JOB SUMMARY

The Education Specialist Extensive Support Needs instructs students with Individualized Education Plans in an inclusive environment.

This role works directly within a school site and collaborates regularly with Special Education staff and may work with outside consultants and district personnel as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Administer academic assessments, write the academic assessment report and present at IEP meetings

Consult and communicate with faculty and parents via meetings, phone, and email regarding the needs and progress of students

Maintain knowledge of current regulations pertaining to special education

Collaborate with faculty to ensure that students modifications and accommodations are being appropriately implemented in the general education classroom

Assist with the development of the master schedule to plan for all student IEP needs

Meet the minimum IDEA requirements related to case management

Maintain a high level or rigor for students with disabilities in order to ensure equitable access to common core and / or alternate curriculum standards

Regularly collaborates with team members for the purposes of : reviewing student data, ensuring IEP implementation, co-planning and / or co-teaching

Develop, provide and oversee alternate curriculum and testing for eligible students

Implement health and mobility supports (. provide 1 : 1 support to student in classroom, support student / s with toileting needs, assist with health-related needs (g-tube, feeding, administration of medication) (under supervision of school nurse) and assist with the physical needs of students (lifting / assisting with mobility, implementing student stretching / exercise

Oversee, teach and implement a student’s behavior intervention plan, including gathering and analyzing relevant data on a regular basis, and collaborating with staff members around student plan and progress

Input weekly IEP service tracking and meet all IEP timelines

Create and maintain notifications, records, files, and reports as required by federal, state, and SELPA regulations

Coordinate the development and implementation of a student’s Individualized Transition Program, especially students in the 16-22 program

Be able to effectively run a program for students with extensive needs with specially designed instruction to meet their IEP goals, and support students’ progress within the general education class with appropriately modified / accommodated work

Collaborate with related service providers to ensure the proper implementation of AAC / functional communication, behavior intervention plans, physical / mobility needs, etc.

Utilizes Aspire’s Alternate Curriculum guidelines to inform student programming

Daily oversight of paraprofessional support, including the staff schedule and implementation of IEP services

Develop a thorough progress monitoring tool for students, that is regularly shared with staff and parents and used for team decision-making

Communicate on a frequent basis with parents of students around student progress, and collaborate to gain parent input

Collaborate with outside providers as needed and appropriate, with parent consent

Perform other related duties as required and assigned

Additional :

Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

Knowledge of special education principles, concepts, methodologies, and documentation requirements

Knowledge of special education assessment, planning, instruction, and evaluation

Knowledge of child cognitive development and different learning styles

Ability and willingness to implement students’ IEPs

Belief in inclusion and Aspire’s Equity Belief Statements and demonstrates high expectations for students with diverse learning needs

Ability and willingness to reflect and improve

Ability to follow and meet mandated deadlines and due dates

Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions; ability and good judgment to take initiative to modify activities

Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate with general education and special education colleagues, parents and community

Ability to excel as a member of a team and implement new learnings from professional development

Ability to work with an ethnically and economically diverse student body

Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

CA Special Education Teaching Credential (Moderate-Severe Education Specialist, Education Specialist-Extensive Needs) required

Bridge Authorizations for Moderate-Severe credentials received prior to June of 2022

Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred

Competencies :

Expertise in applicable grade-level Common Core State Standards and Academic IEP goal development

Knowledge around the models of co-teaching and serving students with disabilities in an inclusive model

Alignment to and urgency around Aspire’s mission, vision and values

Minimum educational level :

Bachelor’s Degree required in a related field.

Experience required :

2 years working with students with special needs in an educational setting preferred

Physical requirements :

Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Communicating with others to exchange information.

Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and / or fingers.

Work authorization requirements :

Clear the Department of Justice background screening.

Authorized to work in the United States.

Provide health (TB) clearance (renewed every four years).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics are representative of those in a normal office, classroom / school setting which one might encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPENSATION

Aspire offers its employees a competitive salary and benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage, life insurance / long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program.

Salary Range : $68,591- $130,642 based on years of experience for this role.

• Bonuses are offered until December 13, 2024 and are paid out in two installments of $3,000. One payment after 30 days of employment and one payment after 6 months of employment.

Last updated : 2024-06-22