Position Type: EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT SERVICES/ESS Program Specialist AUTISMDate Posted: 4/18/2024Location: Melrose Elementary(High-Needs School)Closing Date: 9/30/2024Job Title: Exceptional Student Services Program Specialist (Autism) Reports To: Director of Exceptional Student Services Prepared By: Exceptional Student Services Leadership Team Summary Provides instructional and behavioral support for teachers, paraprofessionals, andstudents identified with autism. The Exceptional Student Services Autism Specialist will ensure that a free, appropriate, public education (FAPE) is provided to those students in compliance with State and Federal requirements and that appropriate supports are in place for classroom and school personnel.Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops and provides training in the autism spectrum and related issues to principals, Exceptional Student Services personnel, regular education personnel and parents as requested or needed.
- Collaborates with the Exceptional Student Services Staffing Supervisor on Exceptional Student Services personnel issues and student/teacher assignments.
- Assists administrators and Exceptional Student Services personnel with difficult Exceptional Student Services behavior issues and facilitates resolutions.
- Provides assistance with IEP development.
- Participates in the development of Initial and Interim IEPs for students with Autism.
- Maintains a current knowledge base of learning and behavioral theories, services, and early intervention programming for children with autism.
- Participates in and partners with various local resources and other appropriate committees, and liaises with the Louisiana Department of Education regarding students with autism.
- Communicates with teachers, administrators, other district personnel, and parents regarding District programs.
- Identifies and requests relevant learning resources for the District and schools.
- Shares program information with outside agencies and groups.
- Assists with implementation of classroom programs for students with autism. .
- Supports students during transition to new education placements.
- Maintains appropriate documentation, records and reports.
- Provides technical assistance with the development and interpretation of various components of the Functional Behavior Assessment, the Behavior Intervention Plan, and the IEP.
- Attends IEP meetings when needed to ensure consideration of the Least Restrictive Environment for initially identified students with autism.
- Consults with parents to clarify issues regarding rights of students with disabilities in the educational setting.
- Collaborates with Homebound instructional personnel, when appropriate.
- Assists with Self-Review Special Education Monitoring, District Assessment Team Monitoring, LEAP Site Monitoring or any other district school improvement action.
- Attends federal/state/parish trainings regarding writing compliant IEPs, changes in the IEP process and other matters relative to Exceptional Student Services policies and instruction.
- Attends local, state and national meetings when approved for professional development in the area of autism.
- Collaborates with the Exceptional Student Services administrators when site determinations must be made.
- Maintains equipment/materials inventory needed to implement programs for students receiving services.
- Assists in location of equipment for audits.
- Organizes time, resources and workload in order to meet responsibilities.
ESS Program Specialist Page 2
- Serves as a liaison between home-school-community and promotes effective resource utilization and positive relation with various public agencies.
- Maintains an advocacy role to assure that the student's educational, social and emotional needs are met in accordance with established special educational laws, rules and regulations.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Exceptional Student Services Department.
Supervisory Responsibilities Not Applicable Essential Functions and Qualifications The essential functions for the position of Exceptional Student Services Program Specialist (Autism) include the physical and mental involvement requirements noted in this position description in addition to regular reliable attendance given the limited number of employees available to perform the essential functions of this position. It is also essential that the Exceptional Student Services Program Specialist (Autism) be able to follow the directives of superiors in insuring the harmonious operation of the department. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Minimum of a Master's degree from an accredited university or college with Louisiana certification (according to Bulletin 746) and/or teaching special education OR Louisiana certification (according to Bulletin 746) in special education and five (5) years of experience in teaching special education with a recommendation from a principal. Working knowledge of preferred practices in specially designed instruction, relevant federal and state laws and system policies and procedures for Exceptional Student Services. Certification (when applicable) and experience must be in specialized area: Autism. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or the school board. REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach, bend and sometimes lift up to 20 pounds. Mobility skills are necessary to access a variety of work locations. MENTAL INVOLVEMENT The Exceptional Student Services Program Specialist (Autism) must possess sufficient interpersonal skills to function compatibly with others. The Exceptional Student Services Program Specialist (Autism) must respond positively to supervision and to accept suggestions for improvement.ESS Program Specialist Page 3Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Professional Conduct Employee acknowledges that he/she is required to maintain a high standard of professional conduct. Breach of said professional conduct includes, but is not limited to: neglect of duty, dishonesty, engagement in acts that are contrary to EBRPSS policy, unlawful activities, or any other conduct which is seriously prejudicial to the school system. Classification under Fair Labor Standards Act(s) (FLSA) The East Baton Rouge Parish School System in compliance with Fair Labor Standards Act(s) considers this position EXEMPT from any and all overtime payments.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School System and all of its entities (including Career and Technical Education Programs) do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, disability, or gender in its educational programs and activities (including employment and application for employment), and it is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of gender by Title IX (20 USC 168) and on the basis of disability by Section 504 (42 USC 794). The Title IX Coordinator is Andrew Davis, Director of Risk Management - ...@ebrschools.org, (225) ###-####. The Section 504 Coordinator is Danielle Staten-Ojo - ...@ebrschools.org, (225) ###-####.