Special Education Coordinator (Student Services/Districtwide)

Location: Student Services / Districtwide – Full-time (1.0 FTE) position available July 2026.

About the Role

This position coordinates services within the Student Services Department, including special services such as Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, School Psychology, Deaf and Hearing, Vision, Adaptive Physical Education, and Extended School Year. The role involves assisting with recruitment and training for certified and non-certified staff, supporting a culturally rich student population, and addressing the needs of children with special needs.

Responsibilities

• Assists principals and teachers in ensuring compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations governing special education services and procedures, including IDEA.
• Contributes to the development of the district-wide special education budget and recommends allocations for special education programs.
• Provides input on staffing needs for assigned special education programs.
• Determines appropriate placement of pupils with special needs if recommended by the IEP team.
• Collaborates with community and state agencies regarding the needs of special education students.
• Recruits and interviews applicants, making hiring recommendations for special education positions district-wide.
• Assists principals with hiring recommendations for special education personnel.
• Supports IEP teams in transitioning students from elementary to middle school and/or middle school to high school.
• Provides in-service training to special education teachers and support staff on state and federal laws, district procedures, student evaluations, and changes in special education paperwork.
• Assists with the supervision and evaluation of district-wide special education employees.
• Attends School Board meetings and other required meetings.
• Fills in for the Director of Student Services as needed.
• Plans and organizes in-service presentations in coordination with executive directors of special education and curriculum.
• Attends multidisciplinary team and IEP meetings to assist in developing appropriate plans for eligible students.
• Meets with building-level intervention team leaders as requested.
• Assists with state and federal reporting data.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, special education, or a closely related field.
• Must have, or be eligible for and obtain upon hire, an Alaska Type-B administrative certificate.
• Broad working knowledge of procedures, best practices, and training across the field of special education.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of combined regular and/or special education experience.
• Experience in training and mentoring adults in special education practices or similar educational roles.
• Skills in conflict resolution, research, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
• Knowledge and training in best practices in regular education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in special education.
• Knowledge of special education programs and requirements.
• Three (3) years of successful administrative experience.
• Experience with IDEA requirements and knowledge of 504 regulations.
• Experience serving children of varied ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Proven effective interpersonal and communication skills with students, staff, parents, district, and community.
• Demonstrated skills as a team builder, mediator, and facilitator.
• Experience in equitable, consistent behavior management and follow-through.
• Experience administering alternative school programs.
• Working knowledge of school law and relevant federal laws.
• Demonstrated ability to handle a high volume of tasks and responsibilities.

Schedule

215-day contract period from August to June, aligned with the School Board’s work year for administrator/coordinator positions.

Pay

Annual salary range: $110,870.00 – $140,039.00 (placement dependent on experience).

Benefits

• Employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Employer-paid life insurance plan.
• Membership in the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) plan.
• Optional tax-deferred retirement plan.
• Relocation cost reimbursement.