District 504 Coordinator

District Section 504 Coordinator

The District Section 504 Coordinator oversees the identification, evaluation, and provision of services for students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) across all LISA Academy campuses. This position ensures district wide compliance with federal civil-rights obligations, standardizes 504 processes, trains campus staff, and safeguards the rights of eligible students to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment.

Compliance & Oversight

• Serve as the district's designated Section 504/ADA compliance coordinator, ensuring adherence to all federal, state, and local requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain district wide policies, procedures, forms, and timelines governing 504 referral, evaluation, eligibility, and plan development.
• Monitor campus-level 504 practices for consistency and legal compliance, conducting periodic file audits and corrective follow-up.
• Maintain accurate district wide records and prepare compliance reports for district leadership and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as required.

Student Services & Evaluation

• Guide campus 504 designees through the evaluation process, ensuring appropriate data sources are considered in eligibility determinations.
• Ensure 504 plans include appropriate accommodations, are reviewed at least annually, and are implemented with fidelity across classrooms and assessments.
• Coordinate the distinction and, where appropriate, the transition between Section 504 and IDEA/special education services.
• Oversee accommodation provisions for state and district assessments in coordination with the district testing coordinator.

Training & Support

• Design and deliver professional development for administrators, teachers, counselors, and campus 504 designees on 504 rights, responsibilities, and procedures.
• Serve as the primary resource for staff and families regarding Section 504 questions, procedural safeguards, and dispute resolution.
• Provide guidance on the intersection of 504 with health plans, behavior supports, and RTI processes.

Family Engagement & Procedural Safeguards

• Ensure parents and guardians receive required notices of rights and procedural safeguards.
• Facilitate the resolution of 504 grievances and coordinate responses to complaints, including those involving the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (master's degree in education, special education, counseling, or a related field preferred).
• Valid Arkansas educator or administrator license (or ability to obtain).
• Minimum of three years of experience in K–12 education, with demonstrated knowledge of Section 504, ADA, and IDEA.
• Working knowledge of federal disability civil-rights law and Arkansas DESE requirements.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to manage compliance timelines across multiple campuses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a 504 coordinator, special education administrator, or compliance officer.
• Experience with data systems, file auditing, and reporting tools.
• Experience serving diverse student populations.

LISA Academy Public Charter Schools is an equal opportunity employer. This description reflects the general nature of the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may be modified at the discretion of district leadership.