Exceptional Children Program Specialist- Special Programs
Reports To:
Executive Director of Exceptional Children's Programs
Terms of Employment:
12 months
Salary:
State Salary Schedule with Local Supplement
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Job Goal:
Under general supervision, performs various professional tasks to coordinate activities such as Exceptional Children's Services for Orange County Schools, explicitly focusing on extended content standards. The purpose of this position is to assist schools and teachers with understanding and supporting students with disabilities while coaching school staff in the development of lesson plans, data collection systems, and IEP development.
The work involves consulting with schools and parents, providing leadership in programming for students with significant cognitive disabilities, and working on the extended content standards to produce positive growth in achievement for students with disabilities. The Program Specialist will guide IEP teams in developing individualized educational programs aligned with the extended content standards and evidence-based practices for students with significant cognitive disabilities, ensuring appropriate and meaningful access to standards.
Additionally, the Program Specialist will be able to guide IEP teams in implementing required policies and procedures affecting Students with Disabilities and assist with addressing the impact of federal statutory and state requirements on procedural and instructional accountability.
Qualifications:
Hold a Bachelor's degree in Special Education or a related field (required)
Hold Master's degree in Special Education, preferred
Experience related to Multi-tier System of Supports
Minimum 5 years of teaching experience, with a focus on students with significant cognitive disabilities
Essential Job Functions:
Coach and consult school personnel on instructional strategies and support students working on the extended content standards.
Support the development and implementation of Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) tailored to meet the needs of students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Attend IEP meetings as needed to provide expertise on aligning goals and services with the extended content standards.
Conduct classroom observations and provide feedback regarding strategies, interventions, and modifications that ensure meaningful access to the extended content standards.
Assist school teams in designing and implementing evidence-based/research-based instructional practices for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Collaborate with staff to establish effective systems for monitoring progress on IEP-goals aligned with extended content standards, including collecting and analyzing data.
Provide professional development and training to school staff on extended content standards and best practices for teaching students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Serve as a resource to school teams by modeling effective instructional practices and strategies for differentiation.
Participate in curriculum development efforts to ensure alignment with extended content standards and compliance with state and federal regulations.
Support district initiatives by auditing special education files, ensuring compliance, and providing follow-up professional development.
Attend professional development and stay current on evidence-based practices for supporting students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Attend professional development, as required.
Perform other duties as deemed necessary by your supervisor.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
Provides, as requested, professional development to school-based staff on a variety of topics
Physical and Cognitive Requirements:
Must be able to exert negligible force to move objects; classification consistent with light work. Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI) certification training may require that you physically restrain or assist with the physical restraint of a student who is at imminent risk of harming themself or others. Note: Physical restraint for any student is only a last resort.