JOB SUMMARY:

Coordinates the planning of special education evaluations, conducting individual intellectual, academic, and social/emotional/behavioral assessments, leading team eligibility decisions, and assisting IEP teams in linking evaluation findings to special education services through written report and consultation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Demonstrates positive and appropriate interactions with students in a testing and consultative setting.
2. Participates in student referral review meetings and leads team in making appropriate special education referral decisions.
3. Develops special education evaluation plans with input from building team.
4. Administers or assigns intelligence tests, achievement tests, clinical tasks, behavior rating scales, performs observations, and conducts other diagnostic procedures, as appropriate to implement evaluation plans.
5. Interprets District and outside agency evaluations for parents, teachers, other staff, and other entitled parties.
6. Completes comprehensive evaluation reports that detail individual students' educational profiles, strengths and weaknesses, and adequately synthesize the findings of the evaluation team.
7. Schedules eligibility conferences in consultation with all team members to ensure that all required parties could meet at a time and date convenient to all.
8. Assumes a leadership role by assisting the evaluation team in making appropriate special education eligibility decisions.
9. Attends all initial eligibility conferences.
10. Assists the IEP team in determining if sufficient data are available or if additional information is necessary when conducting re-evaluations and monitors the re-evaluation process.
11. Ensures parental consent is obtained for all evaluations requiring formal testing.
12. Maintains regulatory timelines for evaluation plan development, eligibility conference dates, and evaluation report completion.
13. Works closely with special education case managers to ensure all triennial evaluations are conducted within time limits.
14. Maintains documentation of all activities related to the special education evaluation process by using appropriate district approved forms and by keeping adequate professional notes.
15. Assists parents, teachers, and others through the special education evaluation process by explaining the process, evaluation procedures, state regulations, and other related issues as needed.
16. Submits on a quarterly basis a Caseload Monitoring Form and Quarterly Activity Report to the Special Education Coordinator for Evaluations and other information as requested.
17. Keeps abreast of new developments in the fields of education and special education, with particular focus on evaluation related issues.
18. Consults and/or attends IEP’s or other meetings for students, as appropriate.
19. Requires travel to District buildings as necessary.
20. Other duties as assigned by the Administration.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

1. Master's Degree in Special Education, Guidance Counselor, School Psychological Examiner, or School Psychologist or related field.
2. Appropriate certification preferred.
3. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed by the Division of Professional Registration preferred.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

1. Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, and interact effectively with all aspects of the school community is required.
2. Ability to solve conflicts, maintain confidentiality and remain open to various ideas and viewpoints.

REASONING ABILITY:

1. Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines while complying with established policies and procedures of the building and district.
2. Identifies and resolve problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
3. Ability to concentrate, think, read and learn is necessary to perform the essential job duties.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Demonstrate organizational ability and attention to detail.
2. Ability to provide assistance to the school community as necessary.
3. Ability to work independently.
4. Excellent human relation skills.
5. Knowledge of office equipment (computers, copiers, fax machine, and related items).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must regularly sit, talk, listen, and respond. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee will regularly stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, precise hand-eye coordination and the ability to identify and distinguish colors. Occasionally, the employee may lift up to 50 pounds, such as, to lift files, papers, and equipment. The foregoing is not an exclusive list and the employee may be required to exceed the minimum physical demand specifications should the safety and security of students and staff be compromised.

The above physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually at a moderate to loud level with frequent interruptions. The employee continuously interacts with students, staff and the public. Travel may be necessary to various District buildings and/or other sites. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.

The information contained in job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.