Special Education - Evaluation Team Leader (Etl)

The vision of each of the Fitchburg Public Schools is to provide learning experiences that engage all students in achieving high academic standards while developing intellectual rigor, creative interest, and social characteristics that prepare them for the challenges of living successfully and productively as citizens of this new century.

Job Details

The Evaluation Team Leader (ETL) is an employee of the Fitchburg Public Schools designated by the Superintendent of Schools and supervised by the Director of Special Education, Building Principal, and/or SPSA. The ETL shall be responsible for the special education process and procedures for students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and all DESE Special education regulations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university; Master's Degree preferred;

• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary license in at least one of these area(s):

• Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities PreK-8*; 5-12* OR

• Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, ALL levels

• *dependent on the grade level assignment

• SEI Endorsement

• Knowledge of current education legislation/regulations including the Team evaluation process, IDEA, and 603 CMR 28.00 and Early Childhood;

• Minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience in Special Education

• Ability to work effectively with teachers, support staff, and parents and advocate for children to problem-solve effectively;

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and ability to work with all stakeholders;

• Belief in the commitment to increasing personal growth, both academic and social-emotional, to obtain the highest level of achievement for every student;

• Knowledge and skills with technology (Google Suite) and IEP software (Aspen X2);

• Applicants who are bilingual are encouraged to apply

• FPS is home to more than 100 languages. We are dedicated to supporting all families and students. Our most common languages other than English are Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Hmong.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

The Evaluation Team Leader will:

• Assume responsibility for the coordination of the evaluation team process. This includes but is not limited to;

• coordinating and completing comprehensive evaluations,

• coordinating and collating overall evaluation data,

• scheduling and chairing Team meetings, processing IEPs within required timelines,

• contacting parents,

• coordinating with the community early childhood programs in the local area,

• processing required forms,

• ensuring families and staff have copies of evaluations before team meetings.

• Oversee all IEP paperwork for all incoming initials and maintain organized and complete files;

• Maintain electronic tracking logs, schedules, and calendars;

• Maintain compliance and stay current with all special education regulations;

• Provide communication to parents/guardians of their rights to due process under IDEA and ensure that the spirit of the intent of IDEA is fulfilled; provide parental safeguards and document such;

• Build and maintain collaborative and communicative relationships with families;

• Respond to all emails and phone communications within 2 days of receipt;

• Chair Team meetings in assigned buildings ensuring timelines are met;

• Oversee all initial, re-evaluations and annual review timelines with Liaisons;

• Communicate regularly with teachers, parents/guardians, outside providers, related service providers, and principals; keep staff informed of special education student needs;

• Ensure all appropriate staff and schools receive accepted IEPs and communicate to building SPSAs when a student is assigned;

• Ensure all appropriate staff are informed of rejections and partial rejections and fully understand details within (consented services/implementation dates etc) and complete any necessary follow-up;

• Immediately inform SPSA of any IEE, rejection requests, or OOD requests;

• Provide in-service training to professionals/parents and early childhood providers when requested;

• Ensure students are educated in the least restrictive setting;

• Work diligently to resolve all conflicts; participate in mediations and BSEA processes;

• Act as a liaison with community agencies (DDS/DMH/DCF etc);

• Stay informed and know in-district programming;

• Ensure transition planning for students as they transition from grade to grade;

• Coordinate transition to Elementary, Middle, and High Schools and collaborate with receiving Team and SPSA;

• Participate in Department meetings and collaborate regularly with colleagues;

• Perform any other duties and assume responsibilities as may be required by the Special Education Department, Assistant Superintendent, or the Superintendent of Schools.

Reports to: Principal/SPSA

Evaluated by: Principal/SPSA

Terms of Employment/Salary/Work Year:

As negotiated by the Fitchburg School Committee and the Fitchburg Education Association (FEA).

The Education Team Leader (ETL) shall work the days and times as stated in the Fitchburg Public Schools Collective Bargaining Agreement, plus five additional days at the beginning and five additional days at the end of each school year.

Competitive and comprehensive health benefits are offered through the City of Fitchburg; www.fitchburgma.gov/benefits

Internal Candidates must include a cover letter and updated resume. Please follow the instructions on the internal application to upload the documents.

An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of NCBC (fingerprinting) and CORI prior to your start of employment.

The responsibilities and duties listed are illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned as required.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The School Committee's policy of nondiscrimination extends to students, employees, and the general public with whom it does business. Fitchburg Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability in admission to, access to, employment in, or equal treatment in its programs and/or activities in compliance with state and federal law.

Questions related to this policy must be addressed to: The Office of Human Resources, 376 South Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420, HR@Fitchburg.k12.ma.us