What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Education Coordinator position at Ralston School District 54?
Special Education Coordinator Job Description
The Special Education Coordinator assists in the design, development, and delivery of special education programs and services for students with disabilities from Pre-K through age 21. This role involves collaboration with administrators, educators, parents, and the community to implement effective programs that meet the diverse needs of our student population.
Key Responsibilities:
- Program Support and Oversight:
- Collaborates with Director of Student Services, school administrators, and staff to provide leadership and support for special education programs, alternative education programs, and EL Programs across designated schools and levels.
- Acts as a liaison between the Director of Student Services, Director of Teaching and Learning, special education teachers, and building principals to implement evidence-based birth to three and early childhood practices through district 3-year-old and 4-year-old preschool programs.
- Collaborates with the Director of Student Services to ensure program and level transition processes, transportation, extended school year/continuous year services, and Child Find for students with disabilities at identified buildings/levels/special education programs.
- Assists in the coordination and implementation of Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) procedures, ensuring appropriate programs and placements for students with disabilities.
- Facilitate challenging MDT or IEP meetings to support school teams and families.
- Reviews special education documentation to ensure compliance with district policies, as well as state and federal regulations.
- Supports 504 coordination across the district.
- Instructional Support:
- Supports the identification and implementation of evidence-based instructional interventions, service delivery models, specialized materials, and other supports to help students with disabilities progress in the general curriculum and meet academic standards.
- Supports a continuum of service delivery options in the least restrictive environment, including the provision of related services as appropriate.
- Assessment:
- Supports Director of Student Services, Teaching and Learning, building administrators, and special education teachers, with ensuring that students with disabilities participate in state and district assessments as required, receive appropriate accommodations, and that state and district guidelines are followed.
- Transition and Support Services:
- Oversees program and level transition processes, transportation arrangements, extended school year services, and Child Find activities for students with disabilities.
- Communicates effectively with parents and staff regarding evaluation, programming, placement, services, and rights of students with disabilities.
- Serves as case manager for level 3 placements.
- Professional Development and Staff Support:
- Collaborates with Director of Student Services, Teaching and Learning, and building and district administrators to provide professional development for special education staff, including both certificated and classified personnel.
- Supports teachers new to the program to become familiar with program components and district practices and procedures, including issues of compliance.
- Assists in planning and presenting program staff development, parent meetings, and other meetings as necessary.
- Other
- Assists with other management tasks as requested or assigned, including procedural and compliance training, etc.
- Participates in and assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development/refinement of leadership skills.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Master’s degree with a major in special education or special education endorsement from an accredited institution
- Valid Nebraska Administrative Certificate.
- Successfully demonstrated leadership abilities in school administration and sensitivity to the needs and objectives of the district.
Preferred:
- Experience and leadership in special education administration.
