Special Education Coordinator

Position: Special Education Coordinator

Reports to: Director of Student Services and Accessibility

Employment Status: Full Time/260 days

Salary: $84,892 - $114,737

FLSA Status: Administrator, Level I

Description: Coordinate the identification and services for all students with qualifying disabilities in the school district in compliance with federal special education law, Ohio Rules for the Education of Children with Disabilities, and the Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities. 

Qualifications: 

• Master's degree or higher in a related field
• Valid Ohio teaching license in special education
• Valid Ohio administrative license
• Minimum of five years of special education classroom teaching experience
• Demonstrated skill in oral and written communication using up-to-date technology
• Such alternatives to the above as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent 

Preferred:

• Trained and certified in a crisis de-escalation intervention.
• Trained and up-to-date on the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES)

The below lists are not ranked in order of importance.

Essential Functions: 

Ensure students with disabilities receive a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, following federal and state laws and guidelines.

• Ensure the safety of students.
• Assist building administrators in implementing and improving special education services in their building and consult on student-specific questions and needs.
• Assist building administrators, school counselors, and teachers in reviewing and developing each building's service delivery model to facilitate the effective provision of services to ensure access to and progress within the general education curriculum.
• Coordinate Extended School Year Services (ESY), including procedures, forms, scheduling, staffing, and communication.
• Ensure the coordination of transition from preschool to kindergarten and between elementary/middle/high schools for students with disabilities.
• In collaboration with special education department chairs, identify the need for and coordinate support, resources, and professional learning opportunities for special education staff.
• Ensure the provision of high-quality paraprofessional services by interviewing and recommending candidates for hire, developing the onboarding process, and providing ongoing support.
• Serve as a point of contact for any special education questions, issues, or concerns, as well as follow-up and follow-through; determine when the Director of Student Services & Accessibility should be informed and/or involved.
• Determine need, develop, and provide regular, systematic professional development for teachers, administrators, and paraprofessional staff.
• Serve as a resource for materials and instructional strategies to all staff working with students with disabilities.
• Coordinate related services for students with disabilities (including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Adaptive Physical Education, Speech and Language services, school psychological services, behavior support services, Orientation and Mobility services, services for students with Visual and Hearing impairments, and Postsecondary Transition services) and other related contract services.
• Coordinate individual student support required for extracurricular activities, as determined by Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams.
• Coordinate and monitor the services for students in schools/programs outside the district (including home instruction and preschool), coordinate transportation services as needed, review IEPs, and attend meetings for these students.

Ensure compliance with federal and state special education laws and regulations.

• Assist in developing district-wide policies and procedures for special education services.
• Coordinate Internal Monitoring Team to monitor compliance regarding special education records and services.
• Develop systems and procedures to ensure that Evaluation Team Reports and Individual Education Programs are completed within required timeframes.
• Support building administrators in establishing and monitoring caseloads for Intervention Specialists to ensure compliance with state guidelines.
• Monitor the caseloads of related service personnel to ensure compliance with state guidelines.
• Ensure the maintenance of special education records for students eligible for special education.
• Assist the EMIS coordinator in compiling, maintaining, and reporting special education events as state and federal laws require, including assessing students with disabilities.
• Coordinate IEP development and meetings for students living in the district attendance area who utilize the Jon Peterson or Autism Scholarship programs. 

General Responsibilities

• Model professional behavior and language aligned with the district's Strategic Plan, vision, mission, and values.
• Model and promote positive relationships with staff, families, and the community.
• Assist in annual program evaluation and analysis that is culturally responsible in developing special education department action plans for continuous improvement.
• Maintain respect at all times for confidential information.
• Attend professional development to remain current with educational practices to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
• Provide resources, professional development, and support to building administrators in the development of a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework.
• Provide internal and external reports and presentations as requested.
• Represent the district at local, state, and regional activities upon request of the Director of Student Services & Accessibility, Superintendent Designee, or Superintendent.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• An unwavering belief in the capacity of every student with a disability to learn.
• Commitment to professional growth, continuous improvement, and the district's Strategic Plan, mission, vision, and values.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others to solve problems.
• Ability to communicate ideas and directives clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Effective active listening skills.
• Organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing situations. 

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Learn with curiosity.
• Demonstrate kindness.
• Embrace equity.
• Support the values of our strategic and equity plans.
• Develop and sustain meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Ability to confidently and tactfully assist people in the midst of stressful, difficult, and challenging situations.
• Ability to interact positively and supportively with staff, students, families, and the community and be respectful of the variability of cultures, including socioeconomic status, family types, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, Superintendent's Designee, or Superintendent.

Additional Working Conditions:

1. May occasionally be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, and tissue.
2. Must follow all safety guidelines for bloodborne pathogens.
3. Frequent interruption of tasks to support students, visitors, staff, and telephone.
4. Must occasionally work nights/extended days due to school functions.
5. Must be able to assist others and move around the school and grounds.
6. Must be able to lift and move 40 lbs.
7. Repetitive hand motion (e.g., keyboard, typing) or voice-to-text.

Bexley City Schools is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer committed to equity and inclusive practices. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential job duty. Reasonable accommodations shall enable qualified individuals with disabilities or specialized needs to perform essential job functions.

This job description is subject to change and in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the incumbent. The incumbent will be required to follow the instructions and perform the duties required by the incumbent's supervisor, who will be appointed as the authority.