Coordinator of Special Programs

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Coordinator of Special Programs is a 12-month leadership position that is an active member of the district special education, and teaching and learning leadership teams. The leader will oversee all special education specialized programs in the district inclusive of RISE (Autism) Program, the Foundations Program, Life Centered Career Education Pathway, and L.I.F.E. 18-21 Program. The leader will also work closely with school and district leaders to ensure meaningful inclusion opportunities, as well as transitioning planning and support for LRE.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following information is intended to describe the overall nature and scope of the work being performed in relation to the position. This is not a comprehensive listing of all the responsibilities or tasks; other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate:

• Ob serve and monitor staff according to district expectations
• Collaborate with the Director of Inclusive Education, School and District Administrators and Leaders in Special Education to lead the program initiatives and core expectations
• Facilitate training, instruction and appropriate programming, services and specialized instruction for students being served in special programs within the District
• Work with a team to lead and conduct RFP requirements when appropriate
• Confer with teachers and contractors to provide technical assistance for improvement of instructional skills and behavior management
• On a regular basis, consult with contractors and teaching staff to assure that specific needs of the student are met. Provide and lead consultative assistance, in conjunction with assigned special education teachers, to regular education teachers serving students with disabilities
• Implement policies and procedures of the DE Administrative Code and the local operational plan for Special Education. Work in conjunction with the Teaching and Learning team to carry out the District's Strategic Plan and curricular initiatives
• Serve as a resource person and provide support/technical assistance regarding alternative special education issues to building principals, general and special education teachers, and related service staff
• Coordinate summer school programming for students with 12-month programming.
• Oversee the district-wide Autism programming RISE (Reaching Independence Through Structured Education) program
• Provide leadership of grade level instruction in a multi-grade classroom, with the support of behavior interventionists, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA), and other related services. In addition to the academic common-core curriculum, the foundation of the program is centered on applied behavior analysis (ABA), verbal behavior milestones assessment and placement program (VB-MAPP), and other classroom components including but not limited to: Task Box Systems, Individual Visual Schedules, Individual Communication Systems, and Embedded Social Skills
• Lead the program initiatives as the district expands its programming, while providing support and leadership to building administrators, teachers of autism, BCBAs and other related services staff
• Ensure the implementation of the policies and procedures of the district and the Special Education Regulations included in Delaware’s Administrative Code
• Maintains current Safety-Care certification, and de-escalation techniques
• Collaborate with administration, specialists and teachers to design and support district-wide programming for students with Autism, moderate to severe cognitive disabilities and behavioral challenges
• Provide professional development and assess district needs for autism and specialize programming, specially designed instruction and support services
• Participate in IEP meetings
• Conduct ongoing fidelity checks regarding the implementation of behavior support plans. Support staff with writing measurable and observable behavior IEP goals
• Lead staff with monitoring progress through the structuring, collection and analysis of data. Communicate with and support administration/staff with the implementation of Positive Behavior Supports, behavioral services, and accommodations
• Serve as an integral and active member of the district Peer Review Committee
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth, and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work
• Other Duties as assigned by the Director of Educational Resources

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Below are the qualifications for this position:

• Masters in Special Education, School Administration or related field
• Certification in Autism, Severe Disabilities, Related Services or related fields
• Eligible for State of Delaware Administration Certification, preferred
• Knowledgeable of all IDEA guidelines, excellent communication, organizational, and computer skills
• Knowledge of DLM standards and Specially Designed Instruction, Service Aid and Modifications, and inclusive practices
• Working knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis
• Knowledge of best practices in Autism and Inclusion
• Ability to lead a specialized program targeting students with therapeutic and academic needs.
• Ability to work with contracted services to maintain efficiency and specially designed instruction within a specialized setting
• Ability to work in collaboration with building administrations to carry out the mission of the school’s motto, and principles of instruction
• 3 – 5 years leadership experience at the school or district level
• Criminal background check, tuberculin testing, and health verification

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this position:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly talking, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. The employee must possess normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall and apply certain practices and policies. Frequently sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The work of this class is generally performed in a school environment. Work may require the ability to move around the school and classroom.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• All persons employed by the Appoquinimink School District are required to submit a criminal background check and a tuberculosis test.
• Anyone offered employment is required to provide the following: proper identification (Social Security Card and Driver’s License), documentation of eligibility for employment in the U.S.A., completion of I-9 form, and completion of paperwork for the Delaware Child Protection Registry.

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS DISCLOSURE
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Appoquinimink School District is required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship. Qualified employees must have the requisite skills, experience, education, and licenses for the job, and must also be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations.

NONDISCRIMINATION DISCLOSURE
The Appoquinimink School District is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its educational programs, services, and activities for all students and employees. The Appoquinimink School District does not discriminate or retaliate in the hiring, training, assignment, promotion/transfer of employees on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, domicile, marital status, handicap, or any other characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

EVALUATION
Job performance will be evaluated by the Director of Educational Resources.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Visit us at https://www.applitrack.com/apposchooldistrict/onlineapp/
• Locate job of interest
• Select apply
• Create a username and password to complete the application. Please keep track of this information so that you will be able to log in and edit or review any applications you submit.