Please contact the district or school with any questions regarding this position.
Job Title: Coordinator - Special Education
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt / At-Will
Reports To: : Executive Director of Special Education
Pay Grade/Days: 105/226 Days
Dept./School: Administration Building
Date Revised: January 2020
Primary Purpose:
Oversee and ensure compliance of special education programs (state, federal, and local) to meet provision of needed services for special needs students across the district. Assist the Executive Director of Special Education and the Director of Special Education in the management and supervision of the district’s Special Education program. Maintain primary responsibility for the evaluation process and evaluation staff. Assist in supervision of evaluation staff. Consult with administrators, teachers and staff regarding referrals, resource materials, and evaluation procedures/instruments utilized in the area of special education.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Master’s Degree or Higher
Certification in Special Education preferred
Supervisor/Mid-Management Certification or Certification as a Licensed Specialist in School
Psychology or Diagnostician preferred
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of federal and state special education law
Evidence of leadership skills, especially in the area of special education
Ability to facilitate Special Education program with teachers, principals, assessment staff, and other personnel
Strong written and verbal communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills
Ability to evaluate the status of compliance laws and regulations throughout the district
Proficiency in the use of a variety of psychological and other assessment instruments preferred
Experience
Three or more years of teaching experience
Five years of experience in special education
Two or more years or more of supervisory level experience preferred
Experience working in a Title 1 School District
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
- Serve as a district monitor of assigned areas of special education compliance.
- Recommend improvement in the purpose, design, and implementation of the special education instructional program, as a support program related to the mission of the school/department/district.
- Establishes and maintains an environment which is conducive to positive staff morale and directed towards achievement of the Special Education Department/district’s mission.
- Implement the policies established by federal and state law. State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in area of special education.
- Assist teachers in identifying and coordinating an instructional program that matches the student’s individual needs and instructional levels.
- Makes recommendations for assignments and/or reassignments of Special Education staff.
- Supports the identification, analysis, and application of research findings.
- Train district and campus-level staff to improve understanding of and compliance with special education laws and regulations as well as updates concerning new developments in special education law.
- Troubleshoot, investigate, and resolve complaints from special education parents and staff.
- Coordinate with the Executive Director of Special Education and Director of Special Education to oversee and manage cases that appear headed for litigation to prevent litigation where possible and/or to ensure that the district has the strongest case for litigation by attending IEP meetings and depositions, assisting with responses to interrogatories, communicating with outside counsel, and other related tasks to ensure the best possible outcome.
- Ensure that special education department provides service and support to campuses to include administrators, Special Education and General Education teachers, and para professionals.
- Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, and teachers concerning vital issues. (Coordinator is first point of contact)
- Arrange for or conduct student assessments for those students who have been referred for special education consideration.
- Monitor the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) process.
- Ensure that special education department provides service and support to assigned campuses.
- Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students and teachers concerning vital issues.
- Recommend sound policies to improve program.
- Schedule and supervise services administered by Special Education homebound teacher to ensure appropriate service provision.
- Coordinate the Extended School Year (ESY) services offered through the district to qualified special education students.
- Participate in multi-disciplinary and ARD committee meetings, as needed, to ensure the appropriate placement and development of individual education plans for students according to district procedures.
- Assist teachers in organizing workspaces for effective learning in programs that span early childhood to secondary education.
- Maintain a current inventory of supplies and equipment and recommend the replacement and disposal of equipment when necessary.
- Engages in facilities research and evaluation to determine the effectiveness of current-practice special education programs and identify potential program to meet documented needs.
- Coordinates with the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) secretary for accuracy of the instructional arrangement code assigned to each student.
- Participates in Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee meetings as needed, and always when a parent advocate attends.
- Disseminates ideas and information to other professionals; provides leadership in addressing the challenges facing the profession (e.g., active involvement in professional associations, professional presentations at conferences, etc.)
- Provide to all stakeholders timely information related to changes in: statewide assessments for students with disabilities; federal regulations, state-statutes and guidance; special education state accountability system(s) including Results Driven Accountability (RDA) and the State Performance Plan (SPP).
- Participate in the recruitment, selection, and training of personnel and make sound recommendations relative to personnel placement, assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
- Meet with diagnosticians, LSSPs, and behavior staff to address referral, assessment, and IEP concerns in a timely manner as well as conduct monthly meetings to elicit feedback, provide learning experiences to improve professional practice, and conduct case studies.
- Maintain timelines in assessment, IEP, and ARD development and implementation to effectively supervise, train, and monitor diagnosticians and LSSPs.
- Articulate the district’s mission and goals in the area of special education to the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission.
- Demonstrate awareness of district-community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs.
- Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement.
- Complete performance evaluations for assigned staff.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise special education itinerant and evaluation staff in coordination with Executive Director of Special Education and Director of Special Education
Supervise special education instruction staff in coordination with the Executive Director of Special Education and campus administration
Supervise Special Education Homebound teacher in coordination with Executive Director of Special Education and Director of Special Education
Supervise Special Education Instructional Specialists in coordination with Executive Director of Special Education and Director of Special Education
Working Conditions:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Administrative office environment, high pressure, fast pace, multiple deadlines, people intensive, frequent public contact, use of computer and related technology, occasional out of district travel and frequent extended days.
Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.
Non Discrimination Statement
The Waco Independent School District is an equal opportunity educational provider and employer who does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information or non-proficiency in English language skills in educational programs or activities that it operates or in employment matters. The District is required by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act; and school board policy not to discriminate in such a manner.
For information about your rights or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX, please email titleixcoordinator@wacoisd.org or contact Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at 254-755-9410 or Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Support at 254-755-9417. For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI and Title VII, as amended, contact the Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at 254-755-9410. For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, contact Waco ISD Special Education Executive Director at 254-755-9569 or write to P.O. Box 27, Waco, TX, 76703.
