JOB SPECIFICATION

POSITION: ESS Specialist  

DEPARTMENT: GHAESS – AZ - ESS       

LOCATION: 101GHA – GH (AZ) Phoenix Home Office   

REPORTS TO: National Director of ESS     

FLSA STATUS: Exempt, Full-time

Position Summary

The responsibilities of the Great Hearts Home Office ESS Specialist are ongoing, intermittent and cyclical. The core responsibility of the Specialist is to be of service to the onsite Academy ESS Leads and ESSCs, academy administration, faculty and staff on topics related to ESS. This could be in the form of providing training and technical assistance, helping on-site teams in their preparation for elevated special education meetings, and reviewing paperwork in preparation of compliance reviews.

In addition to this core responsibility the ESS Specialist may also be the lead on projects and responsibilities in specific areas that come under the domain of the Exceptional Student Services department, based on the Specialist’s strengths and interests. Examples of these special projects could include the development and provision of training for network faculty, design of processes or documents used to support the academies’ service of students and fulfillment of legal obligations, and the evaluation, selection, and development of curricular materials and approaches.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ongoing

• Engage with and support the special education program for assigned academies within the GreatHeart’s network
• Provide support to Exceptional Student Services Coordinators (ESSC) and Academy ESS Leads (ESSL) regarding special education law and assist with elevated cases
• Assist  site-based te a ms pre pare for ele vat ed IEP a nd Evaluation ( M ET) meeti ngs
• Review special education documents using the ADE monitoring keys and provide technical assistance to the ESSCs and ESSLs
• Develop and implement trainings for ESS department
• Conduct training for ESSCs and ESSLs  in a one-on-one setting and through internal PD sessions
• Observe and assist in the evaluation of ESSCs and ESSLs
• Communicate regularly with ESS Home Office team regarding campus needs
• Update and maintain resources on electronic database
• Perform some cl erical work
• Document various ESS processes for the network
• Assist in the completion of compliance monitoring activities for ADE-ESS
• Participate in Arizona Department of Education (ADE) annual site visits
• Assist in annual data collection and submission
• Compile data for proposals

Intermittent

• Document various ESS processes for the network
• Assist in the completion of compliance monitoring activities for ADE-ESS
• Participate in Arizona Department of Education (ADE) annual site visits
• Assist in annual data collection and submission
• Compile data for proposals

Cyclical

• Screen and interview candidates for potential openings during the hiring process
• Provide feedback to ESSCs and ESSLs regarding their performance
• Assist in HM Training
• Review and update New Faculty Orientation (NFO) Materials, if needed
• Review and update ESS NFO Materials
• Plan and organize the ESS NFO
• Convey updated NFO material to ESSCs and ESSLs

Qualifications, Competencies, and Strengths

Minimum 3 years’ experience in field of special education or educational leadership

• Strong knowledge of special education law and practice
• Experience in instruction of students with disabilities
• Experience supervising and training education professionals

Strongly preferred

• History of employment with Great Hearts in field of special education preferred
• Experience working as part of a large school system
• Familiar with classical education and committed to promoting it

Strengths

• Team Player
• Servant Leader
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal
• Ability and orientation as a leader towards building capacity in the people they serve

Education/Certification Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required

Master’s degree and certification in special education field preferred

Additional Requirements

Type of fingerprint clearance: Must possess or obtain valid Arizona Department of Public Safety fingerprint clearance card.

Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.