Position Overview:

The Diverse Learner Program Specialist plays a critical role in empowering teachers of diverse learners and site administrators to ensure that all Summit Public Schools are providing exceptional services to students with IEPs and their families. 

The Diverse Learner Program Specialist provides regional expertise, coaching, and modeling to develop highly effective classroom teachers, confident and compliant case-managers, and powerful influences in the lives of some of Summit Public Schools’ most neurodiverse and historically marginalized students. 

The ideal candidate is an experienced special education administrator. The ideal candidate takes initiative, possesses excellent communication skills, thrives in a collaborative environment, has expertise in SEIS (CA) or IEP Online (WA), knowledgeable in federal special education law and State guidelines, at least two years experience as a special education administrator, and has a passion for facilitating personal and professional development experiences.

Who We Are:

Whatifallstudentsgraduatedhighschoolwiththe knowledge, skills and habits they need to lead a fulfilled life?  This is the question that guides our mission at Summit Public Schools. 

Summit is a leading network of public schools that collectively prepare a diverse community of young people with the skills, knowledge, and habits to attain economic empowerment and success in a chosen concrete next step toward a fulfilled life. We operate 14 schools serving over 4,500 students in the Bay Area and Washington state. 100% of Summit graduates are college ready and Summit graduates complete college at double the national average.

We need exceptional, diverse, and mission-aligned teachers to join our team to help prepare our students for a fulfilled life. Join us!

What You’ll Do:

Collaboration & Training

• Plan programs, provide resources and technical assistance for, and assess the effectiveness of the diverse learner program at assigned schools
• Provide leadership, observe, consult with, and assist school site teams in developing, planning, implementing, organizing and instructing students with diverse learning needs
• Assist site level administrators in recruiting, hiring, supporting, training, and coaching teachers of diverse learners
• Serve as a knowledgeable professional in the Individual Education Program (IEP) planning process.
• Ensure the use of best practices in the implementation of pre-referral and positive behavioral and academic interventions as outlined in the IEP by collaborating with school psychologists, other specialists or site faculty including providing professional development as needed
• Leverage individual and cultural diversity, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of working with multilingual students
• Participate in IEP team meetings as needed to ensure effective collaboration and meet IEP meeting requirements (may serve as LEA representative)
• Collaborate with Directors of Diverse Learners to develop and coordinate the delivery, and effectiveness of relevant professional development activities for both diverse learner and general education teachers
• Provides support for data driven decision-making and accountability to improve the instructional program and assure student progress

Case Management & Programming

• Assume responsibility for appropriate identification, educational programming and services for students with diverse learning needs
• Ensure due process requirements are met to complete the appropriate development of IEPs and provide ongoing monitoring to ensure IDEA compliance under the direction and guidance of the Director and SELPA
• Coordinate and develop plans for incoming and exiting students including interim placements, 30-day IEPs, transition IEPs, and IEP file reviews and transfers
• Plan program, coordinate curricular resources, and evaluate effectiveness of programs for students with diverse learning needs
• Manage non-public school or residential treatment center placements and complex cases to assure appropriate services, facilitate conflict resolution to resolve disputes related to student’s IEPs, demonstrating knowledge of current IDEA and Summit design, policy and procedures
• Develop, implement, and revise behavior programs for identified students in accordance with best practice methodologies and procedures; provides ongoing monitoring of behavior programs, including individuals and group instruction.

Data Management & Values-Based Compliance

• Research and leverage deep knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and policies that impact diverse learners
• Develop data collection systems, monitor data collection and provide programmatic recommendations based upon results.
• Oversee referral for special education including responding to caregiver requests in accordance with legal requirements.
• Advise and consult with site level administration in determining appropriate offers of FAPE and 504 plans.

Other duties as assigned to ensure overall diverse learner program effectiveness

What You Need:

Key Qualities and Skills 

• Commitment to uphold Summit’s values, belief that all children deserve a rigorous and equitable education that prepares them for college and for life.
• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Master’s Degree in Special Education or in a related field is required.
• A Teaching Credential in California or another US state is required in one of the following: Education Specialist credential in Special Education; Speech and Language; or Pupil Personnel Services credential in School Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work.
• 5 years teaching experience is required. 
• Experience creating Individual Education Programs (IEPs), along with the ability to evaluate an IEP for legal compliance, is required.
• Proficiency in Google Platforms, including Google Drive, Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Google Slides. 
• Clear health and background check.

Who You Are:

About You

• You maintain highexpectations for all students and believe all students can find success in school, college, and life.
• You thrivewhilecollaborating and are excited to work with your colleagues. You find positivity in share successes.
• You’re deeply dedicatedtosocialjustice and feel motivated by the challenge and impact of working in a heterogeneous community and closing the opportunity gap.
• You are empatheticandculturallycompetent. You’re open to discussing the impact of and interrupting white supremacy culture at the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and systems level
• You share our vision to reimagine what schools should be and are excited to make an impact on the public education landscape.
• You are positive and resilient in the face of big challenges.
• You possess strong people management skills, with the ability to motivate, inspire, develop, and collaborate with a diverse group of teachers, leaders, staff members, and community members.
• You have an ability to apply honest, actionable, and timely feedback that results in improved performance.
• You thrive in innovative environments and are comfortable with the ambiguity that can come with a dynamic and progressive workplace.
• You’re committedtocontinuousimprovement, see feedback as a positive, and have a growth mindset.

What You Get:

In addition to joining a highly motivated team and engaging in meaningful work, you’ll have access to a comprehensive suite of benefits including a retirement plan, unlimited “take what you need” PTO policy, 11 paid holidays, and 3 weeks of organization-wide closures during the year. You and your dependents will have access to multiple health, dental, and vision plans at 25% cost (we cover the other 75%) and employee life and disability insurance at no cost. Our compensation policy strives to be equitable and transparent. The salary for this position starts at $94,208 and goes up to $123,971 commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

Summit is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are directly intertwined with education. We are ALL better when we are able to bring our whole selves to work and honor each other’s voices across identities, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals who are members of historically marginalized communities. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. 

To see Summit Public Schools' full non-discrimination statement as it relates to students and parents along with designated compliance coordinators for each school, see HERE for Washington and HERE for California. To see Summit Public Schools' full non-discrimination statement as it relates to employees, see here for Washington and here for California.