Special Education Administrative Support Specialist - Specialized Student Services

Clerical Support For Special Education Department

Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.

East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Base Hourly: $17.78

Class/Calendar: A13, 9.25 months

Benefits: Sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay: Available annually

New Hire Experience: 1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a ten-year maximum

New Hire Education: 1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary:

To perform a variety of clerical tasks following standardized procedures for high school Special Education department in support of their positions; and to contribute to the efficient operation of the work unit.

Key Responsibilities:

• Utilize SynergySE in order to create documents, input information, and generate reports.
• Monitor timelines and assist with clerical tasks for referrals, evaluations, re-evaluations, annual reviews, etc.
• Develop and maintain a master schedule of special education-related meetings
• Arrange and schedule special education conferences such as IEP and MET meetings
• Communicate with parents via telephone or email to arrange meetings and follow up on return of documents.
• Keep a log documenting all parent and teacher contacts
• Arrange for interpreters when needed for meetings
• Direct parent questions and concerns to the appropriate team member
• Keep the department informed of scheduled meetings
• Complete all forms, including the IEP Compliance Checklist, correctly and in a timely manner
• Make copies of all forms, letters, and other relevant information. Maintain complete and accurate files for all students in the initial evaluation/re-evaluation process
• Submit required documentation to the Special Education Records Department
• Assist and support the special education staff with other tasks as assigned by the principal, department chair, speech/language pathologist (SLP), and/or psychologist

Required Qualifications:

• High School education or equivalent
• Moderate proficiency in typing with good accuracy
• Computer proficiency to include use of basic software applications (Word, Excel, etc.)
• Ability to operate standard office equipment
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and work with frequent interruptions and minimum supervision
• Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with students, parents, district personnel of all levels and general public; to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with students, parents and district personnel of all levels

Skills & Competencies:

• Knowledge of Synergy, Google Suite, and other applications necessary for the position.
• Computer skills in the use of standard programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel; a willingness to learn Synergy SE; Google Calendar; and other computer applications necessary to the position
• Organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and requests from multiple professionals
• Effective written and oral communication skills necessary to deal with parents and school staff
• Effective customer service
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Office-based setting, often within a school district's special education department
• Frequent interaction with school administrators, teachers, parents, and special education staff
• May occasionally visit schools to support special education programs or attend meetings
• Fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines and tasks requiring organization and multitasking
• Light lifting (up to 25 pounds), such as handling files, office supplies, or educational materials

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.