26/27 SY Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Specialist

Dysart Unified School District•Surprise, AZ

10d

About The Position

The Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Specialist provides instructional support to teachers to advance the use of specialized instructional strategies and promote achievement for special education students. The role provides professional and technical program knowledge related to planning, organizing, and implementing special education compliance and regulatory requirements, and offers guidance on special education and gifted education programs and related services. The specialist researches and provides professional development on federal and state laws and district policies governing special education, supports the development and maintenance of an induction program for new teachers, leads department projects, and provides ongoing instructional coaching to special education teachers and staff. The role also supports IEP/504 teams with preparation and facilitation of high-profile meetings and assists with developing special education master schedules. This position reports to the Director of Exceptional Student Services and does not supervise others. It is a certified, exempt position with a 222-day work calendar and 1.0 FTE. The work environment is usually quiet. The employee frequently sits, talks, hears, and interacts with the public and staff; standing, walking, and reaching are occasional requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in Special Education or a related field.
Valid Arizona teaching certificate.
Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC).
Five years of teaching experience.
Knowledge of federal and state laws regulating special education services.
Knowledge of IDEA and ADA laws and regulations.
Ability to read, interpret, and analyze general business documents, government regulations, and technical procedures.
Ability to create and write reports, business correspondence, procedure manuals, and other written communications.
Ability to communicate with large and small groups and respond to questions from parents, students, employees, and community members.
Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as percentages, fractions, and ratios to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems involving a variety of concrete variables where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Responsibilities

Provide professional and technical program knowledge for planning, organizing, and implementing special education compliance and regulatory requirements.
Recommend approaches to staff regarding special education programs and related services in accordance with applicable federal laws, state statutes, regulations, and judicial decisions.
Recommend approaches to staff regarding gifted education programs and related services in accordance with applicable laws.
Research and provide professional development to staff on federal and state laws and district policies governing special education through multiple modalities.
Assist department staff in developing, implementing, and maintaining a district induction and support program for new teachers.
Serve as project leader for department projects and programs.
Provide ongoing instructional coaching to special education teachers and staff.
Guide IEP/504 teams in preparing for and facilitating high-profile meetings.
Assist staff in developing the special education master schedule by applying appropriate mapping.
Establish and maintain good rapport with students, employees, community members, and vendors.
Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.