Special Education District Representative
: Job Details :

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.The mission of the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is to support activities designed to accurately identify students with disabilities, and provide them with the specialized instruction and services they need to meet their individual educational needs.Job Summary: Reporting directly to the OSD District Representative Manager, the Special Education District Representativewill be responsible for providing oversight and guidance to networks, schools and IEP teams to develop IEPs that follow best practice standards.The Special Education District Representative will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:•Serve as the Special Education District Representative at IEP team meetings.•Monitor the implementation of procedures and IEP-required services and adherence to best practice standards and protocols.•Develop and facilitate professional development for school and district staff around best practices for supporting students with disabilities.•Be part of the Network team to review data, engage in strategic discussions and follow-up activities; participate in school walk-throughs, as needed.•Troubleshoot major diverse learner service issues that ensure all students are receiving Free Appropriate Public Education (F.A.P.E.) and the IEPs are in compliance with relevant laws and policies.•Provide support to charter schools and non-public schools.•Function as liaison for the district; Consistently maintain quality interactions with teachers, students, parents, and the larger community.•Maintain and protect the rights and confidentiality of others.•Manage fiscal and physical resources responsibly, efficiently, and effectively.•Other duties as assigned.In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Special Education District Representative must possess the following qualifications: Education Required:•Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Education or a related field of study, required•Master's degree preferred•Valid Professional Educator License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education required•Special Education endorsement (LBS1, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Blind/Visually Impaired, Early Childhood Special Education) required•General Administrative endorsement (or out-of-state equivalent) preferredExperience Required:•Minimum of five (5) years of teaching, case management, and/or clinician experience supporting special education required•Administrative and special education service provision experience preferredKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities: •In-depth expertise in special education curriculum and service provision.•Knowledge of general education curriculum.•Demonstrated understanding of the individual needs of students with disabilities from a variety of language and cultural backgrounds.•Strong knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations regarding the delivery of special education and related services.•Knowledge and understanding of CPS resources.•Strong foundation and knowledge base in the areas of systems change, administrative leadership and instructional coaching.•Knowledge of intervention and assessment strategies for disabled and non-disabled students.•Knowledge of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS or RTI).•Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, staff, associates, students, parents, governmental and community agencies, and employers.•Ability to problem-solve, work on a team, use data to guide work, and clearly communicate to multiple stakeholders.•Demonstrated expertise in customer service, consensus building, and use of problem-solving skills and strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.•Ability to prioritize work in a fast-paced environment.Conditions of EmploymentAs a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:•Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.•Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. Up-to-date on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters. Unvaccinated staff with an approved exemption must submit to weekly testing.