2022/2023 - Special Education Program Specialist - 1.0FTE

Overview of Position

This is a Certificated Career Ladder position, that comes with an annual stipend, in the amount of $6,692.40 and this position will be held for a 4 year limited term. Please refer to the SEA Collective Bargaining Agreement for additional information regarding Central Office Career Ladder positions.

This position's responsibilities are to provide training, assistance and support to school-based staff, teachers, principals and families to ensure students with disabilities are provided appropriate special education services; work with assigned schools to provide assistance in designing, planning and implementing school-based professional development activities and related support and training activities to actively support schools' delivery of academic assurances by providing students with special needs access to the common core state standards, access to specially designed instruction, implementation of positive behavioral intervention and supports and elimination of the achievement gap in alignment with the School/Board/Superintendent priorities.

Essential Functions

20%

• Facilitate staff development and program development activities, including utilization of current frameworks and standards in relevant areas.
• Develop ongoing assessment for staff training needs to guide professional development plan, and support staff in implementation efforts.
• Coordinate and communicate with staff in planning for program development and in-service training.

20%

• Provide ongoing supports to Special Education teachers to enhance program development and continuity of services across the district; arrange scheduled networking opportunities for teachers and paraprofessionals; facilitate problem-solving work groups to develop solutions for program needs; design and implement staff development in-service training sessions.
• Assist teachers with program organization, progress monitoring, and curriculum alignment with the general education curriculum.

15%

• Collaborate and communicate with central office staff to provide a coordinated professional development plan for school administrators, general education, special education, ELL teachers and support staff to support the academic and behavioral success of students with special needs.

10%

• Provide training opportunities for regular education staff to facilitate access for students with special needs to Common Core State Standards.

10%

• Assist enrollment services specialists with student placement in appropriate programs.
• Facilitate transitions between levels.

10%

• Facilitate teaming between general education and special education staff by promoting joint training opportunities and supporting the use of effective conferencing and mediation techniques and strategies.
• Demonstrate model lessons for school based mentor teachers and teams to observe, work along side school based coaches and teachers in demonstrating instructional strategies, guide school teams as they implement strategies in schools and classroom.

5%

• Maintain positive relationship with supporting outside agencies and parent groups.
• Provide ongoing support and communication with parents of students who receive special education services.

5%

• Work in partnership with team members to analyze data; plan and adjust trainings based on the student data.

5%

• Perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Provide response to demands or concerns of department.
• Meet timelines/deadlines as required by demands of the current work.
• Required to travel between sites.
• Attend evening meetings.
• Will sometimes be required to deal with distraught people on sensitive matters.
• Maintain a customer service approach to work.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Federal and state rules, regulations and District policies related to special education; issues, trends and theory practices in special education; experience as a member of a multi-disciplinary and IEP team, experience developing effective behavior management strategies and behavior plans.
• Adult learning theory and instructional design and delivery; collaborative methods, effective student and adult behavior management, effective instructional techniques, teaching and learning in a standards-based system, use of school and performance data to improve academic achievement, culturally competent pedagogy and school practices, curriculum alignment and integration, differentiated instruction.
• Current technology associated with presentations and training.
• Positive behavioral supports and intervention, alternatives to suspension and discipline.
• Cultural competence/sensitivity.
• Strong organizational skills, working with a diverse student population with disabilities.
• Teaming and consensus based decision-making for student and staff growth.
• Working with students with a range of challenging behaviors, supporting students in inclusive education models, use of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), effective practices for students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (EBD).
• Implementation and use of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
• Working with students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), developmental delay, Learning Disabilities, and Low Incidence disabilities.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient in use of Microsoft, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and use of personal technology devices.
• Keep focus in a fast paced work environment with many interruptions.
• Plan and deliver professional development; address and evaluate adult and student learning; work and plan assessment to improve instruction; address new trends and ideas in special education and general education.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with District staff and administrators, students, parents or guardians, outside agencies and the public in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual environment.
• Plan, organize, prioritize and multi-task; work independently and as a team member; collaborate with others; meet goals and deadlines.
• Work with interpreters in presentations and meetings.

Typical Qualifications

EDUCATION:
Master's degree

YEARS OF RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
At least 3 years of successful teaching experience in Special Education; two (2) years successful educational coaching experience or related experience mentoring/coaching adults.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:
WA State Teaching Certificate with Special Education Endorsement.

PREFERRED
WA State Teaching Certificate with Special Education Endorsement and General Education (K-8 or HQ content area).

CLEARANCES:
Criminal Justice Fingerprint or Background Check.

Supplemental Information

National Board Certification Bonus: Teachers who hold a national board certificate for the entire duration of the year are eligible for an annual bonus of $5,705. Teachers may receive an additional bonus up to $5,000 based on the teacher's percentage of time spent at a qualifying school as determined by OSPI (full-time equivalent (FTE) as reported by the employer).

Seattle Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click HERE for an overview of available benefit options.

Eligibility for benefits is determined by the number of hours employees are anticipated to work during the school year (September 1 through August 31). Any employee who is scheduled to work 630 hours or more in a year is eligible for benefits.

Salary Schedule
Please find the salary schedule associated with this role and others like it HERE.

* 01

Do you have a Master's Degree?

• Yes
• No

* 02

Do you have at least 3 years of successful teaching experience in Special Education?

• Yes
• No

* 03

Do you have at least two (2) years successful educational coaching experience or related experience mentoring/coaching adults? Please explain.

* 04

Do you have a WA State Teaching Certificate with Special Education Endorsement?

• Yes
• No

* 05

Have you read the criteria for Career Ladder eligibility, in the position summary?

• Yes
• No

* Required Question