Special Programs Specialist Level II

Your Mission in Action

The Special Programs Specialist Level II provides direct, hands-on support within the classroom for students who have been identified, referred to, or diagnosed with a disability, and collaborates closely with teaching staff to implement individualized action plans and ensure IEP and IFSP accommodations are carried out with fidelity.

Special Programs Specialist Level II identifies and refers children with suspected disabilities to the appropriate agencies, ensures timely development and ongoing monitoring of plans such as IEPs, IFSPs, and 504s, and serves as a liaison between families, service providers, and education teams. They work to reduce re-traumatization, foster resilience, and improve academic and non-academic outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Maintains IFSP/IEP/504 annual review dates and attends ARD meetings for children with maladaptive behaviors
• Recommends, implements, monitors, and adjusts classroom accommodations and support to meet students' individualized needs
• Provides in-class, hands-on assistance modeling strategies, differentiated instruction, implementing and tracking IAP/IEP/IFSP/504 goals, interventions, and accommodations for students with suspected/identified disabilities
• Maintains up-to-date progress, monitors notes, and documentation by utilizing forms authorized by the Special Programs Director and uploading them in the online database system(s) in a timely manner
• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings, conferences, training sessions, workshops, and professional development as assigned
• Updates leadership on caseload referrals, disability percentages, and addresses any concerns related to Disabilities
• Complies with the company code of conduct and other applicable regulations and requirements, including Licensing Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), Upbring Policies and Procedures, Child Care Minimum Standards, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements
• Ensures ongoing monitoring, tracking, follow-up, and analysis of disabilities data; produces regular reports for management meetings and/or on an as-needed basis; maintains systems, databases, files, etc., ensuring the security of data
• Ensures child health and safety by promptly reporting concerns, engaging families through orientation and ongoing evaluations, facilitating referrals, maintaining accurate documentation, conducting student observations, coordinating school-based services, and fostering clear communication among staff to support special programs

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, special education, psychology, counseling, or a related field; Valid Texas Teacher Certificate with Special Education Endorsement; Two (2) years of Special Education classroom teaching experience in one or more service delivery models, including Early Childhood, Co-Teaching, Inclusion, Resource settings, and/or Life Skills; Demonstrated knowledge of Special Education process and law (Child Find, FIE, REED, Procedural Safeguards, FAPE, etc.), including the Special Education referral process and evaluation systems; Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), Section 504
• PREFERRED Qualifications: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, special education, psychology, counseling, or a related field; Two (2) or more years of professional experience organizing or implementing trauma-informed and evidence-based prevention and intervention services for children with disabilities; Three (3) or more years of Special Education classroom teaching experience; Working knowledge of evidence-based trauma-informed practices