Education Specialist

BASIC FUNCTION/DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

Altus Schools are an educational option for students in grades K-5 and 6-12. Its instructional design is based on a “University Model”. Students work independently and attend tutoring sessions. Students come at scheduled times to maintain a safe environment and supportive school culture. The course of study is based on the California State Framework.

Altus Schools is seeking competent, energetic, student-centered educators with exceptional management and organizational skills, who understand youth, are able to motivate students, set high expectations, welcome accountability, and are good team players.

An Altus Schools Education Specialist will: 1) support for the instructional program for students with special needs, 2) maintain and create accurate records for special education students, 3) on-going student assessment and evaluation, 4) on-going planning with instructional staff.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Writes and implements all components of the Individualized Education Plan.
• Develops educational plans for the purpose of meeting the individual needs of unique learners.
• Evaluates students for the purpose of identifying student needs and maintain accurate records
• Teaches/instructs students for the purpose of ensuring successful progress towards student's goals and objectives.
• Coordinates services for students as delineated in the IEP.
• Consults/collaborates with staff, parents, and non- public agencies for the purpose of ensuring appropriate delivery of services
• Maintains accurate special education records and adheres to special education timelines on compliance issues
• Conducts home visits as necessary to enhance student engagement.
• Contributes and collaborates with special education department
• Participates on a department with a specific focus on curriculum, college and career readiness, equity and inclusion, or data and technology systems integration.
• Creates and maintains community partnerships and serves as a key participant in the organization’s marketing plan
• Administer, score, and interpret academic assessment testing and develop applicable goals and objectives for student services.
• Support general education staff in developing individualized Pathways Personalized Education Plan (PPEP) for each student
• Provide consultant services to regular Resource Center Instructors and ancillary staff.
• Evaluate effectiveness of strategies and techniques used and adjust instruction and delivery
• Work with teachers to develop and maintain teaming/communication
• Modify core curriculum and implement appropriate teaching strategies
• Responsible for developing, implementing, and participating in regular and ongoing marketing and community outreach activities and events to ensure students and parents are aware of the school as a free public option
• Responsible for developing, implementing, and participating in regular and ongoing student retention activities and strategies to ensure no student drops out and that continued academic engagement is present
• Customarily and regularly exercises discretion and independent judgement on issues that significantly impact special education student outcomes.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned to meet the operational, educational, business, compliance, and student service needs of Altus Schools. Such duties will be consistent with the employee's qualifications and the general nature and level of the position.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge of different common disabilities and instructional strategies
• Executive functioning instruction and supporting social skills development.
• Various formal academic assessment tools in reading, language arts, and mathematics. Such as the WJIV, KTEA
• Strategies for student motivation.
• Instructional strategies involving computerization.
• Secondary curriculum including advanced mathematics
• Cooperative learning models Universal Design for Learning
• IEP timelines and procedures
• Laws and regulations related to special education.
• SEIS knowledge preferred
• Work with students from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain reliable on-site attendance and punctuality in accordance with assigned work schedule.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license and reliable transportation
• TB Clearance
• Obtain Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance through the DOJ and FBI

CERTIFICATIONS:

California Clear or Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe

BLCAD or CLAD Certification

Master’s Degree preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS:

ENVIRONMENT: Indoor, office setting; exposure to computer screens.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Hearing and speaking to exchange information with staff, and external vendors; seeing to read, proofread, perform clerical tasks and periodic work on a computer screen; intermittent sitting, standing, and walking throughout the workday; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting light objects; traveling to attend visits at resource centers, external venues, home visits, and staff meetings, with reliable transportation.

WORK LOCATION AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS : This position is primarily performed in an in-person educational environment to support the operational, instructional, compliance, and student service needs of Altus Schools. The employee will be required to work onsite up to five (5) days per week to support school operations, instructional continuity, student services, compliance functions, staff support, meetings, training, and other operational requirements necessary for the effective functioning of the schools.

The ability to report onsite as assigned is considered an essential function of this position and is necessary to support collaboration, responsiveness, operational efficiency, supervision, and continuity of educational services.