Special Education Team Leader / 504 Coordinator

Amherst-Pelham Regional School District; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Amherst-Pelham Regional School District Amherst Regional High School in Amherst, Massachusetts is seeking a full-time Special Education Team Leader (ETL) / 504 Coordinator to support IEPs and 504 plans at the high school level. The role emphasizes coordination, leadership, and strong family engagement to ensure compliant and effective services.

The ETL/504 Coordinator will chair meetings, develop IEPs and 504 plans, coordinate evaluations, and work with families and staff to ensure timely,

Qualifications

• Experience developing, implementing, and reviewing IEPs and Section 504 Plans.
• Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse student and family populations.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Experience with secondary-level students preferred.
• Ability to collaborate with students, families, educators, administrators and other professionals.
• Knowledge of the special education evaluation process, parent and student rights, and current laws.

Responsibilities

• Lead IEP meetings with parents/guardians, teachers, service providers and other professionals to develop or review IEPs.
• Help determine student needs, goals, accommodations, services and placement, and ensure proper IEP implementation.
• Coordinate evaluations, eligibility determinations, annual reviews and reevaluations, and required documentation.
• Communicate with families to explain processes, rights and engage them in decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with Massachusetts and federal special education requirements and timelines.
• Collaborate with school staff to resolve program-related concerns and find solutions.

Job description

Amherst-Pelham Regional School District Amherst Regional High School - Amherst, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Special Education Team Leader / 504 Coordinator

Amherst-Pelham Regional School District Amherst Regional High School - Amherst, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5975439

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Oct 28, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

The Amherst Regional High School District is seeking highly qualified candidates for a full-time Special Education Team Leader (ETL) / 504 Coordinator to support the development and implementation of Special Education Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans at the high school level. This position will focus on coordination, compliance, IEP/504 leadership, family engagement & communication in the IEP and 504 process, and collaboration with team members and administration.

Special Education Team Leader (50%)

• Leads IEP meetings: Chairs meetings with parents/guardians, general education teachers, special education teachers, related services providers, and other professionals to develop or review a student's IEP.
• Develops IEPs: Helps determine a student's needs, goals, accommodations, services, and placement, and ensures the IEP is properly written and implemented.
• Manages the special education process: Coordinates evaluations, eligibility determinations, annual reviews, reevaluations, and required documentation.
• Works with families: Communicates with parents/guardians, explains the process and their rights, addresses concerns, and helps families participate meaningfully in decision-making.
• Ensures legal compliance: Makes sure the school follows Massachusetts and federal special education requirements, including procedural safeguards and timelines.
• Acts as a problem-solver: When there are disagreements or concerns about a student's program, the ETL helps bring the appropriate people together and work toward a solution.

504 Team Chair (50%)

• Coordinate the 504 process: Manage referrals, evaluations, eligibility determinations, plan development, annual reviews, and reevaluations.
• Chair 504 meetings: Facilitate meetings with parents/guardians, teachers, counselors, administrators, school nurses, and other relevant staff.
• Determine eligibility: Help the team determine whether a student has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities and therefore qualifies for protection under Section 504.
• Develop the 504 Plan: Coordinate the creation of appropriate accommodations and supports based on the student's individual needs.
• Gather information: Review medical information, evaluations, classroom performance, attendance, disciplinary information, teacher observations, and parent input as appropriate.
• Ensure accommodations are appropriate: Help the team distinguish between accommodations that provide access to education and services that would instead require an IEP under IDEA.
• Communicate with families: Explain the 504 process, eligibility criteria, accommodations, procedural safeguards, and parents' rights.
• Maintain documentation: Ensure that eligibility decisions, meeting notes, plans, notices, and other required records are completed and maintained appropriately.
• Address concerns: Help resolve disagreements or concerns about eligibility, accommodations, or changes to a student's plan.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and reviewing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans.
• Experience working effectively with culturally diverse student and family populations.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Prior experience working with secondary-level students preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, educators, administrators, and other professionals.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the special education evaluation process, parent and student rights, and current special education laws and regulations.
• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education certification in Special Education.

Position Type: Full-time

Job Categories:

Administration > Director/Coordinator/Manager

Special Education > General Special Education

Welcome to Amherst Regional High School

The mission of Amherst Regional High School is to create a dynamic learning community where students and staff work together and where students are supported and challenged to achieve their intellectual, creative, social, and civic endeavors. With parent and community participation, staff and students strive to ensure a safe environment and to promote respect and appreciation for the diversity of individuals, cultures, and learning styles.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Amherst Public, Amherst-Pelham Regional and Pelham Public School Districts prohibits discrimination against employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, genetic information and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment.

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Damany Gordon , Diversity & Equity Specialist
• 170 Chestnut Street
• Amherst, Massachusetts 01002
• Phone: [phone]
• Fax: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]