Program Specialist .6 FTE

Overview Under the direction of the Director of Special Education, the Program Specialist develops, coordinates, and oversees the delivery of high-quality, inclusive, and equitable special education programs across all school sites. This role supports the development and implementation of district policies, budgets, and compliance with State and Federal regulations, including IDEA, Section 504, and SELPA guidelines. The Program Specialist provides leadership in curriculum development, student services, and staff evaluation, while integrating technology and evidence-based practices to enhance instruction, social-emotional supports, and student outcomes. Responsibilities Provide technical expertise and consultation to administrators, IEP teams, and staff regarding the development, implementation, and monitoring of special education programs to ensure the provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in compliance with federal and state law. Oversee district-wide compliance with IDEA, Section 504, and SELPA guidelines; ensure the development of legally defensible IEPs through rigorous procedural review, and lead the creation of district policies and best practices. Serve as a member of the IEP team and act as LEA administrative designee as appropriate. Support school sites in identifying and evaluating students with exceptional needs, ensuring compliance with IDEA, Section 504, and other applicable laws. Coordinate student mental health, counseling, and Tier 2/3 academic and behavioral interventions, ensuring alignment with special education services and community partnerships. Plan, monitor, and evaluate special education programs, including analysis of enrollment trends, caseload management, staffing allocation, service delivery models, and program effectiveness metrics. Manage student placements across public, non-public, private, and state schools, as well as transitions from early intervention programs. Facilitate site visits, program observations, and professional development sessions for staff, families, and community partners. Collaborate with public and private organizations, including County Offices of Education and SELPA, to enhance programs, compliance, and professional development. Support sites in evaluating intervention effectiveness and provide actionable recommendations to district leadership. Assist with and monitor the implementation of IEP services, including low-incidence support, Assistive Technology access, and innovative instructional tools, to ensure students receive services and supports as specified in their Individualized Education Programs. Provide guidance, resources, and counseling to families to promote active participation in the special education process. Collaborate in planning, monitoring, and managing the special education budget, including resource allocation and procurement. Facilitate parent participation in IEP development, dispute resolution, and SELPA Community Advisory Committee engagement. Support district efforts in due process hearings, mediation, compliance reviews, and complaint investigations. Participate in the recruitment, hiring, supervision, and evaluation of multidisciplinary certificated and classified Student Services staff, while leading regular professional learning communities and collaborative trainings to ensure high-quality service delivery. Advise administrators and staff on student learning, behavior, social-emotional needs, and evidence-based interventions. Support development and alignment of the special education curriculum with core academic programs; provide access to instructional resources and technology for all staff. Monitor data collection, reporting, and analytics to ensure compliance with Local, State, and Federal requirements, and support continuous program improvement. Promote communication and collaboration with district personnel, families, and community partners to achieve student-centered outcomes. Contribute to strategic initiatives aligned with LUSD's Local Control and Accountability Plan and Strategic Plan priorities. Lead innovative initiatives leveraging technology to support remote learning, intervention tracking, and IEP management. Perform other duties as assigned to meet the objectives of the district and support student achievement. Education and Experience Master's degree in Special Education, Educational Administration, or related field. Minimum five (5) years of successful teaching or service experience in special education or a related field. Experience providing leadership, coaching, or program coordination in special education programs preferred. Certificates, Licenses & Registrations Valid California Teaching Credential or Pupil Personnel Services Credential. Valid California Administrative Credential. Valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge & Abilities Knowledge of:

Regulatory Frameworks:

Federal and state special education laws (IDEA, Section 504), SELPA procedures, and "legally defensible" IEP standards.

Instructional Innovation:

Evidence-based practices, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), trauma-informed care, and inclusive educational models.

Systems Management:

Budgeting, resource allocation, program evaluation methods, and data analytics.

Technological Tools:

Modern office systems, Assistive Technology (AT), and student information systems for compliance and instruction.

Ability to:

Lead & Evaluate:

Effectively supervise, train, and evaluate a multidisciplinary team of certificated and classified staff.

Communicate & Mediate:

Facilitate collaborative problem-solving, conflict resolution, and clear communication with diverse educational partners.

Analyze & Execute:

Translate complex data into actionable program improvements and prepare comprehensive narrative/statistical reports.

Prioritize:

Manage multiple complex projects and legal deadlines with a high degree of independence. Physical Demands Frequent sitting; occasional walking, standing, and travel between sites.

Visual requirements:

close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment. Ability to hear conversations in quiet and moderately noisy environments. Reasonable accommodations available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Work Environment Work occurs primarily in offices and school sites, with moderate noise levels. Travel between sites required. Reasonable accommodations are made for employees with disabilities. • The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Pay:

$60,810.00 - $70,493.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Health savings account Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person