Special Education PreK Specialist

Special Education PreK Specialist

Pelham City Schools Board Of Education Job Description

Job Title:

Special Education PreK Specialist

Qualifications:

1. Master's degree in Special Education or related field preferred.

2. Valid Alabama certification in Special Education or Instructional Leadership preferred.

3. Minimum of five years of successful experience as a teacher in Special Education.

4. Demonstrated

Required:

• Master's degree in Special Education, School Psychology, Educational Diagnostician, or related field
• Valid state certification/licensure as required
• Minimum of three years of successful experience in special education or early childhood education
• Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, and state special education regulations
• Experience administering standardized developmental assessments

Preferred:

• Experience in preschool special education
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary evaluations
• Training in autism, behavior, and early childhood assessment

5. Experience in planning and delivering professional development for educators.

6. Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.

7. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Reports To:

Special Education Director and Special Education Program Specialist

Job Goal:

The Preschool Special Education Specialist/Diagnostician coordinates Child Find activities, conducts comprehensive evaluations, determines eligibility for preschool special education services, supports the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and provides leadership in early childhood special education. The position serves as a liaison among families, educators, community agencies, and service providers to ensure high-quality services for preschool-aged children with disabilities. The Preschool Special Education Specialist/Diagnostician coordinates the district's preschool referral process by managing all referrals from initial intake through evaluation, eligibility determination, Individualized Education Program (IEP) development, placement, implementation of services, and transition into preschool programming while ensuring compliance with federal and Alabama special education regulations.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Serve as the district coordinator for all preschool special education referrals.
• Receive and manage referrals from the Alabama Early Intervention System (AEIS), Child Find, physicians, community agencies, childcare providers, Head Start, First Class Pre-K, and parents.
• Coordinate intake meetings with families. Serve as the primary liaison between families and district personnel throughout the referral process.
• Review referral documentation and developmental records.
• Obtain informed parental consent for evaluations.
• Establish evaluation timelines in accordance with IDEA and Alabama Administrative Code. Ensure compliance with all procedural safeguards.
• Maintain accurate referral and intake records.
• Coordinate transition conferences with Alabama Early Intervention (AEIS) providers.
• Ensure evaluations are completed before the child's third birthday whenever possible.
• Coordinate eligibility meetings.
• Facilitate development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) within required timelines.
• Coordinate placement and initiation of services immediately following IEP implementation. Ensure a smooth transition for children entering district preschool programs.
• Maintain district tracking systems for referrals, evaluations, eligibility, IEP development, and placement. Prepare reports regarding referral activity, evaluation timelines, Child Find efforts, and compliance indicators.
• Coordinate communication among evaluation team members, service providers, administrators, and families.
• Resolve barriers that may delay evaluations or services.

Professional Development:

• Provide training to preschool staff on special education practices.
• Present professional learning on child development, intervention strategies, and compliance.
• Remain current on legal requirements and evidence-based practices.

Other Duties:

• Attend required meetings and professional development.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education.

Terms Of Employment:

9-month contract. Salary according to the current schedule. Exempt employee.

The Pelham City Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Board approved:
July 27, 2026