EAPS Special Education Coordinator

The Escanaba Area Public School District seeks a qualified candidate for the following position:

K-12 Special Education Coordinator

Location: District Wide

Start Date: 2026-2027 School Year

Reports to: Director of Special Services

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Overview

The K-12 Special Education Coordinator ensures school compliance with federal laws (IDEA) and Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE), manages Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and oversees special education services. They support staff, facilitate meetings, and monitor student progress for students with disabilities

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in Special Education
• Current Michigan teacher's certification in Special Education

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Special Education
• Significant Special Education teaching experience in a public school district
• Expertise in Michigan special education rules (MARSE), IDEA regulations
• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills to manage multi-disciplinary teams

Desired Characteristics

• Passion for working collaboratively with children, families, and staff
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills supporting a team approach to education
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Eagerness to approach problems from new and different perspectives
• Ability to collect and use data to drive student success
• Growth mindset focused on constructive interactions
• Consistency, caring, and firmness in interactions with students and stakeholders
• Knowledgeable in methods and techniques designed to improve student outcomes

Responsibilities

Compliance Monitoring

• Ensures adherence to federal/state regulations, including IEP timelines, evaluations, and procedural safeguards
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation for audits, state reporting, and monitoring reviews
• Lead compliance processes such as timelines, eligibility, and procedural safeguards

Student Evaluation and Eligibility

• Coordinate referral, evaluation, and reevaluation processes across K–12
• Ensure appropriate use of multidisciplinary evaluation teams (METs)
• Support staff in interpreting evaluation data and determining eligibility
• Ensure equitable and legally sound decision-making practices

IEP Facilitation

• Acts as the Local Education Agency (LEA) representative at IEP, child study, and manifestation determination meetings

Program Coordination

• Oversees special education services (non-public, homebound, hospital) and manages behavioral interventions (FBA/BIP)
• Oversee delivery of special education services across all buildings
• Ensure appropriate placement decisions in the least restrictive environment (LRE)
• Evaluate and improve programs (resource rooms, co-teaching, self-contained classrooms, etc.)
• Coordinate related services (speech, OT, PT, social work, etc.)
• Support implementation of behavior intervention systems (PBIS, MTSS alignment)
• Guide staff in conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and developing Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
• Assist with crisis planning and support for high-needs students
• Ensure compliance with transition planning requirements (beginning by age 16 or earlier per Michigan guidelines)
• Coordinate postsecondary planning (career, college, independent living)
• Build partnerships with community agencies and vocational programs

Staff Support

• Provide coaching and support to special education teachers and paraprofessionals
• Assist principals with supervision and evaluation of special education staff
• Support onboarding and mentoring of new special education staff

Parent Communication

• Collaborates with families regarding student evaluations, services, and educational programs
• Serve as liaison between:
• General education and special education staff
• Administration and families
• Intermediate School District (ISD) / Regional Service Agency
• Facilitate effective communication with parents/guardians, including difficult conversations
• Facilitate meetings as needed, especially for complex cases

Other Duties as Assigned