JOB SPECIFICATION

POSITION: Special Education Coordinator
JOB CODE: ESS4009  
DEPARTMENT: ESS/SSS
LOCATION: Great Hearts Harveston 
REPORTS TO: Headmaster
EEO Classification: Professional
FLSA STATUS (Salaried-Exempt)

Position Summary

The Special Education Coordinator is a campus leadership position that will play a critical role in founding 
Great Hearts Harveston and building the footings and structures that will enable the school to provide access 
to the Great Hearts classical, liberal arts education to all families who want it for their children.
Specifically, the Special Education Coordinator will, in collaboration with the Harveston Head of School and GH 
Sr. Director of Exceptional Student Services, coordinate all aspects of the individualized Special Education 
Process at Great Hearts Harveston. They will collaborate with teachers, school leadership, and East Baton 
Rouge Parish district representatives to ensure that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and 
the quality of programs for students with disabilities reflect the philosophy of Great Hearts with regards to 
providing access to our rich, classical liberal arts experience, and will comply with federal, state, and local 
requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Support for Instructional Planning and Services
• Assists the campus administration to ensure that the IEP process and the quality of programs for 
  students with disabilities reflect the philosophy of Great Hearts with regards to providing access to our 
  rich, classical liberal arts experience, and comply with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Facilitates IEP and Evaluation committee meetings in the development of the IEPs.
• Drafts IEP and Evaluation documentation in compliance with state and federal law.
• Consults with school staff about implementation of the IEPs, appropriate accommodations and 
  modifications, and strategies for learning.
• Partners with and operate as liaison for parents of students with disabilities in pursuit of effective IEPs.
• Collaborates heavily with other Special Student Services Coordinators (Section 504, MTSS, ESL)
• Manages caseload and assignments to meet compliance timelines for IEP committee meetings and 
  services to students.
• Disseminates information regarding policies and procedures for Special Education Services to 
  leadership, faculty, and families
• Coordinates all aspects of Special Education Evaluations.
• Manages and coordinates with contracted related services (Speech, OT, PT, Counseling) to ensure 
  quality service and IEP compliance.
• Provide assistance with the organizational needs of the Special Education Department.
• Collaborate on student data reporting relative to state and federal funding and compliance, as needed.
• Support the organizational needs of campuses, upon request.

The Special Education Coordinator’s Role in Student Achievement

• Work collaboratively with teachers and campus administrators in the creation of a supportive school 
  environment that meets the academic and developmental needs of all students.
• Support the creation and implementation of special education services on the school campus in support 
  of academic and skill development in students with special needs.
• Provide assistance to teachers and school administrators in the creation of a school climate and culture 
  that effectively manages student behavior in the pursuit of the habits of virtue and in accordance with 
  the code of conduct.
• Interpret student data to assist all teachers with growth of students with disabilities.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.

Professional Learning

• Create and deliver staff development presentations to paraprofessionals, teachers and campus 
  administrators on topics related to special education and service to students with disabilities.
• Proactively find and attend in-service training to promote and grow in knowledge and skill.

Qualities of an Effective Special Education Campus Coordinator

• Use effective communication skills, written and oral, to present information accurately and clearly to 
  student, parents and staff.
• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents and community members.
• Maintain familiarity with current trends in the areas of curriculum and special education.
• Keep informed of and comply with state, district, and school regulations and policies for staff, including 
  daily attendance, punctuality and confidentiality.
• Compile, maintain and file all reports, records and other required documents.
• Attend and participate in Special Education Department meetings and serve on committees, as 
  required.
• Demonstrate the following core values: integrity, high expectations, commitment, respect, dedication to 
  teamwork and passion for a student centered environment.
• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job.

Personal Qualities and Values
Passionately Committed 
With humility and curiosity, we seek to know more about our core purpose; seek to share (with each other and 
with others externally as an advocate); seek to live the mission ourselves with relentless pursuit and intrinsic 
motivation; seek to understand our work and how it serves the mission…which should result in getting the right 
stuff done with measurable results because we love actualization – not just the theory.

Servant’s Heart 
The foundational element of having a servant’s heart is the acknowledgement of inherent dignity in their fellow 
human. Someone with a servant’s heart believes that their work is to promote the development of those around 
them and make it possible for others to be successful in serving the mission of the organization.

Team Player
We believe our mission can only be accomplished through collaboration and receive true joy in being a part of 
something greater than ourselves; Each of us is one part of a whole, each with different roles, expertise and 
responsibilities; working together in synchronicity.

Qualifications, Competencies & Strengths
Education: 

• Master’s Degree (preferred not required)
• Valid Louisiana Special Education Certification

Experience:

• Two years of successful Special Education teaching experience, preferably in Louisiana.

Special Skills:

• Ability to prepare appropriate individual education program (IEPs)
• Knowledge of local, state and federal rules and regulations pertaining to special education
• Knowledge of various special education eligibility conditions and the challenges to learning Knowledge 
  of curriculum in grades K through 12
• Experience with campus leadership
• Basic computer skills
• Strong organization and communication (written and oral)
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff, students and parents

Additional Requirements

Employment is subject to passing a fingerprint criminal history check, from the State Bureau of Criminal 
Identification.

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.

Travel required: May need to travel, albeit seldomly, to other GH regions (Texas, Arizona, Florida).

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.