PROGRAM SPECIALIST - SPECIAL EDUCATION

Special Education Program Specialist

The Special Education Compliance Program Specialist will coordinate assigned special education program components and related activities; provide information to others; and implement as well as maintain services within established guidelines and standards. The Program Specialist acts as a member of the instructional support staff to ensure that all students' needs and compliance indicators are met according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Program Specialist will work with school principals, in consultation with parents, teachers, school counselors and other appropriate personnel, and will have the responsibility for decisions in relation to the education of students in special education.

Duties and Responsibilities :

• Coordination of planning, monitoring, and data collection for assigned schools based on Director of Special Education's schedule,
• In collaboration with the Director of Special Education, participate and / or plan material development for monitoring as well as the development, organization, and implementation of training programs required by OSEP, ALSDE, BCS as well as data indicators including.
• Provide constructive feedback to teachers and / or schools for improvement of future monitoring cycles and implement plan with collaboration of area program specialist.
• Conduct other data collection activities as identified based on district non-negotiables.
• Complete Corrective Action Plan and Student Level Corrective Action Plan as needed for schools and students then provide training, in collaboration with the Director of Special Education and area program specialists to implement.
• Conduct follow-up reviews of Corrective Action Plans and Student Level Corrective Action Plans to verify each record has been corrected.
• Based upon identified needs, including final decisions from state complaints and due process hearings, determinations, fiscal review, and other findings; implement agreements and guidance materials. Work with the Director of Special Education to monitor the results of implemented activities / programs.
• Coordinate activities with stakeholders to inform both system improvement and increased educational outcomes.
• Abide by and follow IDEA as well as Alabama Administrative Code for IDEA Part B.
• Prepare and maintain extensive paperwork / documentation including, but not limited to, accurate logs, records, forms and reports, and develops procedures to monitor the children in the program as well as to provide information essential for proper accountability and financial / budgetary considerations.
• Submit all required reports, completed and accurate, to Director of Special Education by deadlines.
• Provide weekly briefings to Director of Special Education regarding school and area data, trends, needs, observations, etc.
• Follow a weekly schedule.
• Collaborate with area program specialists for ESY services, etc. after collection of forms.
• Attend meetings, seminars and workshops to keep informed of new laws, rules, regulations and directives regarding the education of children with disabilities.
• Attend district meetings as appropriate.
• Supervise and evaluate special education teachers and other related service personnel.
• Implement accountability measures for faculty and staff members in collaboration with area program specialists after collaboration with Director of Special Education.
• Conduct school-team meetings as assigned by Director via collaboration with area program specialist assigned to the applicable school.
• Establish working relationships with school personnel and parents / guardians.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct needed trainings for specific school teams and / or individuals based on data results and area program specialist's recommendations.
• Conduct Mandt trainings as assigned.
• Conduct Parent Project trainings as assigned.
• Participate in hiring processes for special education teachers and other related service personnel as appropriate and needed.
• Possess and demonstrate thorough knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the services and education of children with disabilities as well as other regulated programs.
• Good knowledge of pediatric and adolescent development (cognitive and physical) and of medical and psychological diagnostic instruments as they relate to assessing the needs of children with disabilities.
• Good knowledge of terms used to describe physical and learning disabilities.
• Good knowledge of the medical and educational services available to program participants.
• Compliance and implementation with community referral processes and procedures in the district.
• Conduct school-team meetings as assigned by Director via collaboration with area program specialist assigned to the applicable school.
• Establish working relationships with school personnel and parents / guardians.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct needed trainings for specific school teams and / or individuals based on data results and area program specialist's recommendations.
• Conduct Mandatory trainings as assigned.
• Conduct Parent Project trainings as assigned.
• Ability to develop good working relationships with others as well as exhibit integrity and compassion for students and stakeholders.
• Possess and demonstrate a high degree of oral and written language skills.
• Possess and demonstrate problem solving skills.
• Possess and demonstrate leadership skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently via effective scheduling and human capital management.
• Possess and demonstrate patience and resilience.
• Possess and demonstrate time-management skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects and respond to requests and deadlines in an accurate, timely manner.
• Ability to make sound decisions within the parameters of authority.
• Be courteous, professional and tactful at all times,
• Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment in resolving problems.
• Ability to work productively with diverse populations, teachers, parents, board members, and community members, including demonstrated expertise in building and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Ability to attend to assigned work schedule with limited absenteeism.

Qualifications :

Application Requirements :

Physical Requirements :

Physical strength, mobility, dexterity, stamina, and acuity are required to perform job responsibilities.