Program Coordinator for Early Childhood Special Education

WESTSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
909 South 76th Street
Omaha, NE 68114

Position Available for 2025-2026 School Year

Program Coordinator for Early Childhood Special Education

REPORTS TO: Director of Special Services

LOCATION: Underwood Hills - 9030 Western Ave., Omaha NE 68114

JOB SUMMARY:

Provide leadership and supervision in administering the educational program of the Early Childhood Special Education Program for Westside Community Schools in order to promote the educational development and achievement of students in accordance with Board of Education policies, administrative procedures, rules and regulations, and applicable law

EDUCATION LEVEL AND CERTIFICATION:

• Masters degree required
• Must possess a Nebraska Administrative and Supervisory Certificate at all times during employment with such endorsements as required by NDE Rule 10.
• Have a minimum of 5 years of successful classroom teaching experience.
• Possess evidence of other adequate preparation, background, or experience as determined by the superintendent.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Policy, Procedure, & Compliance
• • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of, and ensure adherence to, federal, state, and local policies and regulations impacting the provision of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for young children with disabilities.
  • Support early childhood staff in timely and accurate completion of all IFSP/IEP and MDT paperwork, ensuring compliance with early childhood special education requirements (Rule 11, Rule 51 and Rule 52).
  • Lead and model best practices in early childhood special education, including developmentally appropriate, culturally, and linguistically responsive approaches.
  • Edit and update the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) handbook annually to reflect current policies, procedures, and best practices.

• Logistics & Leadership
• • Evaluate and support early childhood special education staff, including teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers, using observation and feedback tailored to early learning environments.
  • Remain accessible and responsive to concerns from families, staff, and community partners regarding young children with disabilities.
  • Serve as an active member of district leadership teams, Buffett, and ECC Pyramid Leadership teams, contributing early childhood expertise to district initiatives and supporting the implementation of early learning goals.
  • Facilitate or participate in regular early childhood special education team meetings and professional learning communities (PLCs).
  • Conduct annual summer-specific coordination activities such as:
  • • serving as district representative for IFSPs to ensure children transitioning from Part C to Part B have seamless service delivery
    • coordinating transportation for EDN and 3-5 year old students, adapting to last-minute changes in daycare and family situations.
    • fielding phone calls and inquiries for move-ins for both Part C and Part B students, ensuring prompt responses and service coordination
    • collecting enrollment information for all new early childhood students, ensuring timely placement and start of services.
    • establish equitable class lists and student placements, including the integration of peer models, to support inclusive classrooms.
  • Participate in facilities planning and improvement meetings regarding playground and building renovations, ensuring the ECSE perspective is included in decision-making.

• Delivery of Specialized Instruction & Intervention
• • Possess comprehensive knowledge of early childhood disability categories and the unique developmental needs of young children with disabilities.
  • Knowledge of student-level programming and the ability to support instructional decision making, collaborate and problem-solve for/with teachers.
  • Communicate effectively with special educators, families, and other stakeholders about early childhood disabilities and appropriate supports.
  • Use a data-informed approach and evidence-based practices to ensure high-quality instruction in all classrooms.
  • Serve as IEP case manager for young children in specialized settings or those transitioning into or out of early childhood special education services.

• Assessment & Reporting
  • Ensure knowledge and implementation of state, federal, and local assessment requirements for young children with disabilities, including appropriate use of early childhood assessment tools (e.g., TS GOLD, Pyramid, ECERS, etc).
  • Train and support early childhood staff in assessment practices, communicate with families about assessment processes, and correspond with NDE and district officials regarding platforms, test administration practices, reporting requirements, etc.

• Professional Learning, Mentoring & Development
  • Lead or support professional learning and mentoring for early childhood special education staff, focusing on developmentally appropriate practices, IEP development, and effective family engagement.
  • Provide coaching, modeling, and feedback in early childhood classrooms to support staff growth and program quality.
  • Design, conduct, and facilitate professional development and training sessions for early childhood educators, educational assistants, and administrators on topics relevant to early childhood special education, including planning and leading summer sessions and setting agendas for the upcoming year.

• Parent & Community Engagement
  • Build and sustain reciprocal partnerships with families, ensuring their active participation in IEP meetings and decision-making for their young children.
  • Serve as the district representative in challenging or complex early childhood IFSP/IEP/MDT meetings, ensuring effective communication and satisfaction for families.
  • Collaborate with community agencies and early childhood programs (e.g., Head Start, private preschools, child care centers) to support identification, transition, and service delivery for young children with disabilities.
  • Engage with families and community partners to ensure smooth transitions into and out of early childhood special education services, including kindergarten entry, with ongoing communication during summer months to support enrollment, placement, and transition needs.

• Program Oversight & Continuous Improvement
  • Review, update, and ensure implementation of early childhood curriculum and instructional practices to meet required standards and the individual needs of all preschool children, including those with developmental delays.
  • Develop and direct program assessment and review processes to monitor quality and compliance in early childhood special education.
  • Prepare and submit required reports, grants, and budgets( i.e., Planning Region Team, EC Expansion, etc.) in a timely manner to secure funding for early childhood services.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in accordance with local policy and state/federal requirements.
  Attend and complete training on software platforms (e.g., Therap and CONNECT) and participate in required EDN (Early Development Network) meetings and other state-mandated training to stay current on compliance and program updates.
  

Application Procedure

Westside Community Schools is an EEO Employer