Specialized Programs Specialist - LIFE 18-22 - Specialist IV - Multiple Positions

Appoquinimink School District; Town of Middletown (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Appoquinimink School District seeks a Specialized Programs Specialist to support vocational, employment, and independent living skills within its special education program. The role collaborates with the Special Education Teacher to implement supports and instruction aligned with students' IEPs and district policies to ensure effective program operation.

The position emphasizes work-based learning coordination, record maintenance, and strong collaboration with families, school staff, and

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and be eligible for a Delaware permit.
• Solid understanding of IDEA and IEP implementation.
• Strong organizational, communication, and computer skills.
• Experience with assistive technology preferred.
• Driver's license and ability to transport or escort students as needed.

Responsibilities

• Support vocational training experiences, work-based learning opportunities, and community employment placements.
• Implement instructional strategies aligned with state and district curriculum.
• Maintain records and documentation per Delaware statutes and IEP requirements.
• Collaborate with IEP team members, parents/guardians, administrators, and staff to support student progress.
• Differentiate instruction to meet individual learning needs.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Special Education or related field

Delaware Student Support Personnel Permit

Tools

Assistive technology

Job description

Specialized Programs Specialist - LIFE 18-22 - Specialist IV- Multiple Positions

Position Overview

The Special Programs Specialist supports the development of students' vocational, employment, and independent living skills, including access to appropriate work-based learning and community placements. The Specialist collaborates with the Special Education Teacher to implement supports and instruction aligned with students' IEPs, promote access to learning, and improve student outcomes. The Special Programs Specialist also supports compliance with applicable state rules and regulations and district policies to ensure the effective operation of the educational program.

SALARY RANGE

The salary range for this role can be found in the provided link: Salary Scales

TRAINING

Appoquinimink School District may require you to be trained in Safety-Care or a similar competency-based crisis prevention intervention training program as a condition of your continued employment.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Support vocational training experiences, work-based learning opportunities, and community employment placements.
• Implement instructional strategies that align with state and district curriculum.
• Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and an environment which promotes student learning.
• Provide educational opportunities and instruction for each student, according to his/her IEP in collaboration with the Special Education Teacher.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation as required by Delaware statutes, federal regulations, district policy, and IEP requirements
• Establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with students, families, school personnel, and community partners.
• Facilitate communication using verbal and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems in collaboration with the Speech-Language Pathologist.
• Collaborate with IEP team members, including parents/guardians/administrators/staff, to ensure students receive appropriate support and make meaningful progress.
• Differentiate and modify instruction to meet students' individualized learning needs.
• Participate as an active member of the IEP team and provide input to support the development and implementation of IEP goals.
• Engage in ongoing monitoring of student progress through structured data collection.
• Implement effective behavior management strategies that promote student engagement, independence, and safety.
• Implement School Board and school based policies and procedures in order to uphold school regulations.
• Collaborate with school personnel, related service providers, community agencies, and employers to support student success
• Effectively integrate instructional and assistive technology into daily instruction
• Engage in ongoing professional learning to strengthen professional knowledge and skills
• Participate in district and school-level committees and professional learning activities
• Communicate student and program-related information effectively in oral and written form
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Assistant Principal and/or Supervisor of Special Education Services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be eligible for State of Delaware Student Support Personnel Permit #1527
• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, preferably in Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of best practices in special education, including understanding of transition services and school to adult life transition planning.
• Thorough knowledge of IDEA and IEP implementation.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and computer skills.
• Experience with assistive technology preferred.
• Possess a valid driver's license and demonstrate the ability to independently transport or escort students via district vehicles or public transit for community-based learning.

Minimum Qualifications For International Applicants

• Preferred: Transcripts to be translated prior to submission of job application. Please submit translation with job application submission items
• REQUIRED: When completing and submitting application, make sure you have answered all questions regarding international applicants
• REQUIRED: Review information as listed on State of Delaware's Department of Education DEEDS website regarding Non-U.S. Application Certification, see link below https://www.doe.k12.de.us/Page/3505#:~:text=DEEDS%20Online%20Application%20for%20Non%2DU.S.%20Applicants&text=All%20new%20applicants%20need%20to,which%20the%20applicant%20is%20applying
• Please Note: Not all universities will accept all Department of Education-approved transcript evaluation vendors. Therefore, please be sure to reach out to our Human Resources Department prior to securing a vendor for this task. We will help to make sure you are using the correct vendor needed.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly talking, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. The employee must possess normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall and apply certain practices and policies. Frequently sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The work of this class is generally performed in a school environment. Work may require the ability to move around the school and classroom.

Pre-employment Requirements

• All persons employed by the Appoquinimink School District are required to submit a criminal background check and a tuberculosis test.
• Anyone offered employment is required to provide the following: proper identification (Social Security Card and Driver's License), documentation of eligibility for employment in the U.S.A., completion of I-9 form, and completion of paperwork for the Delaware Child Protection Registry.

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS DISCLOSURE

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Appoquinimink School District is required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship. Qualified employees must have the requisite skills, experience, education, and licenses for the job, and must also be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations.

NONDISCRIMINATION DISCLOSURE

The Appoquinimink School District is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its educational programs, services, and activities for all students and employees. The Appoquinimink School District does not discriminate or retaliate in the hiring, training, assignment, promotion/transfer of employees on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, domicile, marital status, handicap, or any other characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

EVALUATION

Job performance will be evaluated by the Building Principal in accordance with established provisions.