Special Education Program Specialist

Certified - Position - Special Education

Grades PK-12

Job Number

Start Date

Open Date 04/24/2024

Closing Date

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Special Education Program Specialist will coordinate assigned special education program components and related activities; provide information to others; and implement as well as maintain services within established guidelines and standards. The Program Specialist acts as a member of the instructional support staff to ensure that all students' needs and compliance indicators are met according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Program Specialist will work with school principals, in consultation with parents, teachers, school counselors and other appropriate personnel, and will have the responsibility for decisions in relation to the education of students in special education.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Based upon identified needs, including final decisions from state complaints and due process hearings, determinations, fiscal review, and other findings; implement agreements and guidance materials. Work with the Director of Special Education to monitor the results of implemented activities/programs.
• Coordinate activities with stakeholders to inform both system improvement and increased educational outcomes.
• Abide by and follow IDEA as well as Alabama Administrative Code for IDEA Part B.
• Prepare and maintain extensive paperwork/documentation including, but not limited to, accurate logs, records, forms and reports, and develops procedures to monitor the children in the program as well as to provide information essential for proper accountability and financial/budgetary considerations
• Submit all required reports, completed and accurate, to Director of Special Education by deadlines.
• Provide weekly briefings to Director of Special Education regarding school and area data, trends, needs, observations, etc.
• Follow a weekly schedule.
• Collaborate with area program specialists for ESY services, etc. after collection of forms.
• Attend meetings, seminars and workshops to keep informed of new laws, rules, regulations and directives regarding the education of children with disabilities.
• Attend district meetings as appropriate.
• Supervise and evaluate special education teachers and other related service personnel.
• Implement accountability measures for faculty and staff members in collaboration with area program specialists after collaboration with Director of Special Education.
• Conduct school-team meetings as assigned by Director via collaboration with area program specialist assigned to the applicable school.
• Establish working relationships with school personnel and parents/guardians.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct needed trainings for specific school teams and/or individuals based on data results and area program specialist's recommendations.
• Conduct Crisis Prevention trainings as assigned.
• Participate in hiring processes for special education teachers and other related service personnel as appropriate and needed.
• Possess and demonstrate thorough knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the services and education of children with disabilities as well as other regulated programs.
• Good knowledge of pediatric and adolescent development (cognitive and physical) and of medical and psychological diagnostic instruments as they relate to assessing the needs of children with disabilities.
• Good knowledge of terms used to describe physical and learning disabilities.
• Good knowledge of the medical and educational services available to program participants.
• Compliance and implementation with community referral processes and procedures in the district.

• Conduct school-team meetings as assigned by Director via collaboration with area program specialist assigned to the applicable school.

• All other duties as assigned.

• SUCH ALTERNATIVES TO THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS AS THE BOARD MAY REQUIRE.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in special education or related field is required.
• A valid Alabama Teacher's Certificate.
• Master's degree in special education or related field is required.
• Administrative certification is preferred.
• At least five (5) years of successful teaching experience in special education and two (2) years of instructional support experience as a specialist, lead, principal, or assistant principal is preferred.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Completed Application (Teach in Alabama)
• Resume (uploaded to application)
• Three (3) returned References (Teach in Alabama)
• PLEASE ENSURE ALL INFORMATION IS CURRENT WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical strength, mobility, dexterity, stamina, and acuity are required to perform job responsibilities.

Duty Days 240

Reports To Director of Special Education

Salary Range: From/To Salary Schedule 32 $75,541 - $106,078

Job Attachment View Attachment

The State does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religious preference, marital status, disability, national origin, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law. Employees of the District are required to comply with the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments.

Alabama school boards are required by state law to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees by using the federal E-Verify program. New employees are required to provide a Social Security number, an unexpired identity document that contains a photograph, and other acceptable documents that establish employment eligibility. In addition to determining whether a new hire is authorized to work in the United States, E-Verify will confirm that the employee's name and Social Security number match.

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