Preschool Evaluator

Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years. East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years. Employment Type: Full-time Base Salary: $55,886.00 Calendar: Certified Exempt, 187 workdays Benefits: Sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance Performance Pay: Available annually New Hire Experience: $500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experience New Hire Education: $65/hour of graduate level credits: BA +45 hours max, MA +60 hours max $1000 for advanced degrees Job Summary: The Preschool Evaluator is responsible for screening, evaluating, and completing Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) reports to determine eligibility for preschool services. This role is part of the Child Find Evaluation Team and focuses on identifying young children with potential developmental delays or disabilities. The evaluator works collaboratively with families, school personnel, and related service providers to ensure a smooth transition into appropriate preschool services. Candidates must complete an on-line application which requires appropriate Arizona certification, valid IVP Arizona fingerprint clearance card, evidence of highly qualified status, three letters of recommendation, and transcript of credits. Key Responsibilities: Conduct developmental screenings and comprehensive evaluations for preschool-aged children referred to Child FindAdminister and interpret formal and informal assessments in areas such as cognitive, communication, motor, social-emotional, and adaptive developmentCollaborate with multidisciplinary team members, including psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, to determine eligibility for special education servicesComplete MET reports that summarize assessment results and eligibility determinationsDevelop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) based on evaluation data and in collaboration with parents and team membersProvide clear and supportive communication to families throughout the evaluation and eligibility determination processEnsure compliance with state and federal special education regulations, including timelines for evaluation and eligibility determinationMaintain accurate and timely documentation of evaluations, reports, and eligibility decisionsSupport the transition of eligible children into preschool programs by communicating with preschool teachers and service providers regarding student needsParticipate in Child Find outreach activities to identify children who may require early intervention or preschool special education servicesEngage in professional development to stay current on best practices in early childhood assessment and special education Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degreeValid Arizona Special Education or Early Childhood Education Teaching Certificate (or relevant certification for evaluation purposes)Prior teaching experienceKnowledge of early childhood development, special education eligibility criteria, and assessment proceduresExperience conducting developmental screenings and formal evaluations for young childrenStrong skills in report writing, data analysis, and collaboration with families and multidisciplinary teamsAbility to develop and maintain cooperative and effective professional relationships with teachers, administrators, and parentsEffective verbal and written communication skillsExperience working with students with Autism and other developmental disabilitiesBilingual (Spanish) preferred Skills & Competencies: Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a GraduateAdheres to federal and state laws, board policies, and district procedures regarding Child Find and special educationMaintains ethical and professional standards in all interactions with students, families, and colleaguesAccepts supervision and guidance from the Child Find Coordinator or designated administratorParticipates in team meetings, professional development, and school/district initiatives as requiredDemonstrates a commitment to continuous professional growth and improvement of evaluation practicesAlways maintains a professional appearance and responsible behaviorEnsures a nondiscriminatory and inclusive approach to evaluations and service recommendationsPerforms other job-related duties as assigned by the Child Find Coordinator or district administrator Work Environment & Physical Requirements: Traditional setup with desks, whiteboards, and digital tools like projectors or interactive televisionsTeachers may supervise students in hallways, cafeterias, playgrounds, and outdoor spacesNormal 8-hour workdays except Parent-teacher conferences, professional development, and extracurricular activities may extend work hoursEngaging with diverse students, managing classroom behavior, and addressing learning differencesTeachers often spend long hours standing and walking around the classroom or school premisesMay need to lift books, teaching materials, and classroom supplies, usually under 20 lbs. but sometimes more Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.