REPORTS TO: Special Education Director EMPLOYED BY: GPS Educational Services
JOB SUMMARY
The Special Education Coordinator implements and maintains Special Education programs and services per federal and state administrative rules while aligning with company policies. Provides direct guidance to Special Education staff through verbal and written direction as well as providing resources and support to ancillary staff and other school personnel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Collaborate with building principals, special and general education teachers, and outside agencies for identifying students’ needs, resolving issues, receiving and conveying information, and developing individualized methods of instruction.
Consult with building administrators, teachers, and parents to convey information, providing curriculum support, and assisting in the development of specialized accommodations, including participation in the MTSS process.
Coordinate and adapt special education services and programs as assigned (e.g., IEPs, student observations, implementation of assistive technology, development, and implementation of behavior plans, etc.) to deliver services that conform to established guidelines while meeting the individual needs of each student.
Maintain records, communicate, and collaborate with District Discipline Team to ensure students who display behaviors that violate the Student Code of Conduct are disciplined with fairness and adequate interventions are in place to effect a behavioral change.
Establish support systems for special education teachers and educational support staff (e.g., curriculum implementation modeling, student assessments, general guidance, etc.) for providing assistance and direction in achieving student success while complying with District, State, and Federal regulations.
Provide, schedule, and collaborate on training Special Education staff to meet their optimum potential as well as adhere to company, district, state, and federal standards.
Collaborate with Special Education Director to identify, implement, and evaluate special education programs and services to carry out and achieve objectives and adapting program components to meet student needs within assigned areas of responsibility.
Maintain a variety of records and files to ensure documentation for the present delivery of services and future reference per administrative and legal requirements.
Ensure all Special Education staff attendance schedules for students receiving services are in place and documented adequately.
Prepare a wide variety of written materials (e.g., assessment reports, IEPs, correspondence, internal and external program audits, correspondence, curriculum materials, and aides, etc.) to document activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
Present information on a variety of topics (e.g., legal requirements and best practices with discipline, in-service presentations, etc.) to provide direction, communicate information, and/or gaining feedback.
Attend (County, State, and District) meetings and in-services that are relevant to the effective management of services to students with special needs.
Coordinate and collaborate with other coordinators within GPS to ensure continuity of services within all Districts managed by GPS.
Perform support duties for District Testing Coordinator to ensure students have proper documentation for accommodations and receive them on testing days.
Communicate with immediate supervisor, GPS Central Office staff, and appropriate school-level staff concerning assigned programs and activities.
Maintain current knowledge of and implement GPS Personnel Policies and Employee Handbook.
Provide staff supervision and special education-related training, coaching, and performance evaluation.
Delegate staff responsibility and accountability for assigned tasks.
Encourage and participate in cooperative working relationships.
Perform all assignments per established policies and procedures.
Maintain current knowledge of and assure staff's knowledge of FERPA and other applicable state and federal confidentiality requirements.
Maintain confidentiality of all student, family, and staff information.
Report recipient/staff complaints and problems to Special Education Director and other appropriate staff; assist with complaint investigations as directed.
Ensure assigned staff adheres to the organization’s quality improvement strategy.
Develop and implement corrective action plans when necessary.
Monitor direct reports' attendance; review and approve timesheets and time-off requests per company policies.
Encourage and participate in cooperative working relationships.
Perform all assignments per established policies and procedures.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum of master’s degree in education, curriculum, and instruction or related field.
Valid Michigan teaching certificate (or equivalent) with a special education endorsement in autism, cognitive impairment, emotional impairment, learning disabilities, physical education for students with disabilities, physical or other health impairment, speech/language impairment, and/or visual impairment.
A school administrator or Central Office Certification is preferred.
At least three successful years of special education experience.
Thorough knowledge of special education requirements in a K-12 school setting.
Ability to respond to customer needs and practices proactively and effectively, with follow-up to ensure customer needs are met.
Ability to interact and articulate sensitively, with diplomacy and tact at all levels of the organization and in a multicultural and diverse community, including the ability to utilize principles and methods of effective and persuasive speaking.
Excellent written and oral communication skills with meticulous attention to detail.
Effective interpersonal and customer service skills with an ability to build and maintain effective relationships with customers at all levels. Must demonstrate and possess a high level of professional integrity, ethics, and confidentiality
Ability to work in a team environment and build effective working relationships while collaborating with others to accomplish business objectives
Ability to handle and manage confidential information. Must possess a strong level of ethics, confidentiality, and professionalism.
Advanced knowledge of special education coordination and staff supervision.
Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
Advanced ability to understand, analyze and interpret reports and effect corrective action.
Ability to communicate expectations clearly, and to effectively utilize a teamwork approach with staff at all levels.
Ability to manage time well with strategies in place to multi-task successfully.
Ability to proficiently utilize various computer and web-based software programs.
FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS
Business Acumen: Extensive knowledge of administrative principles, policies, and procedures. Understands mission and objectives of GPS; looks for ways to improve processes and quality.
Customer Service: Ability to proactively and effectively respond to customer needs and practices follow-up to ensure customer needs are met.
Communication Skills: Ability to interact and articulate sensitively, with diplomacy and tact at all levels of the organization and in a multicultural and diverse community. Excellent written and oral communication skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Interpersonal Skills: Effective interpersonal and customer service skills. Must possess ability to build and maintain effective relationships with customers at all levels, including senior executives. Must demonstrate and possess a high level of professional integrity, ethics, and confidentiality.
Teamwork: Ability to work in a team environment and build effective working relationships. Ability to successfully collaborate with others to accomplish business objectives.
Planning/Organizing: Ability to utilize sound judgment to manage, prioritize and plan work activities and competing priorities with minimal supervision. Ability to follow through on multiple tasks and deadlines and be detailed-oriented.
Time Management: Excellent time management skills required. Must be able to work quickly to meet demanding deadlines, demonstrate flexibility, willingness to take on assignments and work well under pressure.
Problem Solving: Ability to identify and resolve problems, use sound judgment to develop alternative approaches and meets challenges with resourcefulness.
Technology: Proficient in the use of PC/Windows and/or MAC and web-based applications including MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook), HRIS and financial management software.
Confidentiality: Ability to handle and manage confidential information. Must possess a strong level of ethics, confidentiality, and professionalism.
EMOTIONAL COMPETENCIES
Adaptability: Deals with unexpected challenges or circumstances.
Ambition & Drive: Exhibits an attitude of expecting to win and will strive to be the best they can be.
Brand Steward: Steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.
Collaboration: Values a work environment that through the collaboration of people, achieves business outcomes.
Communications: Delivers and receives information in a concise and clear manner.
Customer Service Orientation: Conveying sensitivity to others and sharing appropriate information to cooperatively resolve their concerns (inside and outside the organization).
Develops People: Have a drive to understand and develop the capabilities of others.
Innovative Thinking: Passionately champions change and innovation to grow and improve.
Leadership Effectiveness: Achieves with distinction, persevering despite resistance and influencing others.
Maintaining Self-Awareness and Impact: Maintains objectivity about own self; learns from experiences to manage positive impact on others.
Positive Outlook: Displays optimistic toward the future and ‘can do’ attitude when managing various stages of the sales process.
Self-Awareness: Displays self-knowledge of strengths and needs to identify resources where there are gaps.
