Director of SPED

Job Description

Job Description

Celebrating 25 years as an anchor institution in the North Lawndale Community, North Lawndale College Prep (NLCP) is doubling down on its mission to not only empower students with the tools needed to successfully make it to and through college but to also become transformational leaders.

At the heart of NLCP's strong community is our commitment to five core employee values that guide the work we do and prepare us to serve students in transformational ways: trustworthiness, timeliness, teamwork, transparency, and trauma-informed. We believe that centering these values and continually growing and improving how they are practiced helps staff members build a safe and supportive environment for both students and fellow staff.

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• $50K Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability (Employer Paid)
• Long-Term Disability (Employer Paid)
• Accident Insurance (Employer Paid)
• Voluntary LifeLock Identity Theft Protection
• Additional Voluntary Benefits (Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness)
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Paid Time Off
• Stipend

Position Summary: The Director of SPED is responsible for overseeing the individualized education program (IEP) process for students with disabilities, coordinating services, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. This role involves working closely with students, parents, teachers, and related service providers to develop, implement, and monitor educational plans that meet each student's unique needs.

Key Responsibilities:

1. IEP Development and Implementation:

• Lead the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities.
• Ensure that IEP goals and objectives are aligned with student needs, strengths, and educational standards.
• Facilitate IEP meetings with parents, teachers, and service providers.

Case Management:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for students on the caseload, monitoring their progress and adjusting plans as needed.
• Coordinate services with general education teachers, special education staff, and related service providers (e.g., speech therapists, occupational therapists, counselors).
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of student progress, communications, and IEP documentation.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians about student progress, challenges, and any changes to the educational plan.
• Collaborate with school staff to provide support and resources for students with disabilities in the general education setting.
• Act as a liaison between the school, families, and outside agencies involved in the student's education.

Compliance and Documentation:

• Ensure that all IEPs and related documents are in compliance with state and federal special education laws and regulations (e.g., IDEA, Section 504).
• Prepare reports and maintain documentation for audits and reviews by school districts or regulatory agencies.
• Manage timelines for evaluations, re-evaluations, and annual IEP reviews.

Training and Support:

• Provide training and support to teachers and staff on special education procedures, instructional strategies, and accommodations.
• Assist in developing and implementing strategies for differentiated instruction and behavior management.

Assessment and Evaluation:

• Conduct or coordinate assessments to determine eligibility for special education services.
• Monitor student performance and assess the effectiveness of the interventions and accommodations provided.
• Use data to make informed decisions about student needs and educational programming.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Special Education or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• A valid Professional Educator License (PEL) in one of the following areas: Special Education (PK-Age 21) endorsement or School Support Personnel endorsement with a supervisory endorsement.
• 5 or more years of experience in special education, case management, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of special education laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of educators, parents, and service providers.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with students, parents, and staff.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills to manage multiple cases and deadlines.
• Ability to adapt and modify strategies to meet the individual needs of students.
• Knowledge of assistive technology and other tools to support students with disabilities.
• Proficiency in data analysis and the use of educational software.
• Good level of proficiency in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Drive) and general computer applications.

Work Schedule

Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, full-time schedule based on the school calendar.

Work Environment:

• Typically works in a school setting, interacting with students, teachers, and support staff.