Position Type: Educational Consultants/IDEA Educational ConsultantDate Posted: 7/26/2024Location: Waterbury, CTThe State Education Resource Center (SERC), a quasi-public agency serving the State of Connecticut, is seeking candidates for a full-time position as a Consultant to support and develop SERC's programming under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) with specific knowledge of transition services and supports. This position reports directly to the Special Education Programs and Instructional Design Director. SERC's mission is to provide resources, professional development, and a centralized library to educators, families, and community members in collaboration with the CT State Board of Education and other partners. SERC believes that all students have the right to access opportunities and experiences that reflect and respect their differences and abilities. Research indicates that educational outcomes for students of color, students who are English learners, and students with disabilities continue to lag behind the outcomes of other students. SERC's consultants and staff, in collaboration with our partners in school districts and organizations, build the capacity of educators, service providers, and families to meet the diverse needs of our student population.General Summary SERC Consultants are instructional leaders who design, deliver, and evaluate high-quality professional development supporting the application of learning, systems change, and capacity-building for educators and school leaders. SERC consultants serve as agency liaisons to the CT State Department of Education and Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Through collaborative internal and external partnerships, Consultants operationalize SERC's vision of Equity-Excellence-Education by applying a lens of equity and 21st-century skills to all programming, technical assistance, and materials development. The selected candidate will support and coordinate SERC's multiple internal and external professional learning initiatives that uphold research-based, data-focused, and outcomes-driven best practices in schools, communities, and organizations.Essential Job Functions Applicants must have:
- Provided leadership through project coordination and management related to the agency's special education programs and services.
- Specific expertise, education, and experience in data-driven decision-making and data teams, curriculum and instruction, and special education, including strong knowledge of effective high-leverage, evidence-based strategies meeting the needs of all special education students.?
- Demonstrated teaching ability in heterogeneous and inclusive settings, including the necessary knowledge of IEP development, specially designed instruction, accommodations and modifications, assistive technology, accessible educational materials, and instructional/behavioral strategies to support all learners.
- Experience designing, implementing and facilitating leadership training on Planning and Placement, team leadership, and facilitation skills, as well as professional learning sessions for general education/special education administrators on building their leadership knowledge in special education procedures and practices.
- Experience planning and coordinating professional learning programs that are accessible, inclusive, and culturally relevant to the needs of participants. Working knowledge of standards for professional learning is vital.
- Expertise in transition planning services and support for students with disabilities, specifically high school through postsecondary school.
- Experience in data team implementation and facilitation, multi-tiered systems of support, and effective strategies meeting the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners in general education settings.
- Project development and management skills; strong interpersonal skills to work with various external stakeholders to support the agency's work; strong attention to detail; ability to work effectively and efficiently with an internal team of consultants.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Responsibilities SERC's IDEA Consultants will manage and coordinate various responsibilities in partnership with peers, schools, school districts, agencies, and community organizations. They include, but are not limited to:
- Building collaborative relationships with internal and external partners such as state agencies, school districts, colleges, universities, and community organizations.
- Assisting in the programming for students with disabilities, including logistical planning, scheduling, management, and oversight of professional learning opportunities, services, and programs.
- Coordinating and providing peer coaching, mentoring, modeling, and other types of educational and instructional support geared to enhance academic success and accessability for student with individualized learning plans.
- Assisting school administrators with district-level and school-level strategic programmingsupporting the academic achievement of students with disabilities.
- Maintaining an understanding of current state and national matters related to the needs of students supported by IDEA programs and services.
- Planning and implementing a comprehensive program evaluation designed to develop, monitor, and adjust programming for professional learning.
- Identifying the intersection of equity (race, language, culture, and ethnicity) within all aspects of education and schooling as a link to promote seamless connections and ensure coherence with the agency's vision of Equity. Excellence. Education.
- Demonstrating a proven commitment to work in culturally diverse and inclusive settings.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of:
- Research-based programs and services regarding access to academic education and content.
- Systems change, implementation fidelity and professional development to build capacity and ensure sustainability and coaching.
- Professional learning standards, adult learning, and differentiated learning models to design the effective delivery of professional learning and achieve intended outcomes.
- Federal and state laws, regulations, statutes, and policies specific to learners with disabilities.
Skill in:
- Utilizing research-based strategies specific to the needs of learners with disabilities.
- Using quantitative and qualitative student, educator, and system data to plan, inform and guide program development which would be used to monitor and adjust programming.
- Providing high-quality customer service and collaborative communication that is culturally responsive and accessible for multiple stakeholders, internal and external, to implement professional learning.
- Facilitating the development and execution of state-level policy, research-based practices, and strategies for implementing sustainable change in the area of culturally and linguistically diverse learners.
- Communicating professionally and effectively, with a keen attention to detail.
- Experience using technology to advance professional development and technical assistance.
Ability to:
- Communicate and market the professional learning opportunities, services, products, resources, or programs.
- Develop funding sources and collaborate with funders to develop and implement effective professional learning that meets agreed-upon outcomes.
- Develop and share best practices around emerging educational trends, technologies, and instructional practices.
- Learn independently, conduct research, synthesize and apply information from a variety of resources.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a cross-functional environment on a daily basis to achieve and exceed desired goal.
The ideal applicant must have demonstrated effectiveness in a collaborative, highly team-oriented environment yet possess initiative, self-motivation, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently and work with minimal supervision. Supervisory Responsibility This position has no supervisory responsibilities. Work Environment The IDEA Consultant operates in a professional or virtual office environment. Appropriate business attire is required. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones. Off-site requirements are specific to workshops, training, or school and community work. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, be mobile; use hands or fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, and lift/carry items. The capacity to drive and the availability of a car are preferred. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a full-time, exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasionally, weekend or after-hours work might be necessary. Education and Experience A Master's degree in Special Education or a related field is required, and a Sixth-Year Certificate or Doctorate is preferred, AND experience working in public schools or programs. Salary Range *$87,500 *Salary is non - negotiable. This position will remain open until filled. A thorough, updated resume and at least three professional references must be submitted with the application package in order to be considered. Apply online at: www.ctserc.org (select Employment under the About tab). SERC reserves the right to substitute years of experience for certification or degrees. SERC may expand inquiries into materials submitted in support of an applicant's candidacy without further permission from the applicant. SERC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages the application of individuals from racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from persons with disabilities.Attachment(s):
- Vacancy Announcement - Consultant for IDEA .pdf