CAVA - Education Specialist (K5, MS, HS) - Eligibility Pools

CAVA; Simi Valley (CA); Remote; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

California Virtual Academies seeks an Education Specialist to deliver specialized instruction to students with disabilities in a virtual setting. You will manage a caseload, conduct IEP meetings, coordinate with general educators, and support students both online and in-person during state testing.

This full-time role requires CA residence, a valid credential, and EL authorization, with salary based on degree and experience. Training and benefits discussed post-offer.

Qualifications

• Permanent California Residence (must reside in service area).
• Valid California Education Specialist Instruction Credential for Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe.
• California English Learner Authorization issued by CTC.
• Bachelor's degree required; strong content knowledge and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Support assigned students receiving Special Education services.
• Provide direct services via online classroom or in-person as needed.
• Obtain academic present levels and baselines for IEPs.
• Draft and manage IEPs and coordinate with IEP team members.
• Schedule monthly conferences with general education teachers and families.
• Proctor state testing and attend required meetings.
• Maintain confidential records and timely communication with families.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Organization

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

California Education Specialist Instruction Credential

California English Learner Authorization

Permanent California Residence

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA VIRTUAL ACADEMIES AND THE EDUCATION SPECIALIST POSITION:

The California Virtual Academies (a network of 9 public charter schools) delivers online/virtual home-based instruction to TK-12 students in California. K12, inc. is our curriculum provider and you will instruct your students online via the Engageli Program.

Education Specialists are responsible for the specialized academic instruction (SAI) for students with disabilities and case management duties. You will manage a caseload of students, including scheduling and holding IEP meetings. You can have a wide variety of grades on your caseload (TK-5, 6-8, or 9-12). However, when you teach your SAI classes or provide specialized academic services in general education classes, they will be geared towards a more narrow grade range and correlated to students’ goals and the standards with which those goals are aligned. Most communication is done virtually via video conference, teleconference, regular phone calls, email, and instant messaging. There are in-person meetings and trainings that take place periodically throughout the school year that you will be required to attend. Additionally, you will be required to participate in-person for state testing at a location near your residence.

HOURS AND SALARY INFORMATION:

Full time: Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm You are not allowed to have another job during these contracted hours

Full Time Education Specialists: Annual salary based on holding a Bachelors or Masters Degree and up to 3 years of experience in California

We do participate in CalSTRS. Please contact your CalSTRS counselor about how employment with any of the California Virtual Academies may affect your personal STRS account. Only full time employees are offered health, dental, and vision benefits. Benefits information is only given out upon offer. We do provide training for all programs and we have a great staff to serve as your support system.

REQUIRED CREDENTIAL/CERTIFICATION:

(All applicants MUST have the following at the time of applying)

PLEASE NOTE: We DO NOT accept temporary county certificates, out-of-state, intern, expired, emergency, short-term staff permits, or credentials in the process of being obtained. All applicants must meet all requirements at the time of applying in order to be considered.

• Permanent California Residence (Must currently reside in 1 of the 42 counties we service students and hire in)
• Valid/current Preliminary/Clear/Life California Education Specialist Instruction Credential in Mild/Moderate or the new Mild/Moderate Support Needs AND/OR Moderate/Severe Disabilities or the new Extensive Support Needs
• California English Learner Authorization- Issued by CTC

Job Title: Education Specialist – Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe

Reports To: Special Education Mentor

FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: Special Education

Overview:

Virtual schools are new models in public education. They look both backward to what we know works well in educating children, and forward to see how technology can help us implement these strategies with children. Virtual school teachers are part of a pioneering effort. Our teachers, therefore, need to share the school’s pioneering mission and approach.

Summary

The Education Specialist requires a firm understanding of how best practices from a classroom can be applied to our innovative model and an openness to explore the ways technology can help create new best practices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support assigned students receiving Special Education services
• Provide direct services (either via online classroom or in person) as needed to students in accordance with their IEP
• Obtain academic present levels/baselines
• Follow up with providers to confirm that IEP attendance, reports, and services are being completed
• Schedule and hold individual monthly phone conferences with the general education teachers and for families of students assigned to caseload, follow up on any noted concerns
• Complete ongoing contact logs
• Be available for families on your caseload or assigned to your SAI classes on an as needed basis via phone and online during school hours
• Email IEP related documents to the office to send out to parents
• Set up IEPs in online classroom, and secure IEP team members
• Ensure all documents are submitted and available prior to IEP meeting (psych report, related services provider reports/goals, GE/Parent progress) and forwarded to IEP Team members.
• Email/mail all reports to parents
• Write and manage IEPs for students on caseload
• Obtain signatures on all applicable IEP documents
• Draft ITP’s and hold transition meetings, as appropriate
• Monitor confidential tracking database for all IEP documents
• Follow up with parental or teacher concerns
• Work closely with Special Education Lead Education Specialist and/or Program Specialist to report any concerns
• Ensure files are compliant=
• Update appropriate database(s) with services, accommodations, IEP dates and other necessary information
• Proctor students during state testing windows (may be virtual and in-person)
• Attend all professional development meetings (may be virtual and in-person)
• Attend all Special Education department meetings (may be virtual and in-person)
• Attend SELPA training as required (may be virtual and in-person)
• Complete IEP Progress Reports for each student, including Related Services Provider progress as reported by the Related Services Provider
• At the end of the year gather all individual student records and communications for digital archiving (IEP’s, monthly progress notes from teacher, parent input form, reports from evaluations, etc.)
• Teach in the online classroom
• Respond as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours to parent, student, teacher, and administrative inquiries via phone and/or email during regular work week
• Attend all in person meetings as scheduled
• Other duties as assigned

Additional Responsibilities:

Education specialists are expected to participate actively in and attend Open House and Orientation events for new families throughout the year.

Requirements/Experience:

• Reside in the state of California
• Bachelor's degree
• Strong content and subject-matter knowledge
• Ability to support and guide adults, as well as students
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Organization and time-management skills
• Excellent writing and grammar skills
• Flexible
• Proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word, and Outlook, PowerPoint and experience using them in a professional capacity

Certificates and Licenses:

Must hold a valid California Education Specialist Instruction Credential in Mild/Moderate or the new Mild/Moderate Support Needs AND/OR Moderate/Severe Disabilities or the new Extensive Support Needs

California English Language Authorization

Assignment of Students:

Students will be assigned to education specialists by the Program Specialist or designees according to a number of variables. Full time classes will be filled prior to assigning students to part time education specialists. Education specialists with special education experience will be assigned students with special needs.

Competencies:

• Adaptability: Accepts and incorporates feedback; Adapts to changes in the work environment; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Manages competing demands; Inspires the trust of others; Keeps commitments; Treats people with respect; Upholds organizational values; Works with integrity and ethically
• Communications: Exhibits good listening and comprehension; Expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; Keeps others adequately informed; Selects and uses appropriate communication methods; Facilitates communication between various members of the IEP team including both internal and external service providers
• Dependability: Commits to doing the best job possible; Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Keeps commitments; Meets attendance and punctuality guidelines; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Takes responsibility for own actions
• Job Knowledge: Competent in required job skills and knowledge; Displays understanding of how job relates to others; Exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; Keeps abreast of current developments; Requires minimal supervision; Uses resources effectively
• Planning & Organization: Integrates changes smoothly; Plans for additional resources; Prioritizes and plans work activities; Sets goals and objectives; Uses time efficiently; Works in an organized manner
• Quality: Applies feedback to improve performance; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Displays commitment to excellence; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Monitors own work to ensure quality
• Use of Technology: Adapts to new technologies; Demonstrates required skills; Keeps technical skills up to date; Troubleshoots technological problems; Uses technology to increase productivity
• Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; and experience using a student information system and/or other type of database software. Experience moderating online meetings (Blackboard Collaborate, Webinar, Webex) for small and large groups

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics 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. A flexible schedule is required.

This position is a virtual position working from a home office. Must have ability to travel throughout the school year within and between assigned geographic areas to support students, attend regularly scheduled meetings, proctor state exams and participate in school activities and orientations.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.

Restrictions on Time Off:

TBD based on the school calendar

* Use of sick time under the California Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 may be approved during the above restricted dates

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.