Sped Coordinator

Serendipity is seeking to fill a(n) SpEd Coordinator position. Our SpEd Coordinator plays the critical role of developing and writing Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) to meet the specific needs of students who qualify for special education services as prescribed by local, state and federal rules and regulations governing service to students with disabilities.

What makes us different? Serendipity Center is a therapeutic day school that combines Mental Health, Special Education, Wellness, and Transition Readiness supports for students who need extra time, attention, and skills practice to be successful.

Being a private non-profit, all the support and resources are right here on campus, in addition to having small class sizes, Teachers are provided with an in- classroom Program Assistant, and 1-2 additional Instructional Assistants minimum. Outside of the classroom a team of Behavioral Interventionists, Clinical Case Managers, SLP's, SPED Coordinators, MTSS Supervisors, an Art Therapist, Transition Coordinator, Therapeutic Adaptive Recreation Teacher, and a Therapeutic Garden Educator all add to our rich program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Collaborates with classroom teacher to assess a student's progress toward previous year's IEP goals and to develop or revise strategies to meet the educational needs of individual students as needed.

Coaches classroom teachers on IEP draft and goal development as well as progress monitoring.

Comfortable facilitating meetings with larger students teams with multiple stakeholders.

• For evaluations, interprets testing data and information collected from evaluations of students and incorporates that information into a report format so that parents, staff, and others are able to understand the functioning level of a specific student.

• Monitors workload to ensure IEPs are revised with teacher in advance of IEP meeting to meet all IEP deadlines. Ensures IEP compliance with district, state and federal guidelines in regard to procedures and documentation.

• Facilitates annual IEP meetings and IEP review meetings, communicating information with colleagues, parents, students, and other professionals in a positive, solution-oriented manner. Presents information, discusses recommendations, and facilitates the discussion of any modifications to the plan and makes revisions as concluded by IEP review meetings.

• Collaborates with Intake Coordinator and Case Manager to review existing IEPs for incoming students; recommends changes or new plans as needed, and follows up with the classroom team to discuss implementation of the IEP. Offers theoretical and technical assistance to teachers and case managers to appropriately apply current theories and methodologies that best support the student needs.

• Establishes and maintain positive relations with school district representatives.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Participates actively in professional growth activities, by attending on and off campus trainings, seminars and conferences. Facilitates staff training regarding best instructional practices and IEP procedures compliance.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education/experience: Master's degree in Education and three years Special Education teaching experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with Behavioral/Mental Health Disorders Preferred.

• Certification/Licenses: Current Oregon Teaching License with Special Education Endorsement or current Special Education license from another state pending Oregon licensure. Current Oregon Administrator's License preferred.

• General Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
  
  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of staff, parents/guardians, students, and the general public. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

• Computer Skills: General MS Windows skills and word-processing proficiency.
  
  Physical Demands: Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function. Other Requirements: Pass a Mental Health and Development Disability Services Division criminal records check.

• The following experience/expertise is preferred but not necessarily required:

• Expertise in Reading/Language Arts Instruction best practices

• Bilingual/ Spanish proficiency

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

SOME OF THE PERKS Beyond working for a mission-driven school that has been serving the community for over 40 years, Serendipity offers a number of great perks. One significant benefit is the school schedule, which closely aligns with the school day, including time off that aligns with school breaks. This can be explained further during the interview process.

Serendipity offers a comprehensive benefits package that is largely employer paid for the employee and includes Medical/Dental/Vision / Basic Life/AD&D Insurance / Short and Long Term Disability / Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts / as well as a 403B retirement match after one year of employment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General office conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to assault by a student.

The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, but occasionally may be moderate.