Early Childhood Program Specialist
About the Employer
Exceptional Children's Program Specialist
Job Summary
Job Title (for context): exceptional children program specialist
Nature of Work
Under limited supervision, performs a variety of professional work to assist in the coordination of activities of the exceptional children's department. Work involves function as a consultant to schools and ensuring the implementation of required policies and procedures affecting students with disabilities. Employee is responsible for reviewing required EC forms and paperwork to help determine eligibility and placement of students with disabilities. Work is guided by and must be in compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations. Employee must exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative in the performance of assignments.
Duties and Responsibilities
Assuring Compliance
Assist in assuring compliance with state/federal rules and regulations in assigned schools.
Building Level IEP Meetings
Attend building level IEP meetings, as needed.
Administrator Support
Assist in building level administrators in resolving issues relating to the delivery of special education services.
Technical Assistance
Provide technical assistance to special education classroom teachers in developing appropriate IEPs, structuring/organizing classrooms, developing behavior management plans, etc.
Mentorship
As appropriate, act as a mentor to ‘initially licensed’ special education teachers.
Student Observations
Conduct student observations required for eligibility determination and transitions, as needed.
Staff Development
Upon request, schedule/conduct staff development activities/audits.
LEA Representative
Act as LEA representative, as determined appropriate.
Consultation
Consult with parents, teachers, service providers, and regarding implementation of IEP local agencies.
Regional Meetings
Attend regional meetings, as needed.
Program Support
Respond to calls and correspondence regarding all programs and services offered by the EC department.
Special Education Liaison
Function as special education liaison for assigned schools.
Random Moment in Time Studies
Completes random moment in time studies as required by MAC program guidelines.
Other Work
Perform other related work as required.
Minimum Training and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in education, or a related field and at least 5 years of successful teaching experience with students that have disabilities; or any combination of training and experience which provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Essential Job Functions
Physical Requirements
Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including computers, copiers, etc.
Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle.
Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
Data Analysis
Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Communication
Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving and receiving instructions, assignments, and/or directions.
Reading and Writing
Requires the ability to read correspondence, reports, forms, statutes, regulations, procedures, etc.
Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, policies, etc., using prescribed formats.
Problem-Solving
Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.
Record-Keeping
Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in standard English.
Mathematical Skills
Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages.
Interpersonal Skills
Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Federal and State Statutes
Considerable knowledge of federal and state statutes and regulations regarding provision of services to students with disabilities.
County and School Board Policies
Considerable knowledge of the county and school board policies, procedures, and standards regarding exceptional children education.
Ethical Guidelines
General knowledge of the ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional organizations and/or federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
North Carolina Course of Study
General knowledge of the North Carolina course of study.
Communication Skills
Skill in oral and written communication.
Consultative Services
Skill in providing consultative services to school staff.
Program Evaluation
Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and make recommendations for improvement.
Diversity and Collaboration
Ability to work and communicate with diverse groups and organizations.
Independent Judgment
Ability to exercise independent judgment in determining eligibility, type of services to be provided, and placement of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.
Presentation Skills
Ability to develop and conduct presentations.
Office Software
Ability to use common office machines and popular computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, and file maintenance programs.
Record-Keeping
Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and statistics and to develop meaningful reports from the information.
Communication Skills
Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
Working Relationships
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Reports to: Director of Exceptional Children
Disclaimer
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform this job.