SPED Coordinator-Bonus Eligible

The Home for Little Wanderers • Walpole, MA

6h • Onsite

About The Position

Clifford Academy is a small, therapeutic school with an enrollment of up to 48 students that receive special education services as indicated in their IEPs. The Special Education Coordinator (SEC) is an important administrative position that works with public, sending-school districts and guardians to ensure services are in place to support student educational progress. Under the direction of the Senior Director of Education and Principal, the SEC is responsible for implementing and managing compliant, high-quality special education services for students. An important function of the SEC role includes ensuring compliance with established DESE policies, procedures and/or regulations.

Requirements

• Valid Massachusetts license as Special Education Administrator required.
• Bachelor's degree in the appropriate discipline or in educational leadership.
• Demonstrated skills in organizational development, planning, decision-making, and interpersonal and community relations.
• Depth of knowledge regarding special education laws, regulations, processes and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal and written/oral communication skills enabling information sharing and the development of trusting relationships with guardians, staff, students, outside evaluators, advocates, and administrators.
• Skill in interpreting assessments and determining educational interventions in response to a student.
• Demonstrated skill in meeting facilitation, case management, communication and pedagogy.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage the special education referral and team process.
• Experience supervising and evaluating staff.
• Teaching or other special education service skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Computer proficiency and adaptability across various Microsoft applications and job-related platforms.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree desired.
• Prior experience as a special education director preferred.

Responsibilities

• Managing and facilitating the school’s special education program and services
• Constructing and communicating individual education plans (IEPs) and co-facilitating (with districts) IEP meetings
• Acting as a liaison between the school and collaterals associated with student educational teams and serving as a resource of information regarding special education programs and services.
• Ensures IEPs meet all regulatory standards, written to reflect best practice, reflect high quality programming and are implemented and documented with integrity.
• Collaborates with districts and guardians in the development of Individual Education Programs. (I.E.P.'s).
• Works with building-based teams to develop and implement efficient and effective service delivery models reflecting best practices.
• Facilitates meetings that range in purpose including evaluating situations, identifying appropriate actions, developing recommendations and/or implementing desired program changes.
• Manages assigned programs and/or services for the purpose of achieving outcomes in relation to program objectives.
• Facilitates the intake process of new students enrolling at the school.
• Supervises a small number of service providers, e.g., the speech and language pathologist and the occupational therapist, regarding IEP goals and meetings.
• Has knowledge of effective instructional practices associated with accommodations and modifications.
• Manages challenging cases, by maintaining effective guardian, staff, advocate and outside evaluator communications.
• Collaborates with school staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and coordination of practices across the school and agency.
• Functions as the Clifford point of contact for student education services.
• Responds to urgent issues promptly, e.g., guardian and/or outside collateral concerns.
• Maintains complete up-to-date records of students' progress.
• Facilitates delivery of special education services such as occupational therapy, speech, health education, and psychological and social work services on a student-by-student basis.
• Performs other school duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance are available
• Generous time off including up to 15 days per year for new full-time employees, plus 11 holidays, and 5 sick days
• Extensive training to new staff
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $2,400 per fiscal year
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Employer paid Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance, plus Basic Life and AD&D Insurance

What This Job Offers

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