Program Specialist - Student Support Services

POSITION SUMMARY: Provide a high level of program management support to building teams and staff in providing high quality, research-based services for students with disabilities with a focus on equity of access, inclusivity, rigor and dismantling racist systems.
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 

• Timely support and communication to building teams.
• Provide support to building teams in instructional strategies, program interventions and technical assistance and support within general education and special education environments with a focus on equity of access and rigor.
• Provide high quality in-service opportunities to staff and teams on relevant topics in special education.
• Assist teams, individuals and families in resolving challenging issues and situations.
• Respond to team requests, including providing information, assisting with curriculum/service delivery issues, and modeling conflict resolution strategies.
• Effective communication to building teams regarding district policies and procedures.
• Design, implement and monitor a system of IEP compliance in conjunction with other program specialists; assist in collecting program evaluation data.
• Stay current on special education rules/regulations and program delivery methods.
• Participate as an active member of the Student Support Services team.
• Coordinate or assist in coordinating the ESY program and/or other programs as requested by Director.
• Facilitate planning and collaboration meetings for job alike SSS groups as assigned by Director.
• Assist Director with staffing, including transition of students from school to school.

 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
Current Washington State Teacher's Certificate with a Special Education endorsement
Three (3) years of experience in special education
 
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Demonstrated leadership skills experience in an educational setting such as Program Manager/Administrator
Demonstrated strong skills in conflict resolution and management
 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's Degree
Reading Endorsement
 
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
Criminal background clearance
Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis
Valid Washington State Driver's License
 
 
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Special education rules and regulations
Curriculum based assessment and progress monitoring
Explicit Instruction
Empirically validated practices in special education
Instructional theory and its application
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Behavior analysis
Techniques to motivate student learning via inquiry, discussion, and application of knowledge
Organizing the physical and human elements in the educational setting
Instructional and non-instructional human dynamics
Standards-based instruction and familiarity with Common Core State Standards
School board policies and procedures
Wide range of instructional strategies to support both general and special education teachers, para professionals and teams
 
ABILITY TO:
Demonstrate planning and implementing in-service events for large and small groups
Demonstrate proficiency using an e-mail system
Demonstrate basic knowledge of technology and willingness and ability to increase knowledge to proficiency
Analyze situations by providing support and guiding teams to identify positive, workable solutions
Provide instructional leadership
Adapt instructional materials and strategies to accommodate the wide range of skills which exist in a classroom
Apply empirically validated practices in special education.
Meet responsibilities in a punctual and reliable manner
Comply with school board policies and follow administrative procedures
Demonstrate handling multiple priorities, and represent the district in a professional and timely manner
Organize and perform job responsibilities efficiently and independently without close supervision
Pay strict attention to detail
Speak, read and follow written or verbal communications
Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines
Develop and maintain positive customer relations with staff and service providers
Work collaboratively with District staff and promote teamwork with co-workers
Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including the requirements of confidentiality
Relate effectively with parents, staff, students and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community
Perform job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations
 
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:
Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.
Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future."
 
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 this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly stand and walk, bend neck and back, use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling.  The employee will constantly be required to sit for extended periods of time and use a computer screen and keyboard.  The employee may occasionally be required to squat, kneel, and use hands for fine manipulation, climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, and lift/carry. The employee must constantly lift/carry up to 5 pounds and must frequently lift /carry up to 10 pounds.  The employee will occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 20 lbs.  The employee is occasionally required to push/pull a maximum weight of 100 pounds.
 
WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions and regularly works near video display.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Travel around the district may be required.
 
WORK SCHEDULE 
This position is a school-year position and typically works Monday through Friday, 180 days per year
 
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This position reports to and is evaluated by Director of Student Support Services
 
REPRESENTATION
Federal Way Education Association (FWEA)

LEVEL OF COMPENSATION
Federal Way Education Association (FWEA) Salary Schedule.
This position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE � Medical, dental vision, wellness leave, life insurance, retirement, professional development dollars.
 
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Update 5/2021
Updated for SSS 8/2016
Update with physical demand/working conditions 5/2015
 
Disclaimer
The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.  The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. 
 
All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.
 
Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.