Special Education Building Coordinator 2021-2022-246

Title: Special Education Building Coordinator 2021-2022-246

Reports to: Director of Special Education and/or Building Principal
Status: Salaried, 1.0 FTE, TOSA - 197 days per year

Location: Elementary Schools

Start Date: August 26, 2021

Competitive benefit package and state retirement plan

Summary

The Special Education Building Coordinator works under the guidance and supervision of the Director of Student Services in collaboration with the building principals. The coordinator serves as a resource to special education personnel, building administration, students and families to assist in the coordination of special education programs at the building level and to ensure that due process rights of students and their parents are protected.

Essential Job Duties

• Demonstrates foresight, examines issues, and takes initiative to improve the quality of special education in the schools.
• Supports special education and general education personnel with IEP implementation, compliance issues, and differentiated instruction/assessment.
• Provides and/or assists in providing professional development activities in order to increase knowledge and skills of special education staff, regular education teachers, administration and support staff.
• Provides and/or assists in providing information and training to families, including through newsletters and the district website, and serves as a point of contact for families new to the building or process.
• Systematically and periodically reviews building caseloads and staffing needs; provides recommendations to Director and Principals regarding staffing needs and scheduling models.
• Develops and periodically reviews schedules of non-certified special education personnel.
• Collects program evaluation data, analyzes data and makes program recommendations to Director and Principals.
• Helps in the management of caseloads and the proper placement of students for referred and identified students as well as providing consultation to clarify the duties and responsibilities of case managers.
• Informs the case managers, Principal and Director of any compliance issues.
• Refers building administration and IEP teams to consult with the Director in determining available special education resources before obligating district resources (e.g. staffing or equipment requests).
• Consults with case managers and building administration to provide assistance regarding special education student behavior issues including the need to develop an FBA, Positive Behavior Support Plan, Aversive Treatment Plan, when to schedule a manifestation meeting, determination of least restrictive environment and most appropriate placement, continuation of services during disciplinary actions, and the creation of appropriate alternatives to suspension and expulsion.
• Assists the building administration in the implementation of district policies and building procedures with regards to students with disabilities.
• Keeps informed of legal requirements governing special education and assists the Director regarding staff professional development activities.
• Advises the building administration and evaluation/IEP teams on dealing with placements, independent evaluations, and acceptance of non-resident students into the district; reviews all records of transfer students who have had a previous history with special education; assists counselors with building student schedules which are in compliance with the IEP.
• Works cooperatively with the transportation department in planning and delivery of services.
• Assists with information requirements from and for non-school entities related to students with disabilities (ACT accommodations, Social Security disability determination, etc.).
• Consults with case managers, counselors, and building administration regarding transition services for incoming and outgoing students. Will attend transition meetings as needed.
• Attends Evaluation Team/Individual Education Program meetings, child study team meetings, and other meetings as required regarding special services.
• Coordinates delivery of homebound services when recommended through the IEP process.
• Complies with Board policies, rules, regulations, and directives.
• Reports cases of suspected child abuse according to state law.

Only minimum duties are listed. Other functions may be required as given or assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities

• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Ability to follow oral or written work orders from supervisor, and to coordinate work with principal and others.
• Ability to read, write and speak English fluently.
• Ability to be flexible to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances.
• Ability to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups and utilize specific, job-related equipment.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of staff, parents, Board members and the general public.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to deal with multiple abstract and concrete variables.
• Knowledge of special education laws and regulations, procedural safeguards, due process, school scheduling procedures and curriculum and least restrictive environment procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with students, the public, and staff members.
• Ability to manage time and responsibilities, adapt to changing work priorities, maintain confidentiality, and meet deadlines and schedules.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all District requirements and Board policies.
• Skill in preparing and maintaining accurate records and using pertinent software applications (as required).

Equipment Used

• Computer, calculator, copier, telephone/voice mail, fax, wheelchairs and other special needs equipment.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Montana Educator License or related (e.g. Administration, Special Education Supervisor, School Psychology, Speech Language Pathology) with proper endorsement.
• Knowledge and experience in special education or a related area.
• Minimum two years professional experience in a school setting.

Necessary special requirements:

• Montana Driver’s license or the ability to obtain license within three months of hire date.

Physical and Mental Demands and Work Hazards

• Performs routine work.
• Regularly works inside with minimal temperature variations.
• Ability to meet deadlines with severe time constraints.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Frequently required to sit, occasionally walk and stand and reach with hands or arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling.
• Significant fine finger dexterity
• Required to be able to hear conversations in loud and quiet environments.
• May be required to lift or carry up to 10 - 30 pounds on a routine basis with or without an accommodation.
• The employee frequently works within time constraints and must maintain attentiveness intensity.
• Frequently involved in interactions which require oral and written communications.
• Exercises flexibility and the ability to shift from one task to another.
• Occasional travel/mobility between schools, or between schools and the Administration office, may be required.
• Effective hearing and speech abilities.
• Work area is generally a hazard free environment.
• Demonstrates regular attendance performing duties as described.
• Reports to work fit for duty with characteristics inherent to the position.

The duties, physical demands, work-environment characteristics, and mental/motor demands described within this vacancy announcement are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with compliance with the American with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.