Title: Special Education Coordinator

Purpose of Position: To ensure Audubon’s special education department complies with all state and federal guidelines

Employment Status: Full-time Reporting

Reports to: Principal

Location: Audubon Gentilly Campus

Essential Functions:

• Oversee the compliance database/State IEP program for all Special Education students.
• Conduct ongoing review and analysis of State IEP system to determine schools with compliance problems.
• Provide leadership and support for Central Office staff and school staff on compliance issues.
• Develop and provide monthly staff development and materials to facilitators and special education staff to assist in maintaining compliance in the development of IEPs and conducing IEP meetings.
• Schedule and conduct site visits with appropriate administrative and school staff to address compliance issues.
• Develop plans of action to address identified compliance issues
• Develop and implement technical support and training to assist schools in addressing identified and ongoing compliance regulations as outlined in State Performance Plan (SPP) Indicators.
• Assist School Leaders and SPED Staff in completion of reports for self-assessment.
• Conduct training of IEP Facilitators on special education process and IEP development through the use of the State IEP tool.
• Supervise and evaluate IEP Facilitators.
• Supervise and evaluate related service providers.
• Attend legal workshops/conferences, as appropriate, to keep current with legal mandates as outlined in COMAR and IDEA.
• Conduct investigations regarding any legal issues that involve due process hearings, OCR Complaints, and MSDE complaints. Organize and compile the necessary documents for review by CCPS’ attorneys and appropriate investigators.
• Participate in the State IEP workgroups
• Ensure that student progress is evaluated on a systemic basis and that the findings are used to make programming more effective
• Supervise and serve as the lead facilitator for Student Assistance Team committees involving change of placement and initial development of Individualized Educational Plans for special populations

Monitor the effectiveness of programming for special education and provide guidance to the Site Administrators and staff on necessary programmatic changes and expectations to ensure increased student achievement for special education.

• Create tools to measure and monitor the effectiveness of programs implemented to support special education
• Coordinate discipline procedures for special education with Site Administration
• Obtain and use evaluative findings (including student achievement data) to gauge special education program effectiveness
• Ensure that all IEP/IAP plans meet all federal, state, local and network requirements including service minutes, curriculum supports and accommodations

Supervise and lead a team of Site Administrators and instructional/certified staff to support effective implementation of programming for special education.

• Provide guidance and manage the referral process for special populations including universal screenings, referral, intervention/support, evaluation, IEP/IAP creation, plan implementation and necessary follow-up/support
• Supervise all Contracted Special Education providers
• Work with staff to build transition plans for special education
• Work with Site Administration to evaluate the job performance of staff to ensure effective delivery of services

In partnership with instructional leaders, design and lead effective professional development in support of special education. Ensure alignment with network beliefs for professional learning, city/state/local guidelines and requirements for special populations.

• Encourage and support the development of innovative instructional programs, helping teachers to pilot such efforts when appropriate
• Develop training options and/or improvement plans to ensure exemplary operations in special education

Craft a strategy to build relationships to be leveraged in the support of special education.

• Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with Senior Administration, parents, students and staff concerning vital issues
• Work with School Counselor, Community Agencies and other Education Providers (i.e. Contracted Special Education Services) to provide services to students and notify parents and students of available services
• Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement

Oversee state and district reporting and compliance for special education, including preparation and submission of all reports and data for federal, state and district monitoring in regard to special education.

• Compile, maintain and file all physical and computerized reports, records and other documents as required for compliance of special education

Liaise with the Louisiana Department of Education, Orleans Parish School Board and other local, state and federal agencies as the organization’s representative for special education.

• Participate in professional organizations and other organizations aimed at supporting special education
• Articulate Audubon’s mission and goals in the area of special education to the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission

Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

Inside work with no exposure to weather conditions. Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone; seeing to read a variety of documents; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate office equipment; sitting for extended periods of time; bending, kneeling or stooping, reaching overhead to store or retrieve materials, and walking.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

This position requires an organized and empathetic leader who is able to provide strategic leadership, supervision, guidance and support for a variety of stakeholders across all special populations. Applicants must demonstrate:

• Interest in providing only the highest quality educational, social and emotional experiences for all students and their families
• Ability to build strong relationships with multiple stakeholders and view complex issues from multiple perspectives
• Knowledge of legal issues and requirements related to all areas of SPED, ELL, G/T and RTI
• Demonstrated skills in facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution
• Demonstrated skills in data gathering and analysis, project planning and evaluation
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively with all people, including those from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality related to student information and personnel matters
• Knowledge of curriculum, instructional strategies, IEP/IAP creation, all federal, state and local legislation related to special populations
• Ability to perform in high stress environment and meet assigned deadlines
• Team player: maturity, humility, grit, flexible, follow-through, sense of humor, open to feedback and a “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude.

Education, Training and Experience:

REQUIRED

• Master’s degree in education, school psychology or related area
• 5 years as a Special Education teacher or related experience
• Certification or ability to gain certification as an Educational Diagnostician, Parish/City Supervisor of Special Education or School Psychology
• Experience leading and managing adults
• Experience in and/or understanding of the public school system including charter schools is desirable

PREFERRED

• Master’s degree 30 or doctorate degree in education, school psychology or related area
• 5 years in a SPED supervisory role
• National Certification as an Educational Diagnostician or Clinical Psychologist
• Certification as a School Principal or Educational Leader

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• New Orleans, LA: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person