Job Description

SUBSIDIARY: Fairwold Academy

ROLE TYPE: Full-Time

The Special Education Compliance Coordinator is a critical participant in the implementation of all policies and procedures related to the Special Education programs. The Special Education Compliance Coordinator maintains relationships with state, regional, and district-level special education representatives and keeps Fairwold Academy compliant with deadlines related to special education programs and state-mandated testing, ensuring all special education reporting and compliance requirements are met in partnership with school districts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the Executive Director, Director of Special Education, and Fairwold Academy staff with the implementation of all policies and procedures related to Special Education programs, including but not limited to:
  • Policies related to timelines for re-evaluation of students and psychometric testing of students, through activities including scheduling and facilitating Individual Education Plan (IEP), assessment result, and re-evaluation meetings
  • Working directly with teachers, administrators, and related service providers to train staff in writing all aspects of a student's IEP
  • Reviewing submitted IEP documentation for quality and compliance with state and federal regulations
  • Collecting input, including but not limited to present levels and data from service providers (e.g., speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral specialist, etc.) for student IEPs
  • Ensuring, in collaboration with the Executive Director, Principal, and Director of Special Education, that all IEPs and re-evaluations are current, legally defensible, and representative of individual student data
• Create and maintain relationships with state, regional, and district-level special education contacts by maintaining regular contact with local education agency (LEA) representatives, ensuring local education agencies are given a minimum of two weeks' notice, in order to participate in student IEP and re-evaluation meetings, provide input for continued placement in an Approved Private School (APS), and are involved in all aspects of programming for the student in order to ensure that the most effective programming is created for student success.
• Develop contacts with special education related service providers by leading regular check in meetings with the IEP team to ensure that all areas of student needs are identified and addressed within the IEP and determine if services for individual students need to be modified by reviewing data on student progress and by working with providers to ensure that data being provided for IEP meetings is clear and representative of the student(s) current level of performance.
• Assist with all special education reporting, e.g., school, local, state, and federal, by collecting relevant data and information including, but not limited to, input from families and student, related services providers, teachers, and counselors, and providing such to the Executive Director, Director of Special Education, and Fairwold Academy staff; cooperate with Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) staff during licensure visits by providing any data and information as requested.
• Work with the Executive Director, Special Education Director, teachers, and related service providers on compliance-related issues by producing and providing biweekly reports of compliance-related information requested and received including reports and input from teachers, related services providers, behavior analysts, correction or instruction given to staff, and collaborate with the Director of Education to design, develop, and deliver any relevant training needed as the subject-matter expert.
• As a subject matter expert in conjunction with the Executive Director and the Director of Special Education, work with the Director of Education to create and provide training to teachers and related services providers in all areas of IEP creation, review, monitoring, and compliance to ensure the most complete documentation is provided for our students.
• Track and inform teachers, administration, and related service providers of compliancy dates for Individual Educational Plans (IEP) by sending emails, making phone calls, and following up in person with individuals to ensure that all needed information is submitted within expected timelines and in the format requested.
• Work directly with parents and students to gather input regarding services, progress, and goals into IEP and re-evaluations; review services; and ensure that parents and students are aware of the services that will be provided in the school setting.
• Contact students and families for all IEP meetings, assist the Special Education Assistant to schedule meetings, and distribute IEPs and evaluations to teachers by scheduling, notifying relevant parties, securing a meeting space, attending, and leading annual IEP meetings, re-evaluation meetings, and manifest determination review meetings to ensure that all compliance timelines are met.
• Lead and participate in IEP meetings for assigned caseload to ensure comprehensive and compliant services are included in all IEPs.
• Manage caseloads and teacher assignments by maintaining regular contact with assigned classroom teachers throughout the school year to ensure that no required meetings are missed, that data being collected on student progress is actionable, and by developing and training teachers in the process of effective IEP writing and compliance.
• Create and maintain an active list of all LEA representatives that will be distributed to Leadership.
• Coordinate and organize student special education records for partner school districts by maintaining electronic files of all submitted documentation to ensure that the most recent and historical information is available upon approved request for records.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SKILLS:

• Knowledge of all state and federal laws and rules pertaining to special education, including the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA)
• Knowledge and experience in writing Individual Education Plans (IEPs), record reviews, and compliance regulations
• Preferred: Background or experience in an Approved Private School for special education students or a public school special education setting
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage and prioritize multiple, often competing, priorities
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail in daily work and in writing and evaluation of Individual Education Plans

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Represents Fairwold Academy as a welcoming and premier educational environment to a diverse audience, including parents, clients, community, and other stakeholders, and participates in special education events as requested
• Manages all aspects of Special Education services meetings for all Fairwold programs, including but not limited to 30-day IEP meetings, Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, Physical Intervention and Manifestation determination meetings, and other activities as requested
• Maintains confidentiality with a wide variety of sensitive information, including but not limited to manual and electronic files, documents and records, meeting notes, medical histories, and other identifying information
• Maintains accurate information for special education timelines, assists professionals with logistical and administrative support, communicates deadlines and procedural timeline recommendations for leadership
• Assists with the collection, compilation, and production of special education metrics requested by the Leadership Team
• Provides training and technical support to all Fairwold staff members in the user functions of special education software programs and systems used to write IEP documents

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, special education, or a related field required (master's degree preferred)
• Three years of experience required in facilitating IEP meetings and/or working with students with disabilities, particularly those with autism, intellectual disabilities, and emotional issues, as a teacher, school psychologist, or related services provider
• Preferred: Current Pennsylvania state certification in Special Education or a related field, such as School Psychology or Educational Leadership

COMPENSATION:

• PHMC Salary Grade 19
• Starting salaries vary and are based on education, work experience, and skills.

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.