Special Education Consultant
About the Employer
Special Education Consultant
Job Summary
The Special Education Consultant serves as a non-supervisory instructional support professional responsible for coordinating and enhancing special education programs and services across the district. The position provides guidance, training, and ongoing support to special education teachers and staff to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, effective implementation of IEPs, and the delivery of high-quality instruction and inclusive practices for students with disabilities.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Coordinate Instructional Materials and Support
Coordinate the selection, inventory, ordering, and distribution of instructional and curriculum materials for special education programs. Remain informed regarding curriculum development, instructional practices, and special education programming, and provide guidance to staff as appropriate.
Collaborate with District Departments
Collaborate with district departments, principals, and support personnel to support district-wide educational objectives and student success.
Liaison among Instructional Personnel
Serve as a liaison among instructional personnel within the special education department.
Meetings and Communication
Facilitate and coordinate meetings for special education teachers and support staff. Work collaboratively with principals and building support staff to address student needs, scheduling, and program implementation.
Coaching and Feedback
Provide guidance, coaching, and corrective feedback to special education teachers regarding procedural compliance and quality implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs).
Progress Monitoring and Data Analysis
Support teachers in the development and implementation of progress monitoring systems to document student achievement of IEP goals. Analyze student achievement and program data to support instructional decision-making and program effectiveness.
Program Organization and Support
Provide building administrators with information related to special education program organization, staffing, scheduling, and student needs. Assist teachers with master scheduling, student scheduling, IEP timelines, and programming for newly enrolled students.
Planning and Programming
Assist in planning and programming for the upcoming school year, including staffing and service delivery considerations. Support early intervention (EI) transition planning by attending meetings, conducting observations, coordinating services, and assisting with IEP development for incoming students.
Extended School Year (ESY) Coordination
Coordinate extended school year (ESY) determination, programming, staffing, and organization.
Graduation Planning and Transition Programming
Assist with graduation planning, transition programming, and specialized transportation coordination for students with disabilities.
Training and Professional Development
Provide training, professional development, and on-site instructional support to teachers and support staff regarding instructional strategies, curriculum resources, inclusive practices, and differentiated instruction.
Orientation and Induction
Assist with orientation, induction, and ongoing support for new special education teachers and support staff.
Communication of Concerns
Communicate student, parent, teacher, or administrative concerns that may result in a denial of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to the Supervisor of Special Education and assist in resolving concerns appropriately.
Meetings and Data Analysis
Attend IEP meetings, multidisciplinary evaluation (MDE) meetings, and other meetings as assigned, including complex or potentially legal situations at the request of administration. Coordinate IEP development and transition services for newly identified students, transfer students with existing IEPs, and out-of-district students attending district programs.
Targeted Instructional Support
Provide targeted instructional and programmatic assistance to special education teachers as requested by administration.
Communication and Representation
Meet regularly with special education teachers by grade level and program area to provide support and facilitate communication. Represent the special education department on district committees and collaborative teams as requested by district administration.
Assessment Planning and Implementation
Assist with planning and implementation of state and local assessments for students receiving special education services.
Electronic Systems Management
Manage and maintain department electronic systems, shared resources, and collaborative platforms, including Google Classroom and related digital tools.
Professional Development Coordination
Collaborate with department administration to identify instructional materials, research-based practices, and professional development opportunities to meet student needs.
Departmental Meetings and Communication
Coordinate departmental meetings and communication among teachers and support staff in collaboration with department administration.
LEA Representative
Serve as the Local Education Agency (LEA) representative for IEP meetings in the absence of building administrators.
Temporary Case Management
Provide temporary case management support for designated classrooms during extended teacher absences.
Other Duties
Perform all other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
Qualifications
Pennsylvania Department of Education certification in Special Education PK-12 required
Submission of pre-employment medical examination
Submission of the following clearances:
Pennsylvania State Criminal History Record Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History ClearancesFederal Background Check (fingerprints)
Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable