Special Education Program Specialist

 

Program:  Special Education

Classification:  Certificated

Salary:  Certificated Salary Schedule (Appendix B, GTA negotiated agreement)

Evaluator:  Director, Student Services or Designee

 

 

BASIC FUNCTION:  Under the direction of the Director, Student Services assists with support of special education program activities of the district including participating in the development and implementation of program, policies, and practices relative to the needs of students with disabilities.

 

ESSENTIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   

 

• Assist teachers with the instructional process.

 

• Lead special education team meetings.

• Act as liaison with non-public schools, county-operated programs, and other school districts to determine student placement in special education programs.

• Plan and implement staff development and parent education relating to special education programs.

• Support all staff with technical assistance for special education programs.

• Confer and communicate with teachers and parents regarding the effectiveness of special education programs.

• Work closely with staff to coordinate, manage, assess needs, and determine student assignment in regards to special education programs.

• Implement, supervise and evaluate programmatic services to eligible students and their families.

• Coordinate, implement, supervise and evaluate the development of special education programs.

Job Description – Program Specialist

 

• Compile special education program information into reports for parent groups and other audiences.

• Serve as a resource for information regarding laws, regulations, and procedures related to

special education programs.

• Compile requested data into reports required by special education programs.

• Provide information for reports required by the State or District.

• Participates in special studies and projects developed in the District.

• Adheres to the Professional Standards and Code of Ethics, as stated in District Policy.

• Continues to grow professionally through attendance at conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and college courses.

• Other related duties as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• MA degree or equivalent preferred.
• Experience in designing accommodations and modifications for students with exceptional needs; analysis of assessment results.
• A minimum of five years of experience in special education programs preferred.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid California special education credential or clinical services credential, or health services credential, or a school psychologist authorization; advanced training and related experience in the education of individuals with exceptional needs and a specialized in-depth knowledge in preschool disabilities, career vocational development, or one or more areas of major disabling conditions.

• Valid California Driver’s License

• Proof of current automobile insurability

• Maintain valid TB skin test on file at the District Office, Human Resources Department

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers,  clients, customers,  general public and staff.

 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.   Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

 

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exits.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

 

 OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned.  Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers, and parents; skill in oral and written communication.  Abilities to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion; work within a changing and demanding environment with unpredictable resources; make effective decision and take  action; prioritize workload and conflicting demands; schedule work; demonstrate organizational, time management, analytical and problem solving skills; establish and maintain working relationships with staff, subordinates, and administrators; sit for prolonged periods; work with constant interruptions; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; maintain confidentiality of student records; meet schedules and deadlines; read/interpret/apply rules, regulations, policies; learn about method and materials used in a variety of instructional situations; interact positively with persons of different age groups and cultural backgrounds.

 

 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

 

Physical Abilities:  Sit for prolonged periods, work with minimal supervision, think logically, be attentive to detail, and utilize problem-solving methodology.  Work with diverse audiences and present information in clear understandable formats. 

 

Significant Physical Abilities:  Reaching, handling, fingering, talking, and hearing ordinary conversations, near vision/visual accommodation.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristic 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.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to quiet.

 

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  The individual(s) currently holding this position perform additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.