Student Services Specialist: Elementary School

Duties 2026 - 2027 School Year • Full Time • Student Services Specialist: Elementary Description: The Student Services Specialist exhibits leadership, managerial and supervisory competencies aimed at fostering individual student learning. With their specialized educational background, the Student Services Specialist will support increased student growth and outcomes for students with disabilities. Furthermore, the Student Services Specialist role oversees special services programs and offerings, disseminates information and acts as a resource for others. The role aims to attain specific objectives by strategizing, assessing, enhancing, executing, and sustaining services in accordance with Federal and State Special Education laws. The individual in this position oversees the delivery of instruction and identified programming based on individual student needs and will have a targeted focus on special education subgroups as identified in the Illinois State Summative designation. Essential Functions: Provides direct support and tools for students with disabilities. Works with special education teachers to support instruction in classrooms to increase student achievement. Ensures academic and behavioral support for students with disabilities occur within a timely manner and a continuum of services is available to all students. Verifies appropriate delivery of both special education instruction and related services as stipulated on IEPs/504 plans. Supports IEP meetings as one of the school's LEA (local education agency) including initial evaluation. This includes coordinating with the student's special education team to ensure all documents are completed in a timely manner according to state, local, and school policies and procedures. Aligns IEP procedures and services to the District vision, mission and goals for student learning. IEPs should be developmentally appropriate, curriculum/standards-based, strength-based and relevant to individual students. Manages and oversees MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) Academic and Behavioral within the school building. Collects and analyzes data for student achievement and program effectiveness. Observes students and classrooms to make recommendations. Monitors and assists special education staff in the adaptation and evaluation of instructional materials and curriculum. Maintains confidentiality of student records and student information. Facilitates transition meetings as needed. Consults and relays information to district, staff and parents regarding reasonable accommodation and behavior management, strategies within the special education and general education setting Assists student services personnel in the improvement and updating of methods, materials, and techniques for his/her professional area Participates in due process activities as needed. Oversees the child find process. Supports and participates in discipline training (both district delivered and building offered) Creates professional development and training sessions in collaboration with the building principal, the administrative team and the district to benefit the professional practice of all certified and non-certified staff. This includes but is not limited to education services related topics and strategies aligned to the Strategic Plan. Works in collaboration with the building administration to hire and train certified special education teachers and paraprofessionals. Follows district defined timelines for the evaluation process of certified special education staff and paraprofessionals. Establishes and maintains effective school, community and family partnerships by providing ongoing communication regarding special education and student service programs. This includes effectively communicating to parents and guardians the special education process including process for referrals, evaluation, annual IEPs/504 plans, and re-evaluations as well as parent rights granted by IDEA. Co-coordinates the Extended School Year program Attends training sessions, conferences, seminars, department and district meetings Serves on district committees, task forces, work groups, etc. as requested Stays up-to-date with evolving developments, trends, instructional methods and educational technologies Additional Duties: Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal, Superintendent and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent. Disclaimer: The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Qualifications Qualifications: Certification: A Bachelor's Degree in special education or a related field Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a General Administrative Endorsement/license Minimum of five years teaching and/or administrative experiences RESPONSIBILITY FOR DIRECT SUPERVISION OF THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and ethical standards for Special education programs and the IEP process; the relevant state and federal laws, rules and regulations; and applicable district policies. Working knowledge of District 300's mission, vision, strategic plan and core values and beliefs preferred. Working knowledge of the District 300 IEP processes and related policies preferred. Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of individuals, ranging from employees to parents of students. Ability to deal effectively and appropriately with students, parents and other educational professionals regarding student academic and behavioral supports. Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Ability to be flexible and prioritize activities for the benefit of students. Ability to consult with school personnel in developing, implementing and supporting special education staff with social skills lessons and activities for students. Ability to travel between and among school sites throughout the District and to students' homes, as necessary. Experience in the development and implementation of individual education plans related to appropriate goals and benchmarks. Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with administrators, faculty, staff, students and external entities to raise academic performance. Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-performing, and at times, unpredictable environment. Demonstrate strong work ethic, accept responsibility, and the ability to be self-motivated. Ability to take the initiative to resolve problems without direction Ability to process large amounts of information and organize the information to present it to various individuals who do not possess firsthand knowledge of the situation Ability to work well with other people in a team oriented environment Ability to analyze and interpret data for decision making Ability to incorporate and translate organizational and department missions into day-to-day practices Ability to effectively lead a group of people in day-to-day activities, contributing to the accomplishment of organization and department goals Ability to review and analyze assessment data collected by the District and Illinois State Board of Education Ability to make tough decisions and support principals in making tough decisions Ability to develop and implement behavior intervention plans, classroom management systems, and reinforcement systems. Ability to use effective instructional strategies and techniques. Ability to develop and provide training related to effective practices in all school settings Additional Notes Salary and benefits: 261 days, including paid legal holidays 25 Vacation days 12 sick days 2 personal days Monthly mileage stipend of $150 Medical, dental, optical insurance-employee choice of high deductible PPO/HSA, PPO or HMO Life insurance Doctoral tuition reimbursement Salary Range: $105,672 - $112,141 Performance Evaluation/Accountability: Performance evaluated annually in accordance with Illinois School Code and D300 Administrative Procedures #J-18808-Ljbffr