Service Coordinator Lead Teacher for Early Childhood Special Education

Service Coordinator Lead.

Reports To: ECSE Supervisor.
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt (or Non-Exempt, as applicable).
Work Schedule: 192-day school year following the Early Childhood CARES calendar (includes a five-week summer program).

Organization Overview:

The Early Education Program (EEP) is a private nonprofit organization serving more than 220 preschool children throughout Lane County. Through our Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) and Preschool Promise programs, we partner with families to prepare children of all backgrounds and abilities for kindergarten and beyond.

EEP believes that every child deserves an engaging, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment where they can develop the skills needed for lifelong success.

Position Summary:

The Service Coordinator Lead Teacher serves as a lead teacher of an Early Childhood Special Education classroom while also overseeing the responsibilities of proper Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) implementation for all children and families enrolled in the classroom.

This position combines classroom team leadership and planning with attention to legal obligations and timelines related to implementing IFSP services.

The successful candidate is an exceptional teacher who enjoys coaching others, building strong relationships with families, and continuously growing as an educational leader. They also need to be able to effectively manage their workload and have a strong attention to detail and requirements.

Essential Responsibilities:

Classroom Leadership:

• Creates a safe, welcoming, organized, and engaging classroom environment that promotes learning and positive behavior.
• Ensures children are actively engaged in developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences that are predictable, intentional, and aligned with classroom themes and curriculum.
• Routinely engages children in meaningful interactions that extend learning and language development.
• Leads key instructional routines including circle time, transitions, small groups, and free choice activities.
• Implementing classroom curricula, while adapting instruction to meet individual developmental needs.
• Develops and maintains classroom systems that support positive behavior and maximize learning opportunities.
• Ensures classroom staff consistently implement effective instructional and behavior support strategies.

Team Leadership:

• Leads and supports classroom assistant teachers through coaching, modeling, and ongoing feedback.
• Provides regular positive performance feedback while addressing concerns promptly, respectfully, and constructively.
• Creates a welcoming and supportive environment for new employees.
• Conducts weekly classroom team meetings to review curriculum, child progress, IFSP goals, schedules, and classroom planning.
• Collaborates closely with Supervisors, Service Coordinator Leads, Associate Teachers, therapists, and Early Childhood CARES staff to continuously improve classroom quality.

IFSP Implementation:

• Write and monitor individualized family service plans and complete all required reports, assessments and other paperwork in a timely fashion. Record and store data in accordance with agency requirements.
• Monitor progress of all children in classroom in relation to individualized goals.
• Provide service coordination for all children in classroom, including but not limited to a mid-cycle review, an annual review, and a transition to IEP upon being school-aged eligible.
• Support others (classroom staff, families, etc.) in implementing the goals and objectives defined in childrens' IFSPs.
• Facilitate collaboration and communication between professionals and parents involved with the child and family.
• Write and implement behavior, social skills and sensory interventions.
• Collect attendance monthly from and document on each child’s service log and attendance log in EI/ECSE agency database.
• Complete change of placement paperwork for all children transitioning out of the program and support families in making placement decisions, such as arranging tours of other programs and participating in kindergarten transition meetings with the school district.
• Maintain CEUs and other educational requirements of the position.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Family Partnerships:

• Builds positive, respectful relationships with families based on trust, empathy, and open communication.
• Ensures families receive regular updates regarding child progress, classroom activities, lesson plans, and upcoming events.
• Communicates through ParentSquare and other approved methods at least weekly.
• Partners with families to support children's developmental progress both at school and at home.

Physical Requirements:

This position regularly requires the ability to:

• Lift, push, or pull up to 30 pounds.
• Sit, kneel, and work on the floor with preschool-aged children.
• Frequently transition between floor sitting and standing.
• Move quickly throughout the classroom, including running short distances when necessary.
• Participate in active indoor and outdoor supervision.

Qualifications:

Required:

• EI/ECSE Specialist Authorization through Oregon Department of Education OR;
• TSPC licensure.
• Enrollment in the Oregon Central Background Registry.
• Oregon Registry Online (ORO) Step 10 or higher.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience implementing Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs).
• Previous experience in an Early Childhood Special Education classroom.

OR:

Qualify for Service Coordinator In-Training With Provided Professional Development:

The Early Education Program will provide on job training and development to candidates who meet the following criteria:

• Eligibility to obtain Oregon EI/ECSE Specialist Authorization through a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Child Development, Education, or a closely related field.
• Experience working with children with developmental delays or disabilities.
• Enrollment in the Oregon Central Background Registry.
• Oregon Registry Online (ORO) Step 10 or higher.

Candidate must apply for Oregon EI/ECSE Specialist Authorization immediately upon hire and successfully complete all requirements including creating a professional portfolio for submission to Oregon Department of Education within one year of employment that successfully demonstrates competencies necessary to transition into role of Service Coordinator Lead

Pay & Benefits:

• Competitive salary based on education and experience.
• 192-day school year following the Early Childhood CARES calendar including a five-week summer program.
• Generous paid time off.
• Paid holidays and scheduled school breaks.
• Medical and dental insurance (or insurance stipend for eligible employees).
• Employer retirement match.

About Early Education Program:

The Early Education Program (EEP) is Lane County’s largest specialized preschool. Since 1981, we have successfully served preschoolers with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and other developmental delays. In 2016, our organization expanded to also serve preschoolers from income-eligible families in the Eugene and Creswell communities through Oregon's Preschool Promise program. Currently, over 200 children attend our family of classrooms in Creswell, Eugene, Junction City, and Springfield. EEP offers great benefits, for eligible employees, paid time off, paid holidays, work life balance and a hands on, mission driven work environment.