Job Title: Special Education Coordinator                                         Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Department/School:  Special Education                                        Pay Grade: 103 Admin

Reports to: Exec. Dir. of Special Education                                      Date Revised: 

Primary Purpose:

Coordinate the district’s special education program to ensure provision of services for special needs students. Collaborate with district staff and outside personnel to formulate, develop, implement, and evaluate special education programs and services.  Work to ensure compliance with all state, federal, and local requirements.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Master’s degree

Texas Mid-Management or other appropriate Texas Certificate (preferred)

Valid Texas Teaching Certificate with Special Education Endorsement or other appropriate Texas Certificate/License

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Ability to communicate with all levels of special needs students and their parents

Ability to organize and coordinate districtwide program

Ability to manage budget and personnel as assigned

Ability to interpret data

Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Knowledge of federal and state special education rules and regulations

Experience:

Five years teaching experience in special education or combined experience as an educational diagnostician or related field

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Program Management

1. Involve staff in developing, maintaining, and revising curricular and instructional materials/ programs based on systematic review and analysis of student needs.
2. Demonstrates appropriate use of student achievement data in interpreting, reporting, and acting on results.
3. Inform Executive Director or other administration of the effects of current and pending student specific cases.
4. Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the special education programs and implement changes based on the findings.
5. Use the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) and customized T-TESS with special education teachers, special education personnel, and related service staff.
6. Conferences regularly with assigned staff to discuss performance, jointly develop improvement objectives, and identify professional development and training opportunities.
7. Provides professional development training, as needed, on campuses or at the district level related to special education.

Consultation

1. Consults with and serves as liaison between Executive Director of Special Education, school personnel, parents and other agencies to coordinate the provision of special education services.
2. Uses formal and informal feedback from others to create and maintain a positive climate and ensure that special education staff supports a positive climate on assigned campuses.
3. Demonstrates skill in conflict resolution with administrators, parents, teachers, staff, and/or the community.
4. Responds appropriately to situations that could impair the teaching/learning process or could threaten safety and the well being of students and staff.
5. Provides technical assistance to principals and teachers to encourage overall improved performance.
6. Ensures that rules and procedures for the discipline of special education students are effective and conform to federal and state laws.

Budget and Inventory

1. Ensure that programs are cost effective and that federal/special programs are managed wisely and in accordance with regulations/guidelines.
2. Compile budget and cost estimates based on documented program needs.

Policy, Reports, and Law

1. Supports the district-wide goals and objectives for school and organizational climate.
2. Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required, including required financial reports to TEA.
3. Ensures that federal and state laws and regulations concerning the education of special education students are observed.  
4. Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and the local board policy.
5. Performs duties in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner as defined in the TEA Code of Ethics for educators.  

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise and evaluate the performance of special services teachers, related services, and support staff as assigned by the Executive Director of Special Education.  

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent district-wide and occasional state-wide travel.  Frequent prolonged and irregular hours.