Program Specialist for Exceptional Student Services

Summary

Flagstaff Unified School DistrictProgram Specialist Job DescriptionJOB TITLE: Program Specialist for Exceptional Student Services (ESS) - Marshall Elementary SchoolREPORTS TO: Site Administrator and Executive Director, Student Services and Educational Excellence2026-2027 School Year: 1.0 FTE; Benefits offered; ASRS participation (required); Start date: October 13, 2026. Additional $7,000 stipend is issued. Position is ineligible for 301 allocation and teacher-related increases.SUMMARY OF FUNCTION:Assist the site administrator and Executive Director of Student Services and Educational Excellence in the implementation and coordination of special education programs.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Elementary and SecondaryProvide support and mentoring for dual-cert, resource, and specialized program teachers.Ensure compliance with federal (IDEA), state, and district laws, procedures, and policies (to include ADE audits).Assist school teams in facilitating student placement along the continuum of services, ensuring placement in the least- restrictive environment, and promoting inclusive practices.Support and train teachers in writing Individual Education Plans (IEPs).Monitor Medicaid compliance by reviewing students' annual IEPs.Serve as the LEA representative at special education meetings or ensure there is a replacement if Program Specialist is not available.Support with special education specialized instruction as needed (could include teaching small groups, subbing, designing instruction, support with curriculum, etc.).Create schedules for paraprofessionals; move as needed to fill daily vacancies.Provide training as needed for special education staff (certified and classified) to promote student success in special and general education settings and ensure compliance.Interview, hire, and evaluate paraprofessionalsHelp coordinate state/district testing and student accommodations.Administer gifted testing.Elementary OnlySupport the Instructional Specialist's implementation of Tier 3 interventions.Provide teachers with resources for gifted instruction and assist in school-wide gifted plans.Ensure PEP (Personal Education Plans for gifted students) forms are filled out.QUALIFICATIONS:Valid Arizona certificate in special education or license in a related field; Elementary Only - General education certification, K-8 (preferred)Minimum of four years working in the field of special educationSkilled at working with others in a professional learning environmentAccurate and effective working knowledge of IDEA and state regulationSupervisory experience and ability to multitaskAbility to organize ideas and communicate them with clarity and conciseness in a variety of settingsExperience with curriculum accommodations, modification or adaptation, instruction, and assessmentsExperience with coordinating schedules (adults and/or students)COMPENSATION:Placement on the certified salary scheduleAdditional $7,000 stipend is issued. Position is ineligible for 301 allocation and teacher-related increases.MENTAL TASKSCommunicates verbally and in writing. Reads. Analyze and evaluate student progress and course curriculum. Develop, implement and evaluate plans. Manages classroom. Promotes learning and ensures safety. Perform functions from written and oral instruction and from observing and listening to others. Evaluate written materials to include written assignment and tests.PHYSICAL TASKSWork involves the performance of duties where physical exertion and movement is required to perform the aspects of the job. Assistance is available as required to perform physically demanding tasks. Work involves sitting and moving for extended periods of time, requires moving from one location to another, reaching, bending, stooping (moving to eye level of the student), hold and grasping objects. Verbal communication ability required.EQUIPMENT, AIDS, TOOLS, MATERIALSUses blackboards, whiteboard, easel, bulletin board, computers, video projectors, chalk, markers, and office or instructional equipment. FUSD recognizes that ever changing development of technology but expects all staff to keep abreast of changing technology opportunities and use tools and devices provided to them.WORKING CONDITIONSIndoor - classroom environment. Outdoor - all weather conditions and temperatures. Playground environment. Contact with public, employees, children and parents. Exposure to noise, dusts, gas and fumes.CONTROL AND SUPERVISIONMonitor control of students, communicates with families frequently about strengths and areas for growth, volunteers and/or assistant aides and paraprofessionals in the classroom, field trips, lunchroom, library, school buses and other areas.All employees are subject to a criminal background check. The Flagstaff Unified School District is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in relation to race, color, religion, gender expression, sexual orientation, military status, age, national origin, or disability. Offers of employment, contingent upon funding. Missing documents may result in your application not moving forward in the process.

Job Description

Flagstaff Unified School DistrictProgram Specialist Job DescriptionJOB TITLE: Program Specialist for Exceptional Student Services (ESS) - Marshall Elementary SchoolREPORTS TO: Site Administrator and Executive Director, Student Services and Educational Excellence2026-2027 School Year: 1.0 FTE; Benefits offered; ASRS participation (required); Start date: October 13, 2026. Additional $7,000 stipend is issued. Position is ineligible for 301 allocation and teacher-related increases.SUMMARY OF FUNCTION:Assist the site administrator and Executive Director of Student Services and Educational Excellence in the implementation and coordination of special education programs.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Elementary and SecondaryProvide support and mentoring for dual-cert, resource, and specialized program teachers.Ensure compliance with federal (IDEA), state, and district laws, procedures, and policies (to include ADE audits).Assist school teams in facilitating student placement along the continuum of services, ensuring placement in the least- restrictive environment, and promoting inclusive practices.Support and train teachers in writing Individual Education Plans (IEPs).Monitor Medicaid compliance by reviewing students' annual IEPs.Serve as the LEA representative at special education meetings or ensure there is a replacement if Program Specialist is not available.Support with special education specialized instruction as needed (could include teaching small groups, subbing, designing instruction, support with curriculum, etc.).Create schedules for paraprofessionals; move as needed to fill daily vacancies.Provide training as needed for special education staff (certified and classified) to promote student success in special and general education settings and ensure compliance.Interview, hire, and evaluate paraprofessionalsHelp coordinate state/district testing and student accommodations.Administer gifted testing.Elementary OnlySupport the Instructional Specialist's implementation of Tier 3 interventions.Provide teachers with resources for gifted instruction and assist in school-wide gifted plans.Ensure PEP (Personal Education Plans for gifted students) forms are filled out.QUALIFICATIONS:Valid Arizona certificate in special education or license in a related field; Elementary Only - General education certification, K-8 (preferred)Minimum of four years working in the field of special educationSkilled at working with others in a professional learning environmentAccurate and effective working knowledge of IDEA and state regulationSupervisory experience and ability to multitaskAbility to organize ideas and communicate them with clarity and conciseness in a variety of settingsExperience with curriculum accommodations, modification or adaptation, instruction, and assessmentsExperience with coordinating schedules (adults and/or students)COMPENSATION:Placement on the certified salary scheduleAdditional $7,000 stipend is issued. Position is ineligible for 301 allocation and teacher-related increases.MENTAL TASKSCommunicates verbally and in writing. Reads. Analyze and evaluate student progress and course curriculum. Develop, implement and evaluate plans. Manages classroom. Promotes learning and ensures safety. Perform functions from written and oral instruction and from observing and listening to others. Evaluate written materials to include written assignment and tests.PHYSICAL TASKSWork involves the performance of duties where physical exertion and movement is required to perform the aspects of the job. Assistance is available as required to perform physically demanding tasks. Work involves sitting and moving for extended periods of time, requires moving from one location to another, reaching, bending, stooping (moving to eye level of the student), hold and grasping objects. Verbal communication ability required.EQUIPMENT, AIDS, TOOLS, MATERIALSUses blackboards, whiteboard, easel, bulletin board, computers, video projectors, chalk, markers, and office or instructional equipment. FUSD recognizes that ever changing development of technology but expects all staff to keep abreast of changing technology opportunities and use tools and devices provided to them.WORKING CONDITIONSIndoor - classroom environment. Outdoor - all weather conditions and temperatures. Playground environment. Contact with public, employees, children and parents. Exposure to noise, dusts, gas and fumes.CONTROL AND SUPERVISIONMonitor control of students, communicates with families frequently about strengths and areas for growth, volunteers and/or assistant aides and paraprofessionals in the classroom, field trips, lunchroom, library, school buses and other areas.All employees are subject to a criminal background check. The Flagstaff Unified School District is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in relation to race, color, religion, gender expression, sexual orientation, military status, age, national origin, or disability. Offers of employment, contingent upon funding. Missing documents may result in your application not moving forward in the process.