Special Education Coordinator

Minimum salary: $72,744.00 (dependent on education and experience).

About the Role

The Special Education Coordinator provides direct compliance support for the district, ensuring adherence to state and federal guidelines pertaining to special education. Responsibilities include coordinating and monitoring evaluation timelines, IEP document compliance, implementation of IEPs, progress monitoring data updates, ACHIEVE updates, and maintenance of special education audit files.

Responsibilities

• District Compliance
  • Conducts new teacher training for IEP writing.
  • Informs campus-based special education staff and administrators of timelines for IEP development, annual reviews, evaluation timelines, reevaluations, and MDR.
  • Conducts monthly IEP audits to ensure compliance with federal, state, and district special education policies and procedures.
  • Manages document status to ensure IEPs are legally compliant before archiving.
  • Monitors all special education records for accurate student/program counts.
  • Meets at least monthly with the Director of Special Education to provide updates on documentation.
  • Manages the overall ACHIEVE system for special education.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education.
  • Oversees ACHIEVE LEA management as permission manager.
• Professional Development and Collaboration
  • Stays abreast of current trends, research, and best practices in special education and therapeutic interventions.
  • Participates in required professional development activities, workshops, and training sessions.
  • Collaborates with colleagues to share expertise, resources, and strategies for supporting students with disabilities.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education or Executive Director of Student and Family Services.
• Program Oversight
  • Fosters positive and collaborative relationships with leaders, teachers, support staff, parents, and community stakeholders.
  • Facilitates problem-solving discussions with IEP teams to ensure equity of voice and team consensus on issues regarding FAPE.
  • Collaborates with leadership to promote inclusive practices and a supportive learning environment for all students.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Special Education, Education Leadership, or a related field (preferred).
• Iowa state certification in Special Education or a related area.
• Extensive experience in special education.
• Leadership experience (preferred).
• Strong understanding of:
  • Federal and state special education rules and laws.
  • Key components of the IEP process and documents (e.g., goals, services).
  • Secondary transition planning.
• Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to ensure completion of tasks.
• Close attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and strong strategic analysis skills.
• Able to develop and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and peers.
• Able to work well independently as well as collaboratively.
• Ability to execute meetings, calls, and emails with professionalism, courtesy, and accuracy.
• Personal qualities of maturity, humility, strong work ethic, and diligence.

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed primarily in school settings, including classrooms, common areas, and specialized learning environments.
• Ability to work with and manage students who exhibit challenging behaviors with high levels of dysregulation.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to escort a disruptive student safely from a setting.

Work Environment

• Noise level ranges from quiet to loud.
• Work may be indoors and/or outdoors, including in non-air-conditioned rooms.
• Substance-free environment.
• Fast-paced atmosphere with constant contact with students, staff, or the public.
• Direct responsibility for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.