26-27 Special Education Department Coordinator

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Evaluate special education staff in conjunction with Building Principal and Administrator of Special Education
• Provide leadership to building based special education staff through technical assistance with federal and state special education mandates
• Provide training for teachers, teaching assistants and instructors
• Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff
• Participate in the assignment of special education support staff
• Supervise specialized programs and curriculum in programs by ensuring compliance with federal and state special education mandates
• Work with building principal, general education and special education staff to develop inclusion opportunities for special education students
• Provide curriculum leadership involving the application of the curriculum frameworks, specialized instruction materials, and the development of alternative assessment tools
• Aid and facilitate with administrative personnel in the budget process
• Oversee building based special education caseload assignments and building based due process compliance, including, but not limited to the dissemination of special education communications and documents within mandated timelines
• Work with principal(s), directors and staff to complete student and special education staff schedules and caseloads
• Work with the Administrator of Special Education to facilitate district wide special education meetings
• Facilitate development and compliance of Individual Education Plans
• Schedule and chair building based Team meetings including Initial Evaluations, Re-evaluations and meetings to review results of Independent evaluations
• Work with principal(s) and special education liaisons to schedule and chair annual review meetings
• Work with the Administrator of Special Education, special education staff, principals, and parents to assign students to out of district placements
• Review and monitor students’ Individualized Education Programs in accordance with state and federal due process requirements
• Foster positive and supportive relationships between parents, students and special education staff
• Foster optimal parental input
• Foster Inclusion by working with principals, directors, teachers, and parents
• Actively facilitate communication of all parties regarding the success of special education students
• Represent the school district in Out of District Individualized Education Meetings
• Facilitate the grade level transition process as well as the transition of students into the district from out of district placements and as new students to the district
• Serve as liaison in matters of transportation for special needs students

Physical Requirements

• May involve lifting or carrying items up to 10 lbs
• Frequent walking or standing
• Ability to perceive written information (near vision)
• Ability to perceive distant objects or hazards (far vision)
• Ability to hear and understand verbal instructions
• Ability to speak clearly

Qualifications & Requirements

• MA DESE Certification as a Special Education Administrator/Director
• Reporting Relationships: The Superintendent of Somerville Public Schools and Director of Special Education
• Terms of Employment: Position Type: Full Time, FLSA Classification: Exempt, Union Status: SAAS
• Salary and benefits are determined in accordance with the Somerville Administrators Association collective bargaining agreement and the policies of the Somerville School Committee
• Pre-Employment Requirements: MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Clearance, Fingerprints