Job Summary:

The Special Education Support Specialist for students with disabilities will assist in the development and evaluation of curriculum for Students with Disabilities (SWD) in accordance with Federal and State laws and procedures, and Department of Juvenile Justice policies.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides support for Teaching and Learning across academic settings by consulting with teachers, locating materials, connecting teachers with General Education Support Specialists, and informing teachers of Professional Development opportunities
• Provides support for behavior intervention and discipline across DJJ school settings by observing students, consulting with teachers, modeling strategies, and informing teachers of staff development opportunities
• Provides formal and informal Professional Development to teachers (monthly training) and administrators
• Communicates on a regular basis with school administrators regarding staff concerns and discipline
• Attends all appropriate IEP meetings (legal, parental concerns, and initials, etc.)
• Collaborates with teachers, psychologist, and administrators to meet timelines for IEPs and evaluations
• Collaborates with low incidence consultants on an as need basis
• Collaborates with building test coordinator to ensure compliance of District and Statewide Assessments
• Completes comprehensive initial, re-evaluation eligibility reports
• Maintains re-evaluation and initial evaluation logs
• Provides correction of noncompliance in a timely manner
• Provides timely and accurate data submission
• Checks expired IEPs and eligibility reports in Go IEP weekly and respond in a timely fashion
• Collaborates with the case manager, lead teacher, clerks to establish a process of entering and exiting SWD
• Facilitates Professional Learning trainings as it relates to Special Education
• Completes one classroom observation per site monthly
• Checks IEPs for compliance prior to meetings and finalization
• Provides assistance in the development of Individualized Education Programs for new and struggling
• Special Education teachers. Assists in the development of data collection strategies
• Functions as LEA when neutral facilitation or specialized expertise is needed
• Analyzes and interprets curriculum-based data to improve student outcomes and overall program effectiveness in meeting externally imposed standards.
• Assists Special Education Director in the collection and completion of required reports on programs and services for students in a timely manner
• Participate in activities which lead to continued professional growth including General Education Professional Development
• Completes site visits monthly.
• Completes one “At a Glance,” per site monthly
• Reviews LRE for each SWD monthly
• Recommend changes of instructional practices as necessary for SWD
• Performs other duties or assume additional responsibilities as requested by the Director of Special Education
• Assists Area Superintendents and Principals with screening Special Education applicants as needed
• Assists with the development of the Master schedule and scheduling of SWD · Delivers SWD supplies to assigned sites
• Submits supply and material orders to assigned sites
• Maintains assigned vehicle, adhering to maintenance schedule
• Assists with state testing according to directives
• Maintains a permanent inventory of equipment available to students with disabilities and all equipment and materials purchased by the district for Special Education per site.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Master’s degree in education (Required)
• Specialist Degree in Curriculum/ Administration (Preferred)

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of successful special education teaching experience
• Competency with a variety of instructional strategies
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Assistant Deputy Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable

Minimum Qualifications:

• Administers, scores and interprets assessment instruments to assist with the identification, placement, and instruction/behavioral programming for students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local procedures regarding Individuals with Disabilities Act and students with disabilities
• Ability to work effectively with school administrators and lead teachers
• Advocates for free and appropriate education for students with disabilities
• Uses electronic programs to manage data and information

CERTIFICATIONS

• Holds or is eligible to receive a Georgia Educator Certificate in Special Education
• Leadership Certification

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements:

• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force as needed
• The job also requires the following physical abilities in order to perform the essential job functions: hearing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Working Conditions:

• Employee in this position work in a safe and secure work environment that may periodically have unprecedented requirements or demands
• Requires frequent travels to juvenile detention facilities throughout Georgia

Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Juvenile Justice is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. We are a qualified employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

For more information, visit https://djj.georgia.gov/Online-Applications/employee-benefits

THIS IS AN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

THIS IS AN UNCLASSIFIED POSITION.

THE SELECTED APPLICANT FOR THE POSITION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REFERENCE CHECK AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK, WHERE APPLICABLE

PLEASE INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT JOB INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION.

ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE PRESCREENED.

DJJ IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER