Special Education Coordinator

Albemarle County Public Schools•Charlottesville, VA

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Special Education Coordinator provides leadership in developing and supporting the division’s special education program and services. This role is crucial for ensuring that students receive engaging, challenging, and relevant learning experiences, preparing them to be lifelong contributors and leaders in a dynamic and diverse society. Albemarle County Public Schools is committed to working together to end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for student success through high-quality teaching and learning for all. The division aims to build relationships with families and communities to ensure every student succeeds, with a vision to know every student. Albemarle County Public Schools is a pioneer in developing and implementing an Anti-Racism policy to build school communities that recognize and end racism, eliminate inequitable practices, and support the unique gifts, talents, and interests of every child. The division emphasizes that 'all' truly means all.

Requirements

Master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
Eligible for endorsement as a special education teacher, school psychologist or school social worker.
Minimum of five years experience working with children with disabilities in a public school setting.
Knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, equipment, and clerical techniques.
Proficient with Microsoft Office to include Access, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Ability to copy documents, maintain files, and answer telephones.
Ability to greet parents/the general public and respond to their needs.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and current issues involved with conducting professional development initiatives; instructional best practices, adult learning theory, training design and development, and organizational development theory and practice.
Excellent instructional delivery techniques and the ability to coach and train teachers and administrators in effective instructional techniques and strategies.
Demonstrated skills in workshop presentation, teambuilding techniques, and small/large group facilitation.
Ability to design and present training materials and programs.
Excellent human relations, communication and organizational skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels of the division to include administrators and teachers.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents and the general public.
Ability to use time efficiently and work with little supervision.

Nice To Haves

Administrator Endorsement preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervises Special Services staff to include Related Service Staff, Special Education Teachers, Special Education Teaching Assistants.
Provides special education guidance regarding instruction/programming/regulations to School Based Administrators/Staff in buildings assigned.
Reviews IEPs for legal compliance and oversees the implementation of those IEPs for all students in buildings assigned.
Monitors teacher caseloads.
Provides guidance and expertise to multidisciplinary teams which determine special education eligibility.
Provides input, expertise and guidance at multidisciplinary, school based team meetings which problem-solve issues related to individual student programs.
Provides expertise and guidance in coordinating activities related to the participation of children with disabilities in the various assessment programs.
Ensures collaboration with school staff so that students with disabilities receive instruction in the Standards of Learning and Albemarle County Curriculum, if appropriate.
Provides expertise, facilitation and support in manifestation determination meetings.
Reviews and evaluates essential information to and advises, based on review and evaluation of essential information the types of programs needed by the schools and makes appropriate recommendations.
Ensures all students with disabilities have an appropriate student placements by securing appropriate records are in place, assigning students to particular classes, arranging transportation, coordinating communication between all appropriate personnel, etc.
Provides leadership to parents/citizen advisory groups or interagency groups as directed by the Director of Special Education or Executive Director of Special Education and Student Services.
Creates, leads and supports division staff development by providing professional development to school division staff.
Develops/provides specialized knowledge about adaptive equipment, restraint techniques, or other topics as assigned by the Director or Special Education/Student Services.
Upon request of principals, arranges demonstration lessons for teachers.
Serves on interagency teams that provide services to children.
Serves on interview teams for Special Services positions and makes recommendations for the best candidate to hire.
Works collaboratively with others on the special education team to develop division wide educational programming.
Recruits, hires, supports, develops, and retains effective and caring special education teachers and other professional staff, and form them into an educationally-effective faculty.
Are approachable, accessible, and welcoming to families and members of the community.
Creates means for the school community to partner with families to support student learning in and out of school.
Creates and sustains positive, collaborative, and productive relationships with families and the community for the benefit of students.
Leads with interpersonal and communication skills, social-emotional insight, and understanding of all students' and staff members’ backgrounds and cultures.
Ensures that each student is treated fairly, respectfully, and with an understanding of each student’s culture and context.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education or the Executive Director of Student Services and Special Education.