Student Services Specialist: Preschool - Grade 12

Student Services Specialist:
Preschool - Grade 12

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 role oversees special services programs and offerings, disseminates information, and acts as a resource for others. 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.

• 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.

Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal, Superintendent and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.