Special Education Lead Coordinator

Great Hearts Academies; Apache Junction (AZ); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Hearts Academies’ Exceptional Student Services Lead is a K-5 leadership role at Blossom Rock Academy in Apache Junction. The position leads the ESS team, guides IEP meetings, and ensures compliance and effective service delivery for students with disabilities.

The role reports to the Headmaster, is full-time and exempt, and requires a Bachelor's degree with AZ Special Education certification. Master’s degree preferred; travel for development may be required.

Qualifications

• Requires a valid AZ Special Education teaching certificate.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
• Minimum 3 years as a special education coordinator.

Responsibilities

• Oversees caseload distribution and final assignment decisions.
• Coordinates annual IEP meetings for caseload students.
• Monitors IEP implementation by general education staff.
• Trains ESSCs on pedagogy and compliance.
• Represents ESS leadership to families and community.
• Ensures proper SIS data and payroll approvals.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Mentoring

Emotional intelligence

Collaboration

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

AZ Special Education Teaching Certificate (Mild-Moderate or K-12 Cross-Categorical)

Tools

Student Information Systems

IEP writing programs

MS Office Suite

Google

Job description

Position Title: Exceptional Student Services Lead Coordinator (K-5)

Location: Great Hearts Blossom Rock Academy (10075 S. Dutchman Dr., Apache Junction, AZ 85120)

Reports To: Headmaster

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Compensation Amount: starting at $55,360

The Academy Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Lead is a leadership role on campus and is the Team Lead of the ESS department. While their supervisory role does not replace the supervision from the headmaster, their role does extend leadership in the specific areas where they have experience and expertise, namely: supporting ESSCs in the preparation for and execution of IEP meetings, guiding the development of ESS teachers, teacher in residence and ESSAs, compliance in terms of IEP paperwork, and the first level of advisement in challenging situations with students or parents. They also represent the final decision at the ESS departmental level in terms of organizational logistics and strategy. First and foremost, the Academy ESS Lead must model the core virtues of the academy and pursue a deeper understanding of what it means to provide a classical, liberal arts education. They also lead the ESS team's pursuit towards our north star: in our daily work with people, we earn and maintain faith and confidence in our good will, judgment, knowledge, and skill.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Oversees the caseload distribution discussions, including final decision regarding assignment of students to the individual ESSCs' caseloads:
• Ensures transfer procedure on all incoming students is complete.
• Conducting classroom observations
• Gathering data on students referred by student study team (SST)
• Facilitating transition of parent relationships to assigned ESSCs from initial evaluation to IEP development in the event that students qualify for special education services
• Coordinates, facilitates, and executes annual IEP meetings for students on their caseload.
• Observes the general education teachers' consistent implementation of student IEPs on their caseload.
• Provides orientation to each service provider to our educational philosophy, school model, campus layout, etc.
• Coordinates with related service providers and school psychologist regarding evaluations, meetings, and services
• Reviews, codes, and signs invoices, then submits them for HM approval
• Follows up with service providers to generate IEP progress reports
• Serves as the academy lead of the ESS team, providing support to team members for the effective completion of individual and shared responsibilities.
• Assists the Phoenix Home Office in training the ESSCs on the pedagogy of special education work within Great Hearts. Partners with the headmaster to communicate the specifics of the ESS Lead and ESSC roles to the community before the start of the year and revisit as necessary
• Attends initial IEP meetings led by ESSCs to guide the relational hand-off from ESS Lead to ESSC and provide feedback to ESSCs on their execution
• Reviews IEPs and Evaluation reports written by the ESSCs for accuracy. (1 file per semester)
• Models and provides guidance to ESSCs on partnering with general education teachers
• Partners with the headmaster to provide written and oral evaluations to the ESSCs
• Updates program information in the school information system (SIS) for students receiving special education as students enter, change eligibility categories or exit.
• Leads the ESS team to complete all EOY responsibilities to prepare for the proper rollover to the next year

Required/Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred

Required/Preferred Experience:

• Minimum 3 years experience as a special education coordinator
• Experience as special education (ESS) coordinator in Great Hearts school preferred
• Experience with special education evaluation process preferred
• Certification: Valid Arizona Special Education Teaching Certificate (AZ Mild to Moderate or K-12 Cross-Categorical)

Required/Preferred Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of special education process, including state and federal timelines and compliance requirements
• Leadership, coaching, and mentoring skill/experience
• High level of emotional intelligence
• Humility and skill with collaboration between multiple teams
• Conflict resolution and mediation
• Strong verbal and written communication skill
• Experience and speed with multiple platforms and computer programs (Student Information Systems, IEP writing programs, MS Office Suite, Google)

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.

US work authorization isrequired, but we do accept OPT/CPT candidates.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.

Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.

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.