SPED Coordinator- Eligible

Walpole, 399 Lincoln Road, Walpole, MA 02081, USA

This position is eligible for an up to $5000 bonus!

Position Description

Clifford Academy is a small, therapeutic school with an enrollment of up to 48 students that receive special education services as indicated in their IEPs. The Special Education Coordinator (SEC) is an important administrative position that works with public, sending‑school districts and guardians to ensure services are in place to support student educational progress.

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Education and Principal, the SEC is responsible for implementing and managing compliant, high‑quality special education services for students. An important function of the SEC role includes ensuring compliance with established DESE policies, procedures and/or regulations.

• Managing and facilitating the school’s special education program and services
• Constructing and communicating individual education plans (IEPs) and co‑facilitating (with districts) IEP meetings
• Acting as a liaison between the school and collateral stakeholders associated with student educational teams and serving as a resource of information regarding special education programs and services.

• Ensures IEPs meet all regulatory standards, written to reflect best practice, reflect high quality programming and are implemented and documented with integrity.
• Collaborates with districts and guardians in the development of Individual Education Programs.
• Works with building‑based teams to develop and implement efficient and effective service delivery models reflecting best practices.
• Facilitates meetings that range in purpose including evaluating situations, identifying appropriate actions, developing recommendations and/or implementing desired program changes.
• Manages assigned programs and/or services for the purpose of achieving outcomes in relation to program objectives.
• Facilitates the intake process of new students enrolling at the school.
• Regarding IEP goals and meetings, supervises a small number of service providers, e.g., the speech and language pathologist and the occupational therapist.
• Has knowledge of effective instructional practices associated with accommodations and modifications.
• Manages challenging cases, by maintaining effective guardian, staff, advocate and outside evaluator communications.
• Collaborates with school staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and coordination of practices across the school and agency.
• Functions as the Clifford point of contact for student education services.
• Responds to urgent issues promptly, e.g., guardian and/or outside collateral concerns.
• Maintains complete up‑to‑date records of students' progress.
• On a student‑by‑student basis, facilitates delivery of special education services such as occupational therapy, speech, health education, and psychological and social work services.
• Performs other school duties as assigned.

• Valid Massachusetts license as Special Education Administrator required.
• Bachelor's degree in the appropriate discipline or in educational leadership. Master's degree desired.
• Prior experience as a special education director preferred.
• Demonstrated skills in organizational development, planning, decision‑making, and interpersonal and community relations.
• Depth of knowledge regarding special education laws, regulations, processes and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal and written/oral communication skills enabling information sharing and the development of trusting relationships with guardians, staff, students, outside evaluators, advocates, and administrators.
• Skill in interpreting assessments and determining educational interventions in response to a student.
• Demonstrated skill in meeting facilitation, case management, communication and pedagogy.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage the special education referral and team process.
• Experience supervising and evaluating staff.
• Teaching or other special education service skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Computer proficiency and adaptability across various Microsoft applications and…