Special Needs Coordinator

The School District of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The School District of Philadelphia is seeking a Special Needs Coordinator for Head Start and Comprehensive Day Care programs. You will plan and develop treatment programs for preschoolers with various handicaps, working with psychologists to create individualized plans and oversee staff and children in the centers.

You will collaborate with families and professionals, conduct staff training, maintain confidential records, and ensure effective implementation of plans while supporting ongoing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, special education or related field.
• Three years of full-time experience planning and developing treatment programs for children.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop and coordinate screening for handicapped conditions and treatment of confirmed cases.
• Develop individualized education plans for children with special needs.
• Assist in selecting curriculum materials and equipment for staff and children with handicaps.
• Observe centers and support implementation of education plans for handicapped children.
• Collaborate with parents to ensure continuity of care beyond the center.
• Demonstrate treatment techniques to teachers and parents; train staff in related procedures.
• Plan in-service training for instructional staff, teachers and parents.
• Foster communication among parents, teachers, social workers and diagnosticians.
• Maintain confidential files and records of training sessions.

Skills

Child development

Collaborative work

Communication (oral & written)

Special education experience

Assessment & planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field

Job description

Title: Special Needs Coordinator

Department: Comprehensive Day Care/ Pre-K Head Start

Reports To: PreK Education Field Administrator

This is a full-time 10-month, PFT represented position. The salary grade is (Teacher Scale) which starts at $55,771 for new PFT members.

Job Summary

Plans and develops treatment programs for children with various psychological, physical and learning handicaps enrolled in the Prekindergarten Head start or Comprehensive Day Care programs. Works with psychologists, and other diagnostics, develops individual treatment plans for those children with suspected or confirmed special needs. Oversees staff and children in the Prekindergarten Head Start or Comprehensive Day Care programs to identify special needs children and assess the effectiveness of individual plans currently being implemented.

Essential Functions

• Plans, develops and coordinates a program involving the screening and referral of children for the detection of handicapped conditions and the treatment of confirmed cases.
• Participates in the development of individualized education plans for those children found to have special needs
• Assist in the selection of curriculum materials for staff who teach children with handicapped conditions; identifies and makes recommendations regarding the purchase of appropriate equipment and supplies.
• Visits centers to observe the teaching staff and handicapped children; works with staff in the implementation of individual education plans for children with handicaps.
• Works extensively with parents of special needs children to ensure continuity of care beyond the center setting.
• Explains and demonstrates treatment techniques and procedures to teachers and their assistants; explains and demonstrates classroom and home treatment procedures to parents.
• Plans and conducts in-service training and staff development sessions for instructional coordinators, teachers, parents and other staff regarding the detection, definition, evaluation and treatment of handicapped conditions among preschool children.
• Fosters communication and cooperation among parents, teachers, social workers and diagnosticians.
• Maintains confidential files for each child which includes test results and individualized education plans.
• Maintains records of training sessions with teachers, parents, and other center staff.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in psychology, special education or a related field.
• Three years of full-time, paid experience in a setting which has involved planning and developing treatment programs for children.

Certificates/Licenses

• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Supervisor of Elementary Education certificate.

OR

• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative certificate for Elementary School Principal.

The candidate must ensure that all of their relevant work experience is reflected on their resume prior to the submission of their application for District employment.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• child growth and development.
• psychological and physical handicaps and how they affect the learning process.
• diagnostic instruments, measures and tests used to detect handicapping conditions in children.
• the available resources in the diagnosis and treatment of handicapped conditions.
• the current materials and equipment available for use in instructing children with handicapped conditions.

Demonstrated Ability To

• make initial assessments of children with special needs.
• participate with other professionals in the development of individualized plans based on observations and test results.
• train others in the principles and techniques of the treatment of psychological and physical disabilities with the educational process.
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain working relationships.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.

Primary Location

Head Start Partnership Support (9391)

Job

Central Office

Schedule

Regular

Employee Status

Non-Management

Job Posting

Aug 10, 2026, 9:59:45 AM

Union Affiliation

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)

Unposting Date

Aug 31, 2026, 10:59:00 PM