Special Education Care Coordinator

Compass Family Services; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health, dental & vision insurance

Retirement plan with 5% employer match

Union membership

Job summary

Compass Family Services’ Special Education Care Coordinator ensures that children enrolled in our ECE programs receive timely special education and inclusion services. This role serves as the primary liaison between families, SFUSD, GGRC and service providers, guiding referrals and evaluations within mandated timelines.

Key duties include coordinating services, maintaining tracking systems, collaborating with Speech and Language Pathologists, and facilitating smooth IFSP-to-IEP transitions while

Qualifications

• BA degree with 1 year of relevant experience or AA with 2 years.
• Experience with low-income/homeless populations preferred.
• Strong knowledge of IEP, 504s, and IFSPs.
• Spanish bilingual strongly preferred.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Outlook, and Excel; Salesforce a plus.
• Experience working with diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate special education services for enrolled children to ensure timely access.
• Serve as liaison with SFUSD, GGRC, physicians, and service providers.
• Develop and maintain tracking systems for developmental concerns and referrals across multiple sites.
• Guide families through referral and evaluation process with clear communication.
• Work with Speech and Language Pathologists and Early Interventionists to ensure access to needed services.
• Ensure timely transitions from IFSP to IEP and document processes.
• Maintain knowledge of special education laws and timelines.

Skills

Communication skills

Spanish language

Independent and team player

Knowledge of IEP processes

MS Word/Outlook/Excel

Education

BA degree in Child Development, Mental Health, Special Education or related field

AA degree in Child Development, Mental Health, Special Education or related fields

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Organization:

Compass Family Services is a 100+ year old nonprofit working on the front lines of San Francisco’s homeless crisis. We provide families experiencing or at risk of homelessness with comprehensive support to address immediate needs and ensure long-term success.

Program:

Compass’s early childhood programs include 3 center-based programs tailored to meet the specific needs of children living in extreme poverty and homelessness. Together, the programs serve over 200 children ages 0-5 and their families each day. They address the social, emotional, cognitive, language, physical development, and special education needs of the children, as well as the functioning and well-being of the families. e community garden. These are all supported by our highly-qualified teaching staff and a wide variety of age-appropriate teaching tools.

Salary:

$80,000 - $90,000 annually

Schedule:

Full time, Monday - Friday; exact schedule varies based on needs of the program

Location:

Coordinator will work at Compass' ECE programs in the Mission, Tenderloin and Civic Center; their main office will most likely be at 299 Dolores Street

Organizational Core Competencies:

Accountable / Adaptable / Client-centered / Collaborative / Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging / Resourceful

Role Description:

The Special Education Care Coordinator ensures that children enrolled at Holy Family Day Home, Compass Children’s Center, and Helen Hawk receive appropriate and timely special education and inclusion services. This role serves as the primary liaison between families and the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC) and service providers. They lead families through the referral and evaluation process while ensuring compliance with special education laws and mandated timelines.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinate special education services for enrolled children to ensure timely access to appropriate supports.
• Serve as a liaison with SFUSD, Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC), children’s physicians, and other relevant agencies and service providers.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking all developmental concerns and referrals across multiple childcare sites.
• Guide and support families through the full referral and evaluation process, clearly explaining each step and providing ongoing communication.
• Work closely with the Speech and Language Pathologists and Early Interventionists to ensure access to all needed services for students.
• Ensure that transitions from GGRC (IFSP) to SFUSD (IEP) are completed in a timely manner.
• Collect, review, and submit required documentation in accordance with legal and program requirements.
• Maintain strong knowledge of special education laws, regulations, and legally mandated timelines to ensure compliance.
• Build and maintain relationships with local service providers to facilitate timely access to evaluations and services.
• Review ASQ screening data in Sparkler and collaborate with teaching staff and families to determine and initiate appropriate referrals.
• Partner with teaching staff to monitor progress and ensure continuity of care and services.

Qualifications:

• BA degree and 1 year of experience in Child Development, Mental Health, Special Education or related fields or AA degree and 2 years of experience in Child Development, Mental Health, Special Education or related fields.
• Experience working with low-income and/or homeless population preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of special education: the IEP process, 504s, and IFSPs.
• Bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred
• Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Knowledge of child development and assessment of young children’s social and emotional functioning preferred.
• Proficiency with basic computer programs including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel. Salesforce experience a plus!
• Experience working with people from diverse racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Must pass LiveScan fingerprinting process and background check.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging work.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 annually; full time exempt.
• Paid time off: 4 weeks of vacation your first year, 5 in your second. Also paid holidays, sick time, family leave.
• Insurance: health, dental and vision insurance are fully covered by Compass for employees and dependent children. We also provide long term disability and life insurance.
• Retirement: after one year of work, Compass contributes an amount equal to 5% of your salary into a retirement account; this vests during years 2-6.
• Membership in OPEIU/Local 29 union.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively seek to recruit a diverse workforce. Employees must embrace the idea that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging contribute to the success of our underserved communities, and therefore to shared prosperity in our city and region. Compass Family Services is committed to the continuous work of implementing specific actions that will disrupt systemic prejudice and improve equity across programs and departments, to become an example to partners who also believe in a culture of inclusion that leverages diversity.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and California civil rights law, Compass Family Services will provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or candidate with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship for the agency. Requests for reasonable accommodation apply to all aspects of the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please use the answer box for the final question of the job application to let us know.