Special Education Coordinator-PTS District

POSITION AVAILABLE - Portage Township Schools 

Title: Special Education Coordinator

Terms of Employment: 

Contract Amount: competitive salary/benefits commensurate with experience and certifications.

Qualifications: 

• Valid Indiana Teacher License in special education required; Administrative Classes and/or license (preferred)
• Significant experience as a teacher and/or supervisor working with students with disabilities (ages 3 to 22 years inclusive) to include a minimum of 5 years of direct development of IEPs and implementation through service delivery, with additional experience in an administrative/supervisory role involving exceptional learner processes and instructional programming preferred

Reports to: The Special Education Coordinator works under the direction of the Director of Special Education in coordination with the Director of Multi Tiered Systems of Support.

Job Goal: The Coordinator is responsible for assisting the Department of Special Education with leadership and supervision in developing, monitoring, and improving educational programs and related services for students with special needs. Work involves supervising and managing the academic service areas, which include but

are not limited to acting as Public Agency Representative for Case Conferences, IEP compliance, curriculum and instruction, social/emotional and behavioral support, and educational support services.

Performance Responsibilities: 

• Assists in the overall planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of special education programs and services, specified by the State Department of Public Instruction, and authorized by the Board of School Trustees
• Possesses specialized training in or strong knowledge of effective administrative strategies in cooperative learning, higher level thinking skills, learning styles, learning to mastery, and student evaluation.
• Demonstrates ability to collaborate with students, staff, parents, and community to achieve educational goals.
• Demonstrates an ability to function as a team member and a team leader.
• Demonstrates ability to assume the responsibility of discipline and attendance issues, including the determination and assignment of appropriate corrective action.
• Supports and communicates a district wide philosophy of least restrictive environment for serving students with special needs.
• Collaborates with the director, school principals and school special education teachers for the purpose of implementing and maintaining services and/or programs.
• Directs personnel to deliver services that conform to established guidelines.
• Collaborates with school-based administrators and central office administrators regarding the discipline of students with special needs.
• Evaluates district and school special education programs and monitors the implementation of special education and compliance with regulations in each building assigned.
• Facilitates meetings and processes to implement and maintain special education programs and services in district schools.
• Implements assigned programs and/or projects to conform to district and state curriculum.
• Communicates information on programs, services, and regulations to school personnel, parents, and administration.
• Analyzes data to support the allocation of special education staff to schools.
• Coordinates with outside agencies to provide services to students, staff, and families.
• Conducts ongoing needs assessments, collects, and analyzes data, and uses pertinent data to refine and improve special education services and programs.
• Maintains a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in the laws and case law, and educational methods of educating students with disabilities.
• Maintains open lines of communication regarding special education with all interested parties; responds to concerns of parents, teachers, building and central office administrators, and community members.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to develop and implement district strategic plan and goals.
• Provides necessary training to students and staff for the identified needs of individual students.
• Supervises and evaluates special education staff.
• Facilitates staff professional development based on student needs.
• Provides parents information regarding outside community resources and services.
• Performs any other duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education
• Supports the district MTSS framework.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to work collaboratively with principals to implement and monitor special education programs.
• Ability to work in a supportive, collaborative role with staff in all departments and offices; ability to interface with other departments to coordinate reciprocal services for achieving special education goals.
• Ability to interpret and remain current on all federal, state, and local mandates for special education to ensure that the school district is in compliance; handle confidential information discretely and professionally
• Use discretion and exercise sound judgment; exceptional public relations/interpersonal skills to respond to parents and advocacy groups.
• Effective management, supervisory, team-building, and problem solving skills
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the Indiana IEP system

Terms of Employment: 195 days

Contract Amount: competitive salary/benefits commensurate with experience and certifications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Tasks involve the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of standing, walking, sitting, climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (25 pounds or more) as well as use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear.

Disclaimer:  Responsibilities and tasks outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the District.  The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the school corporation. The employee is expected to adhere to and agrees to adhere to PTS Core Values, the PTS Strategic Plan, as well as all PTS District policies and guidelines including but not limited to the civility policy.