Scholar Services Coordinator - REMOTE

Scholar Services Coordinator Executive Summary

In conjunction with the CEO, the Scholar Services Coordinator is responsible for overseeing and leading the school’s specialized scholar supports and administrative compliance. Serving as a key member of the administrative team, this role ensures that scholar support structures — including Special Education, 504 plans, and MTSS — are executed with fidelity and legal rigor. This position also manages school-wide discipline, attendance, and legalities, and serves as a primary point of contact for school-wide inquiries and front-desk support.

Essential Functions

• Special Education Leadership: Serve as the Local Education Agency (LEA) representative at all Special Education/IEP meetings, ensuring all regulatory requirements are met, and scholar needs are prioritized.
• 504 Plan Management: Lead the development, identification, and annual review of all 504 plans; ensure instructional staff are updated on specific plan requirements and accommodations every quarter.
• Discipline Oversight: Take charge of school-wide discipline procedures and interventions, maintaining high standards of scholar conduct while utilizing trauma-informed strategies to support scholar growth.
• Supervision: Guide and provide direction to the Youth Engagement Specialist(s) in terms of mentoring and goal setting.
• Attendance Compliance: Directly oversee the work of the Scholar Attendance Clerk; manage the formal process for chronic absenteeism, including the submission of official notification letters to parents and the county attorney.
• MTSS Coordination: Accountability with the Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) team to facilitate support processes; meticulously record action steps and hold staff accountable for the work required to support scholar success.
• Public Relations: Manage incoming questions and inquiries at parent meetings and through communication, providing accurate information and professional guidance to parents, scholars, and community members.
• Administrative Leadership: Meet weekly with the CEO to align on school initiatives and ensure all scholar services support the mission and vision of the Choice Charter School strategic plan.
• Accountability Tracking: Maintain a rigorous system for recording scholar support action steps, ensuring that interventions are executed effectively by the designated team members.
• Implement and carry out district policies.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the CEO or designee, necessary and appropriate to achieve the program and/or School goals and Objectives.

Essential Competencies

In alignment with the Iowa Department of Education standards:

• Mission & Vision Advocacy: Develop, advocate, and enact a shared mission and vision specifically for scholar support services that promote the academic success and well-being of every scholar.
• Ethical Leadership: Act ethically and according to professional norms to ensure all Special Education and 504 compliance measures are handled with integrity.
• Equity & Responsive Practice: Strive for equity of educational opportunity and culturally responsive MTSS practices to support scholars from diverse backgrounds and needs.
• Rigorous Support Systems: Develop and support coherent systems of intervention and assessment (MTSS) that promote academic success and emotional well-being.
• Inclusive Community Building: Cultivate a caring and supportive school community through trauma-informed discipline and inclusive 504/IEP planning.
• Professional Capacity: Be proactive in developing the capacity of school personnel by providing quarterly updates on scholar plans and holding staff accountable for intervention work.
• Meaningful Engagement: Engage families and the community (including the county attorney) in reciprocal ways to support scholar attendance and success.
• Continuous Improvement: Act as an agent of continuous improvement by recording action steps and tracking data to refine the effectiveness of scholar support programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Education and Licensure

• Master’s Degree in School Administration, Special Education, or related field required
• Special Education Director Endorsement (preferred)
• Iowa Evaluator Certification (preferred)

Required Skills and Abilities

• Accountability: Proven ability to manage complex projects and hold team members accountable for scholar-centered work and MTSS action steps.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of Special Education law (IDEA), Section 504 requirements, and state attendance mandates.
• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills for front-facing communication and the ability to draft formal legal correspondence for attendance issues.
• Organizational Systems: Proficiency in maintaining records and data systems to track quarterly and annual compliance cycles.
• Conflict Resolution: Ability to manage scholar discipline and parental concerns with a balanced approach of firmness and empathy.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Inter-Agency Collaboration: Experience working directly with County Attorneys, DHS, or local mental health agencies to support scholar attendance and welfare.
• Charter School Experience: Familiarity with the unique operational and compliance landscape of Iowa Charter Schools.
• Data Proficiency: Experience using scholar information systems (SIS) to generate attendance reports and track MTSS intervention data.
• Trauma-Informed Certification: Advanced training or certification in trauma-informed care or Restorative Justice practices.
• Bilingualism: Proficiency in a second language commonly spoken within the school community to enhance front-desk and parent communication.

Benefits & Evaluation

BENEFITS: Benefits are outlined in the CCS Staff Handbook. Please review and/or contact the HR Specialist for additional information.

EVALUATION: The performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with federal and state law, board policy, and the preceding job description.

Reference: Iowa Association of School Boards