POSITION: Lead Special Education/Exceptional Student Services Coordinator

JOB CODE: ESS4012

DEPARTMENT: ESS/SSS

LOCATION: Great Hearts Harveston

REPORTS TO: Head of School

EEO Classification: Prof

FLSA STATUS Salaried-Exempt

Position Summary

The Lead Special Education/ESS 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 Lead Special Education/ESS 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.

Organizational Management

• 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 Lead Special Education/ESS 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 Lead Special Education/ESS 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.