions, etc.
• Researched information required to manage assignments (e.g. relevant policies, new federal and state statutory regulations, staffing requirements, financial resources, etc.) for the purpose of developing new programs/services, ensuring program compliance with relevant federal and state requirements, securing general information and/or responding to requests
• Responds to inquiries of staff, district personnel, other professional organizations, etc. for the purpose of providing information and/or direction as may be required
• Responds to issues involving staff, conflicts in policies and regulations, community concerns, parents requests that may result in some negative impact and/or liability, if not appropriately addressed for the purpose of identifying the relevant issues and recommending or implementing a plan of action that will effectively resolve the issues
• Serves as a resource to district personnel and as a liaison to various agencies (e.g. district committees, interagency boards) for the purpose of explaining procedures conveying and/or receiving information as needed for planning, developing and evaluation of services related to special education
• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities
• Assists with outreach and involvement of special education parents
• Observes, consults and evaluates or assists in the evaluation of Special Day Class Teachers, Resource Specialists and Designated Instructional and Service Personnel
• Performs educational assessments of students, including observation of student, review of the student’s education history, conferences with the student’s teachers, and an evaluation and analysis of the student’s academic performance and learning characteristics
• Coordinates Mental Health referrals and placements
• Maintains confidential records on all referred students and student/parents contacts in accordance with federal and state law, Board policy and the procedure of the District’s special education program
• Assists in due process hearings, medications, and compliance investigations
• Assists in the implementation and coordination of the Parent Advisory Council
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• District operations
• Personnel practices
• Identification, placement and instruction of special education students

Ability to:

• Provide leadership and oversee the coordination and implementation of Special Education programs
• Supervise and evaluate psychologists, speech therapists, teachers, paraprofessionals and other support staff
• Work and communicate effectively with individuals and groups

• Demonstrate organizational and administrative ability to previous work assignments
• Demonstrate skill and providing support and assistance to staff, students and parents
• Understand growth and development and problems associated with students identifies with special education needs
• Demonstrate knowledge of Federal and State laws associated with special education
• Have demonstrated competence in administering policies and practices where appropriate
• Ability to prepare for and represent the District in Special Education Mediations and Hearings

Supervised by:  Assistant Superintendent and/or designee

Directed by:  Assistant Superintendent and/or designee