Programs Specialist

ABOUT ASPIRE

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

JOB SUMMARY

The Program Specialist assists special education staff and provides consultation, IEP coordination and support at the school site level; provides leadership to principals, teachers and support personnel to ensure legally compliant and instructionally effective services for students with disabilities; and provides professional development support to Aspire staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plans programs, provides curricular resources and technical assistance for, and assesses the effectiveness of the program for students with exceptional needs for their assigned schools in the region
• Ensures the use of best practices in the implementation of pre-referral behavioral interventions, positive behavioral interventions as outlined in the IEP, and implementation of behavior and academic support and intervention plans by collaborating with school psychologists, other specialists or site staff including providing professional development as needed
• Supervision and development of related service providers
• Provides leadership in the area of curriculum, instruction and modification/accommodation for students with diverse learning needs
• Assumes responsibility for appropriate identification, educational programming and services for special education students
• Leverages individual and cultural diversity, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of working with ELL students
• Provides support for data driven decision-making and accountability to improve the instructional program and assure student progress
• Ensures due process requirements are met to complete the appropriate development of IEPs and provides ongoing monitoring to ensure IDEA compliance under the direction and guidance of the SELPA.
• Provides leadership to Principals in the supervision, hiring and coaching of special education team members.
• Identifies resources, develops methods for parental involvement, and encourages participation in parent training activities for families of children with disabilities
• Manages difficult cases to assure appropriate special education services, including attending staffings, IEP meetings and parent conferences
• Applies conflict resolution strategies with parents or other stakeholders to resolve disputes related to a student’s IEP, demonstrating knowledge of current IDEA and Aspire policy and procedures
• Work with site leader and lead Ed Specialist to identify, coach and support the Education Specialists
• Keep up-to-date on special education research and best practices.
• Work closely with the Regional Special Education team and Principals, to identify needed resources (i.e. professional development, instructional materials, staffing, and consultants) through monitoring caseload ratios.
• Travels across the region to support schools as well as traveling across regions for team meeting and professional development, when needed.
• Support with Non-public School or Residential Treatment Center placements
• Professional Development:
• Participate in the designing and redesigning of the Aspire special educational program.
• Assists in the design and facilitation of org-wide and region-wide professional development for staff, including onboarding of Special Education teammates.
• Participates in professional development, provides training and support to Special Ed Team to enhance instruction for students with social communication, behavioral and learning challenges

Additional:

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
• Comfortable with utilization of technology in a remote environment.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Competencies:

• Proven successful teaching or related service provision in Special Education
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated leadership, part of which shall have been supervisory (Recommended)
• Minimum 5 years related experience in special education leadership

Minimum educational level:

• CA Education Specialist Credential and CLAD certification required OR CA Related Service Provider Credential/License (School Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, etc)
• Master’s Degree in Special Education or related Field (preferred)

Experience required:

• CPI certification desired
• CA Administrative Services Credential desired
• Bilingual desired - Spanish

Physical requirements:

• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

Work authorization requirements:

• Clear the Department of Justice background screening.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Provide health (TB) clearance (renewed every four years).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics are representative of those in a normal office, classroom/school setting which one might encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Aspire Public Schools has implemented a Remote Work policy. This position may also require periodic travel to school sites in order to interact with school leaders.

• Work indoors in a standard office environment, computer lab, and/or classroom environment.
• Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments.
• Exposure to dust, oils, and cleaning chemicals.
• Some exposure to childhood and other diseases in a school environment.
• May be required to work outside of typical work days and office hours to meet operational deadlines.

Benefits

Aspire Public Schools has equitable and transparent salary schedules that are based upon years of relevant work experience for each role. The salary schedules generally range from 1-15 years of experience, but may also range up to 30 years of experience. The highest salary posted for this role is only available for individuals who meet the maximum years of work experience.