Temporary 504 Coordinator

Meridian Charter Schools • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Temporary Section 504 Coordinator supports Meridian Charter Schools in ensuring the appropriate identification, evaluation, eligibility determination, plan development, implementation, and monitoring of students who may qualify for protections and services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Reporting directly to the Special Education Manager, the Temporary Section 504 Coordinator works collaboratively with school leaders, general education teachers, related service providers, nurses, families, and other relevant staff to ensure that Section 504 processes are implemented consistently and in accordance with federal law, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requirements and guidance, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) policies and procedures, and Meridian expectations. The Temporary Section 504 Coordinator will provide direct coordination and compliance support across Meridian campuses, including facilitating Section 504 meetings, maintaining required documentation, monitoring timelines and implementation, supporting staff understanding of accommodations, and ensuring families are meaningfully engaged throughout the Section 504 process. Travel across campuses and the network office may be required.

Requirements

• Must hold an active ISBE Endorsement for LBS1.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Experience working within a K–12 educational setting.
• Demonstrated experience supporting students with disabilities, Section 504 processes, special education, student services, or related compliance systems.
• Working knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), procedural safeguards, disability-based accommodations, and requirements related to the identification, evaluation, placement, and educational access of students with disabilities.
• Ability to facilitate collaborative, legally compliant meetings involving families, educators, related service providers, administrators, and other stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple student cases, timelines, meetings, records, and compliance requirements simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to drive decision-making.
• Demonstrate ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Passion for education and a commitment to promoting equity and inclusivity in the learning environment.
• Passionate about promoting equity and inclusion in education, with a commitment to dismantling systemic barriers.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Education, Special Education, or a related field highly preferred.
• Knowledge of CPS Section 504 procedures and ISBE requirements and guidance strongly preferred.
• Experience utilizing CPS student information or specialized services systems, including SSM, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support a comprehensive vision for equitable access and specialized student supports that aligns with Meridian Charter Schools' mission and values.
• Ensure Section 504 practices comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as applicable ISBE requirements and CPS policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records and sensitive information and ensure that Section 504 processes protect the procedural rights of students and their parents/guardians.
• Ensure each student is treated fairly and respectfully and that Section 504 decisions are made based on individual student needs.
• Support teams in considering the student's educational, cultural, linguistic, health, and disability-related needs when determining eligibility, accommodations, services, and supports.
• Promote equitable access and nondiscriminatory practices throughout the Section 504 process.
• Promote learning environments in which students with disabilities have equitable access to academic learning, school activities, programs, and opportunities.
• Collaborate with school teams to identify and remove disability-related barriers that may interfere with a student's access to or participation in the educational environment.
• Provide guidance, technical assistance, and professional development to school leaders, teachers, related service providers, and other staff regarding Section 504 requirements, procedures, accommodations, documentation, and implementation.
• Support staff in understanding their individual responsibilities for implementing Section 504 Plans as written.
• Collaborate with educators, related service providers, nurses, school leaders, and other relevant personnel to coordinate Section 504 referrals, evaluations, eligibility determinations, plan development, and reviews.
• Serve as the Section 504 Coordinator and chairperson for assigned Section 504 meetings.
• Ensure appropriate team members are identified and participate based on the student's presenting needs and suspected area of disability.
• Coordinate the Section 504 process, including receiving and coordinating referrals for initial Section 504 evaluations, ensuring required pre-conference activities and documentation are completed within applicable timelines, coordinating the collection and review of relevant data, ensuring appropriate parent/guardian consent and notices are obtained, convening and facilitating meetings, ensuring appropriate team members participate, facilitating team-based decisions, coordinating the development and completion of Section 504 Plans, ensuring meeting discussions, decisions, and the team's decision-making process are appropriately documented, providing parents/guardians with completed Section 504 Plans and applicable procedural safeguards, ensuring completed Section 504 Plans are appropriately maintained, and coordinating subsequent meetings and reviews.
• Ensure parents and guardians are meaningfully involved throughout the Section 504 process and have access to information necessary to understand their child's rights and educational supports.
• Communicate clearly with families regarding referrals, evaluations, eligibility, meetings, accommodations, services, procedural safeguards, and next steps.
• Ensure families have opportunities to participate in decision-making and ask questions throughout the process.
• Maintain accurate and organized Section 504 documentation and monitor compliance with applicable timelines and procedural requirements.
• Utilize CPS systems, including the Special Education Student Management (SSM) system, and other Meridian tracking tools as applicable to maintain student records and monitor Section 504 processes.
• Monitor Section 504 caseloads and compliance across assigned campuses, including upcoming and overdue meetings and reviews, initial evaluation and eligibility timelines, required notices and consent, completion and distribution of plans, documentation of accommodations and services, implementation of accommodations and services, access to plans for staff, required supporting documentation, and student transfers.
• Immediately communicate identified compliance concerns, missed timelines, implementation concerns, or other significant Section 504 issues to the Special Education Manager and appropriate school leadership.
• Ensure staff responsible for implementing a student's Section 504 Plan are informed of their responsibilities and have access to the current plan.
• Monitor implementation of accommodations, supports, and services outlined within Section 504 Plans and work with school teams to address identified implementation concerns.
• Support teams in reviewing student data to determine whether accommodations remain appropriate and effective.
• Use Section 504 data and compliance information to identify trends, areas of strength, and opportunities for improvement across Meridian schools.
• Provide regular updates to the Special Education Manager regarding Section 504 caseloads, upcoming timelines, compliance status, implementation concerns, and areas requiring additional school-based support.
• Collaborate with school leaders to strengthen systems that ensure students with disabilities have equitable access to educational opportunities.
• Maintain organized documentation and tracking systems that allow for continuity of Section 504 processes beyond the temporary assignment.
• Prior to the conclusion of the assignment, provide the Special Education Manager and/or designated staff member with an updated status of all active Section 504 cases, upcoming deadlines, pending evaluations or meetings, identified compliance concerns, and necessary follow-up actions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Support professional growth/membership educational organizations that align with our work and demonstrate a transformative impact on participants.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level