What are the responsibilities and job description for the ESE Coordinator position at NorthStar Academies?
Division/Department: Site Wide Instructional
FLSA Status: Exempt
Role: ESE Coordinator
Employment Status: 12 Month Salary
Reports to: Principal
Direct Report: Not Applicable
Job Summary:
The ESE Coordinator is responsible for implementing and ensuring compliance to established policies, procedures and/or regulations, and addressing other duties and processes required to maintain the school’s program of services. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: providing student interventions and modifications to the academic program as needed; managing the schools ESE programs and services including students with IEPs, EPs and 504s; developing related goals, objectives and recommending policies; planning, implementing and working with staff in evaluating the special education programs and services; acting as a liaison with other district staff, serving as a resource of information regarding the ESE programs and services; and ensuring that procedures are appropriate in relation to policies required by state and federal regulatory requirements.
The ESE Coordinator works alongside the instructional team in order to meet the needs of the school and for the school to remain compliant by providing consultative and collaborative expert services in support of the instructional program. The building of relationships are a critical component of this environment, the team works together to identify student needs that may be barriers to success. The coordinator provides training coaching, guidance and assistance to educational staff and agencies regarding best practices in assessment, instructional methodologies and curriculum for special education students with a variety of disabilities.
Essential ESE Coordinator Job Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage student study team to develop interventions to support students academically and socially;
- Case manage all students education plans and all section 504 plans;
- Assist Principal with resolving issues regarding staff / parents / students in exceptional Student Support Service programs;
- Monitor quality of Individual Educational Plans (IEP) and Educational Plans (EP) for all programs;
- Provide consultation for staffing and placement of exceptional students;
- Overseeing the program to ensure that all students receive the appropriate educational service in compliance with the school board county and department of education;
- Communicating regularly with School Board personnel, students and their families regarding IEP goals, accommodations;
- Process and follow up on in-coming calls including those of prospective individuals and / or other community agencies and referrals;
- Coordinate the continual evaluation of the quality of ESE program;
- Prepare all required report and maintain appropriate records;
- Serves as the principal’s designee for all Exceptional Student Education (ESE) staff in accordance with the annual Local Education Agency (LEA) Memo.
- Coordinate and conduct all required ESE Meetings in accordance with the sponsoring district’s approved policies and expectations.
- Maintain and secure all ESE program records as required by the sponsoring district and as determined by the School Principal.
- Coordinate the provision of services per the students learning needs and as identified in the student’s IEP/EP or 504 Plan.
- Progress monitor all ESE students and assist in the identification and implementation of all instructional interventions as needed, to ensure that students are on target to meet their IEP or EP goals.
- Ensure that all student learning plans adhere to the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) guidelines as specified in IDEA regulations and state guidelines.
- Ensure that all initial referrals for ESE services are completed within the required timeline and reporting periods as required by the sponsoring district.
- Collaborate with regular education personnel on the Multi-tiered System of Support - Response to Intervention/Comprehensive Student Services initiatives.
- Provide school leadership team regularly with the following: reports on issues regarding ESE services, progress monitoring data, and compliance data.
- Collaborate with school personnel (e.g., administration, regular education teachers, special education coordinators or teachers etc.) on ESE service models (i.e., monitoring; collaboration or consultation; co-teaching or team teaching; facilitated instruction; resource room; direct instruction.).
- Correct compliance errors identified internally (within the school) and externally, in accordance with federal, state and local laws, rules, policies and procedures.
- Coordinate progress monitoring of ESE students and provide appropriate modifications as needed.
- Communicate effectively and regularly with parents, colleagues and the ESE Director of Specialized Student Services on IDEA, FAPE, LRE, and IEP testing, reporting and compliance successes and challenges at assigned school(s).
- Utilize the district’s approved electronic management system to generate ESE documents and upload all ESE related documents as required by the sponsoring district.
- Participate in district and in-house training programs offered to enhance the individual skills and proficiency related to the job responsibilities.
- Utilize facilitative behaviors consistent with the Facilitated IEP/EP or 504 training provided by the District in order to conduct efficient and productive IEP/EP or 504 meetings, in which all participants feel valued and heard.
- Provide explanations to parent(s) of the Procedural Safeguards as well as the availability of resources within the District to meet the unique needs if the student.
- When developing IEPs or EPs, seek and utilize input from instructional and relevant supporting staff and ensure parents receive draft IEPs for all annual reviews.
- Attend all in-house and district ESE Compliance Meetings or achievement related meetings as scheduled by the sponsoring district or the school site.
- Maintain accurate and current inventory on instructional and curricular resources and materials. Replenish inventory as needed.
- Contribute to a culture of professionalism among team members;
- Coordinating various activities with agencies providing services to students with disabilities;
- Maintaining Accurate records and files, and prepare documents and reports;
- Any other duties assigned by the Principal;
Non Essential Responsibilities
- Attends meetings with agencies, district and staff;
- Participates in workshops;
- Attending conferences;
- Any other duties assigned;
Key Relationships:
- Internal: Core Content Teachers, Students, Achieve Learning Support Staff;
- External: School District, Educational Personnel, Parents;
Key Behavioral Competencies:
- Encourage constructive feedback and a culture that provides opportunities for development. Attracts, assesses, develops, motivates and retains a diverse workforce that drives results;
- Helps others to secure resources and provides guidance in decision making and problem solving;
- Addresses difficult issues; put self on the line to deal with important problems; stands firm when necessary;
- Analyze reasons behind results, takes action to address failures and seeks to improve outcomes;
- Willingly cooperates and works collaboratively towards solutions which generally benefit all involved parties; works cooperatively with others to accomplish company objectives; promotes collaboration and partnerships;
- Gives credit and recognition to others who have contributed towards team or group goals; respects different opinions, seeking them out to challenge thinking and enhance collaborative efforts;
- Works collaboratively to creatively problem solve with staff to meet students’ unique needs in a technology- based instructional learning environment;
- Maintains accurate records across multiple sites;
- Plans and organizes for a schedule that requires flexibility and structure to serve students at multiple sites Establishes appropriate and supportive relationships with students, parents and staff.
Skills and Knowledge:
- Demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment toward the position and the mission of Achieve Learning; support the company’s values in the strategic areas of academic excellence, operational performance and superior culture;
- Demonstrate the ability to teach ESE students;
- Knowledge of math and / or reading strategies and intervention tools;
- Possesses strong time management and organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively;
- Displays excellent interpersonal skills and display such to all stakeholders;
- Knowledge and experience using technology for communication, data analysis, gathering and organizing information for presentations;
- Maintain confidentiality;
- Demonstrate knowledge of core curriculum and state standards, resources and materials available for use with special education;
- Knowledge of curriculum adaptation methodology;
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, regulations and guidelines governing special education;
- Evidence of ongoing professional learning and reflective practice to continuously improve personal development;
- In-depth knowledge of interventions, curriculum and methodologies identified as BEST practices utilized in teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder;
- Establish and maintain corporative and effective working relationships;
- A working knowledge of current research and resources in instruction;
Qualifications:
Required
- Bachelors of Arts or Science Degree in Special Education, or in related field;
- Valid Florida Professional Special Education Teacher certification;
- Willing to acquire Reading Certification and add to state certification;
- Minimum three to five (3-5) years of Special Education teaching experience;
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook;
- Demonstration of mastery in specified area/s of the curriculum required;
- Demonstration of teaching techniques and classroom management skills (i.e., effective instructional strategies, articulate communication of information, positive interactions with students, and overall organization of learning environment), as seen during a classroom observation by a partnership principal required;
Preferred
- Evidence of working knowledge and comfort level with instructional technology;
- Background and experience in identification and instruction of students with disabilities;
- Experience working with at-risk student population;
- Evidence of educational experiences after college (fellowships, summer study, or graduate course work to pursue greater depth in a subject area, specific instructional methodology, curriculum development, special education, technology, etc.);
- Experience in policy (IDEA) and / or administration with special Education
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described below are representative of those that should be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties / functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be allowed in order that individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties / functions of this job.
- Sitting and standing for extending periods of time;
- Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling up to 35 pounds;
- Ability to kneel, crouch bend and reach to retrieve and handle technology materials, supplies and equipment;
- Moving fingers and hand in a repetitive manner;
- Ability to speak clearly and distinctly when communicating;
- The ability to hear clearly;
- Adequate vision to perform duties;
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of Achieve Learning and NorthStar Academies to provide educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, alienage and citizen status, age, marital status, disability, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as provided by law), sexual orientation, gender (sex), and to maintain an environment free of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment, or retaliation as required by civil rights law.