TITLE: COORDINATOR, SPECIAL EDUCATION

REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education

FUNCTIONS:  Under general direction, to assist in implementing a comprehensive special education program for the school District; to assist in the development of individualized education programs; to participate in performance evaluations of selected employees; to assist the Director of Special Education with specified projects related to special education services; and to perform other related duties as required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Observes and consults with Special Education teachers to assist with instructional methods, placement, and scheduling procedures.  E

Assists in program planning, utilization of existing school resources, and development of individualized education programs (IEPs).  E

Coordinates curricular resources for Special Education programs and plan workshops or inservice activities for teachers, administrators, and parents.  E

Assists the school principal and Special Education Director in assessing the effectiveness of Special Education programs and make recommendations for improvement.

Serves as a resource person to schools, parent groups, and others, to include Special Education as part of the total staff development activities.  E

Participates as a member of the Special Education department team in scheduled meetings to plan and coordinate department activities.  E

Participates in IEP team meetings, writing innovative programs, and developing materials for Special Education.  E

Works with other management personnel to develop and/or change District policies and procedures for maintenance of complaints, high quality instructional programs and effective support services in Special Education.  E

Works with school site personnel to assist them in implementation, management and improvement of the Special Education program.

Consults with principals in evaluating Special Education instructional program effectiveness.  E

Works with summer school administrators and summer school instructional programs.

Assists in the selection and assignment of certificated and classified Special Education personnel.

Assists with supervision and evaluation of Special Education personnel.  E

Participates in the evaluation, selection, and acquisition of instructional materials for all levels of Special Education programs, and facilitates their adoption and distribution.

Represents Special Education as needed in curriculum development activities.

Conducts meetings for Special Education teachers to keep them abreast of current trends in education and their application, as well as procedures and legal requirements.  E

Coordinates Special Education staff development activities and assists Special Education teachers to develop appropriate training for school staffs and individual teachers, including appropriate strategies and techniques to modify educational programs for Special Education students at all levels.  E

Coordinates efforts of Special Education teachers, assisting them with methods and strategies to implement individual students' IEPs and appropriate learning strategies.

Analyzes Special Education teachers' classroom management needs for effective teaching and develops, with teachers, management techniques and methods of implementation.

Assists Special Education teachers to develop strategies for evaluating individual student progress.

Assists Special Education teachers in selecting appropriate instructional materials to implement students' IEPs.

Serves as a liaison with community groups related to areas of specialization as needed.

Supervises and case manages county and nonpublic students.  E

Other duties as assigned by the Director or Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services.

E = Essential functions

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Planning, organization and direction of special education programs for district, county and nonpublic programs
• Curriculum of special education programs
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, operations and procedures of special education programs
• Normal school routines and practices 

Ability to:

• Demonstrate effective supervision skills
• Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills, both written and oral
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills
• Diffuse difficult situations
• Apply and explain rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures for special education
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Meet demanding timelines and schedules
• Work independently with little direction
• Prepare comprehensive narrative reports
• Prepare and present on a variety of current topics for special education teachers
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action

Experience and Education:

• Any combination equivalent to a Master’s degree
• Possess valid California Administrative Services credential and California teaching or Psychologist or Speech and Language Specialist credential
• Five (5) years of successful experience as a teacher, Psychologist, Speech and Language Specialist, or Coordinator of Special Education, preferably at more than one (1) level
• Experience in Special Education

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environment:

• Office and outside work setting
• Subject to frequent interruptions and daily contact with District staff, students, and members of the public
• Frequent driving to various sites, training facilities, and/or other locations as needed

Physical Abilities:

• Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations
• Visual ability to read, prepare/process documents and small figures
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard
• Sitting, walking and standing for extended periods of time
• Occasional carrying, pushing, pulling or lifting up to twenty five (25) pounds
• Occasional bending at the waist and stooping
• Occasional reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally 

HAZARDS:

• Some exposure to toxic materials
• Occasional contact with distraught students, parents and members of the public

OTHER:  Bilingual/Spanish, desirable.

WORK YEAR:       210 days