Parent & School Liaison @ Special Education, 5 Hrs, Cont.

Spokane Public Schools • Admin Building - Special Education - Spokane, WA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Spokane Public Schools is seeking qualified candidates who are prepared and excited to provide a 21st century learning environment that effectively addresses the emerging necessity of social emotional supports and blending learning strategies. Serve as a liaison between families of special needs students and Spokane Public Schools, working with individual school staffs, Special Education staff and the Student Services staff.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, Educational Leadership, Counseling, Social Work, or related field is required.
• Demonstrated understanding of Special Education Law, ADA regulations, and School Law.
• Minimum of five (5) years experience in a job-related leadership role.
• Demonstrated understanding of Special Education disability categories and specific student needs based on eligibility, including Autism, Developmental Delay, Emotional/Behavioral Disability, Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disability).
• Experience with the practices of dispute resolution and mediation, including understanding of interpersonal communication and resolution process and protocols.
• Understanding and knowledge of Manifestation Determination Review.
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately assess and to respond to individual and group situations providing conflict resolution support and assistance as appropriate.
• Demonstrated understanding of the change process and its relationship to current trends in public education.
• Demonstrated ability to use computer technologies to enhance instruction and management of administrative functions.
• Demonstrated commitment to adhere to district policies and procedures.
• Required use of personal vehicle.
• Skills and Competency Requirements: The candidate will show skills and competency in working with students and families from undertaking initial reports, planning and delivery of services, effective problem solving strategies and mediation techniques that will meet the needs of students, families, and schools.
• The candidate will have the ability to listen actively when spoken to and effectively communicate their thoughts to others.
• They will be sensitive to, and build positive relationships with persons regardless of race, culture, gender, physical limitation, sexual orientation, including gender expression or gender identity, or religious belief, or other differences with an active commitment to equal opportunity for all persons.
• They will have the ability to foster an environment that focuses on quality results while motivating, developing, and supporting a diverse staff, encouraging continuous improvement, and working effectively as a member of a diverse team.
• They will be able to work alone and in a team, with fellow staff, in the business setting and actively seek out advice and/or guidance in order to solve problems.
• The candidate will have good time management and multitasking skills and actively seek to accomplish tasks and be able to use a variety of methods and ideas to solve problems while also being open to suggestions from others in order to find solutions.
• The candidate will possess excellent managerial and leadership skills/competency to enable them to support and motivate others.
• The successful candidate is expected to have excellent communication skills, sensitivity and approachability to enable them to connect with others, develop and train them in order to ensure a successful partnership between families and schools as they deliver educational services to their students.
• Being able to manage under pressure and conflicting demands, they should be professional at all times in order to make decisions and manage crises while supporting the staff and individuals being served.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree or experience in Legal Studies or experience working in legal services preferred.
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCB) or advanced degree in Special Education preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receive, track, respond, and support parent/family concerns in their advocacy for use of best practices in serving their special needs students.
• Document parent issues and ensure that proper protocol, policies, practices, and due diligence has been followed.
• Utilize expertise and training to problem solve and mediate solutions with families and school staff that best serve students.
• Review and analyze District systems and supports as well as family concerns in order to identify and implement strategies that increase families and students' knowledge of District policies and procedures and enhance their advocacy efforts.
• Implement strategies that grow parent and staff knowledge of student rights as well as the role and legal requirements of public education.
• Participate in Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), Individualized Education Program (IEP), and 504 Plan meetings as needed.
• Identify and implement strategies for active listening and engagement of family and staff in order to fully understand issues and make recommendations about procedural, instructional and behavior planning and intervention strategies.
• Facilitate effective two-way conversations between families and staff and around challenges in order to increase effectiveness and full participation of, and in the interest of, all parties.
• Identify and maintain a current community supports resource list for students and families with special needs.
• Serve as a resource and consultant around special education to school building administrators and building teams regarding student rights, responsibilities, enrollment, attendance, discipline, special education rules and regulations, district policies, and procedures.
• Work closely and collaboratively with the respective administrator in the supervision and organization of all legal compliance for 504 and Special Education students.
• Facilitate compliance features related to appropriate comprehensive evaluation of students, established individual educational plans, and due process procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective school/community relationships, interpret program to the community, and enlist the participation of the community in school life.
• Coordinate and utilize community resources and parent groups for the effective development of services to students with disabilities.
• Collaborate with pertinent agencies for the implementation of services to students with disabilities, as needed.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the Collective Bargaining Agreements between Spokane Public Schools and the Spokane Education Association relevant to special education.
• Work closely with Human Resources on unclear areas in the CBAs.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of District policies and procedures regarding special education, 504 Accommodation Plans, and student discipline.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision through SEBB (School Employee Benefits Board) are provided for employees who work at least 630 hours per academic year.
• Vacation, sick, personal days, and paid holidays.
• Multiple medical plans offered from various providers such as Kaiser Permanente WA, Premera Blue Cross, and the Uniform Medical Plan (for example) to fit your needs for varying cost and care options.
• Vision and Dental plan options, as well as standard Life and AD&D insurance are offered at no cost to the employee.
• Additional employee paid benefits like Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), supplemental Life and AD&D, Long-Term Disability insurance, and Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA).
• Benefit eligible Spokane Public Schools employees and their dependent family members have access to free, confidential counseling, consultation and referral services through the Employee Assistance Program.
• School District Employees participate in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) public pension plan.
• Employees can choose from a lifetime retirement pension plan or a hybrid pension and investment plan that contributes between 5% and 15% of wages to retirement.
• Employees can also participate in voluntary savings programs to increase retirement savings such as the DRS Deferred Compensation Program or by participating in a 403(b)-retirement plan through the district’s plan manager, OMNI.

What This Job Offers

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