Permanent Substitute K-8 Special Education Program Coordinator (Dec 2024)

Andover Public Schools; Andover (MA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Special Education Administrator to oversee specialized programs for elementary and middle school students. This role involves managing staff training, facilitating IEP meetings, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in special education, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all students, where your expertise will make a significant impact on the educational experience of students with diverse needs.

Qualifications

• Licensed as an Administrator of Special Education with extensive experience.
• Knowledge of special education laws and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage specialized programs for elementary and middle school students.
• Supervise and evaluate special education staff across designated schools.
• Facilitate IEP meetings and maintain accurate records for compliance.

Skills

Special Education Knowledge

Communication Skills

Curriculum Adaptation

Staff Supervision

Problem Resolution

Education

Administrator of Special Education License

Teacher of Children with Moderate Special Needs

Teacher of Children with Severe Special Needs

School Adjustment Counselor

School Psychologist

Teacher of Children with Speech, Language, and Hearing disorders

Job description

Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of Special Services or his/her designee and in collaboration with building principals, assist in providing high quality programming and delivery of service for elementary and middle school students with diverse special needs.

1. Manage and supervise the elementary and middle school specialized programs (i.e. Bridge, Language Based or Excel) in the designated school(s), including: facilitating staff training designed to maximize the skills of diverse learners in the least restrictive setting; planning and facilitating IEP meetings; and managing all corresponding paperwork.
2. Work closely with ETFs, teachers, and specialists to ensure that timelines are met, and paperwork is completed.
3. Work with program heads and staff from other levels to ensure that the continuum of programming is in place across levels.
4. Conduct program referral sessions with elementary ETFs no later than mid-March for the following school year.
5. Facilitate transition planning between levels.
6. Maintain accurate record keeping required for state and federal reports.
7. Prepare departmental budgets as requested.
8. Meet regularly with special education department staff.
9. Serve as a resource to teams or individual staff members pertaining to the IEP process, evaluations, or support in team meetings.
10. Supervise and evaluate special education staff across the designated school(s) as coordinated with building principals and director of special services.
11. Plan and facilitate monthly special education department meetings (or as necessary).
12. Monitor the need for and coordinate specialized instruction training with the executive director and assistant director of special services for the designated level(s) to maintain the high caliber of instruction Andover provides.
13. Maintain documentation/record of staff trained in various programs.
14. Work with other program heads to coordinate the ordering of test protocols.
15. Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Special Services or his/her designee.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Licensed as an Administrator of Special Education.
2. Possess at least one of the following certifications:
   • Teacher of Children with Moderate Special Needs
   • Teacher of Children with Severe Special Needs
   • School Adjustment Counselor
   • School Psychologist
   • Teacher of Children with Speech, Language, and Hearing disorders
3. Extensive experience working with special needs students and current, in-depth knowledge of special education best practices and program design and development.
4. Experience and expertise in curriculum adaptation, staff development, staff supervision and evaluation, preferred.
5. In-depth knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and regulations relative to special education.
6. Demonstrated ability to work collegially with regular and special education administrators and staff.
7. Superior oral and written communication skills.
8. Demonstrated ability to resolve difficult issues with tact, diplomacy, and empathy.
9. Experience in oversight of the IEP process.

Salary/Work Days: Salary and contractual work days are subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Andover School Committee and the Andover Administrator’s Association.

Per Article 30-05 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, an administrator may receive his/her daily rate or compensatory time for days worked in excess of the contractual work period if granted prior approval by the Superintendent. The daily rate shall be computed by dividing the stipulated annual salary by the number of days within the designated work period. Such compensatory time shall not exceed seven (7) days.

Evaluation: Evaluated annually by the Executive Director of Special Services.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer: Andover Public Schools (APS) seeks candidates who embody our ethos, which includes valuing the identities of all students, high expectations for all students, teaching excellence, collaboration, innovation, respect, and responsibility. APS is committed to hiring and supporting a racially and ethnically diverse faculty and staff. Racially and ethnically diverse teachers produce a myriad of positive outcomes for all students, especially the most historically marginalized students.