Special Education Program Specialist

Profile

Department or Location:

Special Education

Position Type:

Certified / Contracted

Job Title:

Program Specialist

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Reports To:

Director

Days Worked:

210 Days (11 months)

Education

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in special education, leadership, administration or supervision.

Certification or Licensure:

Holds or meets requirements for Georgia leadership certification, and teacher certification in special education or related field.

Skills:

Knowledge of federal laws/regulations and state rules applying to students with disabilities and of general and special education instructional programs within Richmond County School System. Knowledge of Georgia Performance Standards. Ability to guide and organize school staff and provide technical support and assistance. Ability to problem solve by addressing instructional and programmatic issues identified by administrators, parents, and community members at-large. Ability to work collaboratively with special education staff, central office leadership, principals, teachers community agencies and parents. Demonstrated ability to accomplish short and long range planning aimed at timely and effective delivery of services. Excellent oral, written communications and human relations skills. Knowledge of the Georgia School Code; the Individuals with Disabilities Education improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), (P.L. 108-446), The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (S504) other legislation that impacts students with disabilities; and School Board Policy related to the education of students with disabilities. Ability to manage internal or external resources providing services to students with disabilities in all program areas under Georgia State Rules. Directly and indirectly insure there are appropriate assessment, placement and compliance according to state and federal guidelines; and monitor administration of special programs in schools.

Work Experience:

At least five years teaching and/or providing technical assistance serving students with disabilities across a range of ages and settings.

Under direction of the Director (or Coordinator) of Special Education Services, assist with the planning, coordinating, and implementing the School-Based Special Education Services. Responsible for managing the special education services for school-aged students with disabilities in Grades PK-12 to ensure the provision of a Free and Appropriate Public Education.

Serves as the liaison between central office, the Department of Special Education Services and school-based administrators on issues related to special education staffing and programming.

Monitors the provision of a free appropriate education in the least restrictive environment based on an individualized education program for each student with disabilities served.

Assists with improving instruction in schools through the provision of well-designed curriculum, high quality instructional materials, and the identification of effective instructional practices, including implementation of the Georgia Performance Standards and Richmond County School System (RCSS) curriculum and special curricula.

Assists general and special education staff with the implementation of effective instruction program.

Increases support for effective school program implementation and improved classroom instruction through coordinated efforts with system level and school-based administrators and specialists.

Achieves goals that may be outlined in various reports, strategic plan or audit.

Establishes partnerships among general and special educators, parents, other government agencies, the community, and the business sector to promote the success of students with disabilities in all aspects of RCSS and the community.

Assures a high quality of support to schools and special centers, including the coordination, planning, monitoring of services.

Assists with design, implementation, and evaluation of the programs and services.

Monitors and provide feedback regarding programs for students with disabilities throughout RCSS.

Assists RCSS and school with meeting the requirements set by federal and state legislation for educating children and youth with disabilities.

Remains knowledgeable regarding ongoing and new program development.

Reviews recent literature and research studies and reports.

Keeps abreast of local, state, and national developments in order to affect changes in operation as necessitated by current changes in society, business, education, etc.

Communicates with staff and community and responds to concerns about the instructional programs, facilities plans, and training programs.

Assists other instructional departments in conducting research and evaluation studies related to the instructional program.

Identifies in-service needs, plans, and coordinates staff training programs designed to assist administrators and teachers in implementing instructional programs.

Participates in the selection, assignment, and observation of staff.

Provides assistance in the preparation of an annual departmental operating budget with such supporting data as are necessary for clarification to the superintendent of schools and to the Board of Education.

Provides school and system level support for analyzing discipline data and identifying effective strategies

Works with special education department chairs/liaisons on compliance issues

Ensures compliance with State Rules on the identification and placement of students with disabilities.

Assists in the preparation of special reports

Ensures all students with disabilities have access to g

The employee shall carry out such other and further duties, whether specifically listed above or not, as are assigned or laws, board policy, administrative regulation, department handbook, as are reasonably necessary to the efficient operation of the school system and its mission.

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, and sit.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to occasionally attend evening and weekend meetings as required. Provide assistance, guidance and support with assessment of students.

EVALUATION:

Conducted annually based on the policy of the Richmond County Board of Education

Date Established: 11/2008

Date(s) Revised: 02/2009

This description may be changed at any time. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instruction and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Board. Richmond County Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.

Shift Type

Full-Time

Salary Range

School Year

Location

Special Education Department

Applications Accepted

Start Date

03/16/2023

Company info

Richmond County School District