Job Title: Special Education Program Specialist

Reports to: Special Education Director

Dept./School: Polk County Special Services

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Bachelor’s degree

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of federal and special program rules and regulations

Ability to interpret data

Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Ensures district compliance with state, federal and local laws and policies regarding special education.
2. eSped - Admin for eSped, provide access to appropriate staff annually, create and deactivate accounts for all six schools.  Update district information for all six schools based on adopted calendars and staff.  Assist with transferring records in Esped upon request from districts upon request. Run Esped reports for staff as requested, including STAAR and STAAR ALT2 reports for testing coordinators.
3. Gather Snapshot data -  Run Esped and Ascender reports (provided by district SPED secretary) from all five districts and calculate total Snapshot SPED numbers, create document in Google for reference.  Gather report data from all districts SPED secretaries verifying data from Ascender and Esped is correct and matches.  Upon PEIMS verification, work with PEIMS on any Special Warnings and Fatal Errors of SPED students.
4. Indicator Reporting: Assist with data gathering and reporting of all required SPPI Indicators annually.

Instructional Coach:

1. Supporting the professional growth and development of special education teachers to facilitate learning and independent application of effective instructional practices.

1. Provides job-embedded support through planning, modeling, co-teaching, conducting classroom visits, analyzing data, and offering collegial and actionable feedback. 

1. Plans and conducts professional development based on assessed division and/or teacher needs. 

1. Collaborates with the curriculum department to coordinate professional growth and development of special education staff. 

1. Supports teachers in their efforts to write and maintain practical, meaningful, effectual IEP goals. Collaborates with the Special Education Director to review IEP’s and support teachers attainment of consistent compliance indicators in this area.

1. Collaborates with teachers in planning for specific student learning outcomes based on assessed needs of individual students and the use of data and information to determine each student’s current knowledge and skill level, support student learning goals, and assess student progress. The assessment of student needs includes the use of district approved assessment tools and strategies in addition to the teachers’ own professional practice.

1. Observes, coaches, and models instructional strategies for teachers and monitors future implementation of evidence and research- based strategies. Serves as an instructional resource for teachers and instructional assistants.

Assistive Technology

1. Responsible for assessing and determining eligibility for AT equipment and services

1. Collaborate with colleagues and parents to share information and expertise to plan and implement effective student programs for the purpose of developing and implementing assistive technology services

1. Providing information for program development

1. Participate, as needed, as a member of the multidisciplinary team for the purpose of developing an evaluation and making recommendations based on individual student needs

1. Create reports based on assessments to provide to the IEP team

1. Participate on the IEP team by providing information on available technology resources and monitoring progress related to assistive technology needs of eligible students

1. Orient students to assistive devices

1. Ensure proper documentation for identification tags, licenses, warranties, repairs, and upgrades

1. Consult with and provide training to IEP members to ensure assistive technology implementation according to individual student IEPs

1. Inventory and track assistive devices throughout the district

1. Troubleshoot AT concerns prior to referring to the technology department

1. Provide in-service training and consultation to staff and parent on assistive technology devices including both low tech and high tech devices

Autism

1. Provides training and support to meet the individual needs of our students with autism.

Other:

1. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals

Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.

Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)

Environment: Frequent districtwide travel; occasional statewide travel

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

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This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. 

Reviewed by: Date:   

Received by: Date: