Special Education Coordinator

Position Title: Special Education Coordinator

Reports To: Director of Student Services

Position Purpose

The Special Education Coordinator oversees the implementation, compliance, and quality of special education programs across assigned school sites. This role ensures that every student with exceptionalities receives a high-quality education in full alignment with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA Part B) and the New Mexico Public School Code (NMAC).

Equal parts compliance expert, instructional support coach, and collaborative leader, the Coordinator acts as a trusted partner to school site administrators, ensuring compliant processes, timely evaluations, and seamless delivery of all required services and behavioral supports.

Essential Functions

Collaborative Leadership & Site Trust-Building

• Partner with Site Leaders: Build strong, trust-based relationships with school principals, assistant principals, and administrative teams through regular check-ins, transparent communication, and proactive problem-solving.
• Serve as a Supportive Resource: Act as a helpful guide rather than solely an auditor, supporting site leaders in navigating complex special education cases, parent meetings, and conflict resolution.
• Capacity Building: Provide ongoing coaching, consultation, and professional development to special education staff on compliant practices, procedural safeguards, and inclusive instruction.

IEP Quality & Implementation

• Data-Driven Decision Making & Document Accuracy: Verify that all required IEP components are completed accurately and in full regulatory compliance, ensuring that objective student data and progress monitoring are consistently utilized to drive goal setting, instructional decisions, and service determinations.
• Monitored Delivery: Ensure all Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are implemented as written, including accommodations, modifications, and instructional minutes.
• Ancillary Services Management: Coordinate with site teams and service providers to ensure all required ancillary services (Speech-Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, School Psychology/Counseling, Social Work, etc.) are scheduled, provided, and accurately logged without service gaps.

Child Find & Early Childhood Transitions

• Child Find Compliance: Oversee site-level Child Find processes to ensure children suspected of having a disability are identified, located, and evaluated within required state and federal timelines.
• Part C to Part B Transitions: Manage and streamline the transition process for children aging out of Family Infant Toddler (FIT) programs (Part C) into school district preschool services (Part B) to ensure smooth evaluations and IEP implementation prior to their third birthday.
• Timeline Oversight: Track and enforce strict adherence to 60-day evaluation timelines, re-evaluation schedules, and annual IEP review dates across assigned sites.

Behavior Supports & Discipline Compliance

• FBA & BIP Oversight: Guide school teams through the process of conducting high-quality Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and developing effective, data-driven Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
• Behavior Plan Tracking: Monitor the fidelity of BIP implementation and support site teams in collecting behavioral data to measure progress.

Regulatory Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain strict alignment with IDEA Part B rules, New Mexico Public School Code (NMAC 6.31.2), and district policies.
• Conduct routine audits of student files and electronic IEP software to maintain state reporting accuracy and audit readiness.
• Assist in preparing documentation for state monitoring, dispute resolution, mediations, or due process hearings as needed.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or related field
•  (Master’s degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or School Psychology strongly preferred).
• Licensure:

• Valid New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) Special Education Teaching License (Level 2 or Level 3) OR Related Services / Student Services License. NMPED Educational Administrator License preferred.

• Experience:

• Minimum of 3–5 years of successful special education teaching or related service experience.
• Prior leadership, coordination, or administrative experience in a public or charter school setting in New Mexico is highly desirable.

Core Competencies & Skills

• In-Depth Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of IDEA Part B, NMAC regulations, procedural safeguards, and early childhood transition mandates.
• Relationship & Trust Building: Outstanding interpersonal skills with a proven track record of establishing trust, active listening, and rapport with principals, teachers, and families.
• Behavioral Expertise: Knowledge of applied behavior principles, FBA techniques, and BIP design.
• Organization & Data Tracking: High attention to detail, exceptional time management, and proficiency with student information systems and IEP management software (e.g., EdPlan / SEIS).
• Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution: Ability to facilitate complex, emotionally charged meetings with calm professionalism, empathy, and clarity.

Working Conditions

• Travel: Regular travel between assigned school sites within the district/network.
• Environment: Standard office and school classroom settings.
• Schedule: Full-time, 10 month contract.
• This position will be paid according to the Coordinator Salary Schedule: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13sg3JcRFhp2sRAoXp2PZhr5zir277hZa/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118393117051428739138&rtpof=true&sd=true