Student Services Specialist: Preschool - Grade 12

About the role

The Student Services Specialist plays a pivotal role in fostering individual student learning, supporting increased student growth and outcomes for students with disabilities, and overseeing special services programs.

Responsibilities

• Supports instruction in classrooms to increase student achievement.
• Ensures academic and behavioral support for students with disabilities occur within a timely manner and a continuum of services is available to all students.
• Verifies appropriate delivery of both special education instruction and related services as stipulated on IEPs/504 plans.
• Serves as a resource for IEP meetings, including initial evaluations.
• Aligns IEP procedures and services to the District vision, mission and goals for student learning.
• Manages and oversees Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Academic and Behavioral within the school building.
• Collects and analyzes data for student achievement and program effectiveness.
• Makes recommendations based on observations of students and classrooms.
• Maintains confidentiality of student records and student information.
• Facilitates transition meetings as needed.
• Consults and relays information to district, staff and parents regarding reasonable accommodation and behavior management, strategies within the special education and general education setting.
• Aids student services personnel in the improvement and updating of methods, materials, and techniques for his/her professional area.
• Participates in due process activities as needed.
• Supports and participates in discipline training (both district delivered and building offered).
• Creates professional development and training sessions in collaboration with the building principal, the administrative team and the district to benefit the professional practice of all certified and non-certified staff.
• Works in collaboration with the building administration to hire and train certified special education teachers and paraprofessionals.
• Follows district defined timelines for the evaluation process of certified special education staff and paraprofessionals.
• Establishes and maintains effective school, community and family partnerships by providing ongoing communication regarding special education and student service programs.
• Co-coordinates the Extended School Year program.
• Attends training sessions, conferences, seminars, department and district meetings.
• Serves on district committees, task forces, work groups, etc. as requested.
• Stays up-to-date with evolving developments, trends, instructional methods and educational technologies.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree in special education or a related field.
• A valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a General Administrative Endorsement/license.
• Minimum of five years teaching and/or administrative experiences.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and ethical standards for Special education programs and the IEP process; the relevant state and federal laws, rules and regulations; and applicable district policies.
• Working knowledge of District 300's mission, vision, strategic plan and core values and beliefs preferred.
• Working knowledge of the District 300 IEP processes and related policies preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of individuals, ranging from employees to parents of students.
• Ability to deal effectively and appropriately with students, parents and other educational professionals regarding student academic and behavioral supports.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to be flexible and prioritize activities for the benefit of students.
• Ability to consult with school personnel in developing, implementing and supporting special education staff with social skills lessons and activities for students.
• Experience in the development and implementation of individual education plans related to appropriate goals and benchmarks.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with administrators, faculty, staff, students and external entities to raise academic performance.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-performing, and at times, unpredictable environment.
• Demonstrate strong work ethic, accept responsibility, and the ability to be self-motivated.
• Ability to take the initiative to resolve problems without direction.
• Ability to process large amounts of information and organize the information to present it to various individuals who do not possess firsthand knowledge of the situation.
• Ability to work well with other people in a team oriented environment.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data for decision making.
• Ability to incorporate and translate organizational and department missions into day-to-day practices.
• Ability to effectively lead a group of people in day-to-day activities, contributing to the accomplishment of organization and department goals.
• Ability to review and analyze assessment data collected by the District and Illinois State Board of Education.
• Ability to make tough decisions and support principals in making tough decisions.
• Ability to develop and implement behavior intervention plans, classroom management systems, and reinforcement systems.
• Ability to use effective instructional strategies and techniques.
• Ability to develop and provide training related to effective practices in all school settings.

Skills

• Strong leadership and supervisory competencies.
• Knowledge of special education programs and the IEP process.
• Understanding of Federal and State Special Education laws.
• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of individuals.
• Ability to deal with students, parents, and other educational professionals.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Flexibility and prioritization skills.
• Ability to consult with school personnel.
• Experience in developing and implementing individual education plans.
• Collaboration and teamwork skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data.
• Ability to lead a group of people.
• Ability to make tough decisions.
• Ability to develop and implement behavior intervention plans.
• Ability to use effective instructional strategies.
• Ability to provide training related to effective practices.

Benefits

261 days, including paid legal holidays
25 Vacation days
12 sick days
2 personal days
Monthly mileage stipend of $125
Medical, dental, optical insurance-employee choice of high deductible PPO/HSA, PPO or HMO
Life insurance
Doctoral tuition reimbursement

Pay

$102,595 - $111,051

Schedule

261 days, including paid legal holidays