Education Specialist

Altus Schools; California (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

CalSTRS retirement

Free Teacher Induction Program

Job summary

Altus Schools in California seeks an Education Specialist to support students with special needs within our University Model. You will maintain IEP records, assess student progress, and collaborate with staff to tailor individualized plans.

The role emphasizes inclusive practices, interdisciplinary teamwork, and ongoing program improvement. The position requires California credentialing, strong assessment and planning skills, and a commitment to equity and student success in a 100% onsite, TK-12

Qualifications

• Knowledge of different common disabilities and instructional strategies.
• Executive functioning instruction and supporting social skills development.
• Various formal academic assessment tools in reading, language arts, and mathematics (e.g., WJIV, KTEA).
• Strategies for student motivation.
• Instructional strategies involving computerization.
• Secondary curriculum including advanced mathematics.
• Cooperative learning models and Universal Design for Learning.
• IEP timelines and procedures.
• Laws and regulations related to special education.
• SEIS knowledge preferred.
• Work with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license and reliable transportation.
• TB Clearance
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance through DOJ/FBI

Responsibilities

• Writes and implements components of the IEP and coordinates services.
• Develops educational plans to meet individual learner needs.
• Evaluates students to identify needs and maintain records.
• Teaches to progress toward student goals and objectives.
• Coordinates services delineated in the IEP.
• Collaborates with staff, parents, and agencies for service delivery.
• Maintains accurate special education records and timelines.
• Conducts home visits to enhance student engagement.
• Contributes to and collaborates with the special education department.
• Participates in curriculum and data/technology focused teams.
• Creates and maintains community partnerships and supports marketing.
• Administers, scores, and interprets academic assessments and sets goals.
• Supports PPEP development for each student.
• Provides consult services to Resource Center staff.
• Evaluates effectiveness of teaching strategies and adjusts delivery.
• Works with teachers on teaming/communication and curriculum adjustments.
• Participates in regular and ongoing marketing and outreach activities.

Skills

IEP knowledge

Assessment literacy

Collaboration

Instructional planning

Student motivation

Education

California Clear or Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential Mild/Moderate or ESN

CLAD Certification / ELA 1 Authorization

Master’s Degree preferred

Job description

BASIC FUNCTION/DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

Altus Schools are an educational option for students in grades K-5 and 6-12. The instructional design is based on a
“University Model.” Students work independently and attend tutoring sessions. Students come at scheduled times
to maintain a safe environment and supportive school culture. The course of study is based on the California State
Framework.

Altus Schools are seeking competent, energetic, student-centered educators with exceptional management and organizational skills, who understand youth, are able to motivate students, set high expectations, welcome accountability, and are good team players.

An Altus Schools Education Specialist will: 1) support the instructional program for students with special needs,2) maintain and create accurate records for special education students, 3) on-going student assessment and
evaluation, 4) on-going planning with instructional staff.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Writes and implements all components of the Individualized Education Plan.
• Develops educational plans for the purpose of meeting the individual needs of unique learners.
• Evaluates students for the purpose of identifying student needs and maintain accurate records
• Teaches/instructs students for the purpose of ensuring successful progress towards student's goals and
  objectives.
• Coordinates services for students as delineated in the IEP.
• Consults/collaborates with staff, parents, and non- public agencies for the purpose of ensuring appropriate
  delivery of services
• Maintains accurate special education records and adheres to special education timelines on compliance
  issues
• Conducts home visits as necessary to enhance student engagement.
• Contributes and collaborates with special education department
• Participates on a department with a specific focus on curriculum, college and career readiness, equity and inclusion, or data and technology systems integration.
• Creates and maintains community partnerships and serves as a key participant in the organization’s marketing plan
• Administer, score, and interpret academic assessment testing and develop applicable goals and objectives
  for student services.
• Support general education staff in developing individualized Pathways Personalized Education Plan (PPEP)
  for each student
• Provide consultant services to regular Resource Center Instructors and ancillary staff.
• Evaluate effectiveness of strategies and techniques used and adjust instruction and delivery
• Work with teachers to develop and maintain teaming/communication
• Modify core curriculum and implement appropriate teaching strategies
• Responsible for developing, implementing, and participating in regular and ongoing marketing and community
  outreach activities and events to ensure students and parents are aware of the school as a free public option
• Responsible for developing, implementing, and participating in regular and ongoing student retention activities and strategies to ensure no student drops out and that continued academic engagement is present
• Customarily and regularly exercises discretion and independent judgement on issues that significantly impact
  special education student outcomes.
• Perform other duties as assigned or changed with or without notice.
• Maintain consistent and regular attendance.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge of different common disabilities and instructional strategies
• Executive functioning instruction and supporting social skills development.
• Various formal academic assessment tools in reading, language arts, and mathematics. Such as the WJIV,
  KTEA
• Strategies for student motivation.
• Instructional strategies involving computerization.
• Secondary curriculum including advanced mathematics
• Cooperative learning models Universal Design for Learning
• IEP timelines and procedures
• Laws and regulations related to special education.
• SEIS knowledge preferred
• Work with students from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license and reliable transportation
• TB Clearance
• Obtain Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance through the DOJ and FBI

CERTIFICATIONS:

California Clear or Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential Mild/Moderate or Extensive Support Needs
CLAD Certification/ ELA 1 Authorization
Master’s Degree preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS:

ENVIRONMENT: Indoor, office setting; exposure to computer screens.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Hearing and speaking to exchange information with staff, and external vendors;
seeing to read, proofread, perform clerical tasks and periodic work on a computer screen; intermittent
sitting, standing, and walking throughout the workday; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a
computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead,
above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting light objects; driving
a vehicle to attend visits at resource centers, external venues, and staff meetings.

When applying, candidates will select their preferred Altus School.

LOCATION:

228 Work Day Contract - 12 month - 100% onsite (Monday-Friday)

• Altus Schools Charter School of San Diego: www.altuscssd.com
• Altus Schools East County: www.altuseastcounty.com
• Altus Schools South Bay: www.altussouthbay.com
• Altus Schools Coastal: www.altuscoastal.com
• Altus Schools North County: www.altusnorthcounty.com

COMMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION:

Join Our Award-Winning Team at Altus Schools!

Altus Schools is a network of innovative, WASC-accredited public charter schools dedicated to transforming the lives of students in grades TK–12 through personalized education. For more than 30 years, Altus has redefined what learning can look like—offering students a flexible, individualized approach that meets them where they are and helps them achieve their personal and academic goals.

Our award-winning program features:

• Customized course plans
• One-on-one teacher support
• Individualized college and career planning
• Flexible scheduling

Altus Schools is proud to be a two-time recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (2015 and 2021)—the nation’s highest honor for performance excellence. As the first K–12 school system to earn this distinction and the only educational organization to receive it twice, Altus sets the benchmark for quality, innovation, and continuous improvement in education.

Our unique “University Model” blends independent study with in-person labs and tutorials at safe, modern, and technology-rich resource centers across San Diego County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. Together, our educators, students, and families create a collaborative community that inspires success and lifelong learning.

Join Altus Schools—where innovation, support, and excellence come together to help every student thrive.

For more information visit our website at: altus4u.com

SELECTION PROCESS:

Qualified applicants will first complete a brief work-styles/behavioral survey and a math assessment. Candidates who successfully complete this initial phase will be invited to a panel interview with School Administrators. Candidates recommended from the first interview will advance to a final interview with the Deputy Superintendent School Services and Founding Director, and the Superintendent School Services and Founder.

Please note that not all applicants will be invited to interview, and only those selected will be contacted regarding next steps. Hiring decisions are made based on the full evaluation process, and we do not discuss our hiring decisions with applicants.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Employees are eligible for coverage beginning the first day of the month following sixty (60) days of employment. The benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, and life insurance, and a variety of employee-paid voluntary benefits. The benefits are 100% employer-paid for the employee and all eligible dependents!

This position contributes to CalSTRS retirement.

At Altus Schools, we offer a FREE Teacher Induction Program to all teachers with a preliminary Single- or Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential!

• medical
• dental
• vision
• chiropractic
• life insurance
• employee-paid voluntary benefits
• CalSTRS retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity: Altus Schools is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to afford equal employment and advancement opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, gender, sex, sex stereotype, religious creed, marital/registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. This policy extends to all job applicants and employees and to all aspects of the employment relationship, including the hiring of new employees and the training, transfer, promotion, discipline, termination, compensation and benefits of existing employees.