Job Title:

TOSA - Special Programs and Services Specialist 

Job Summary:

The Special Programs and Services Specialist assists the department director and building administration in organizing and fostering a positive, safe environment that best meets the needs of all students, staff, and parents. 

Qualifications:

Professional Educator License (PEL) or eligible for the appropriate license

Minimum of five years of effective classroom/school setting experience

PEL Administrative Endorsement preferred, not required

Evaluation:

The performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on the Evaluation of Staff.

Reports to:

Director of Student Services 

Terms of Employment:

This is a 9-month position -salary and benefits established by the Board of Education. The position retains the Harvard Education Association membership and is part of the Collective Bargaining Unit.

Compensation and Benefits: 

The details of compensation and benefits for employees are comprehensively outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a document accessible at the following link: https://www.cusd50.org/page/careers. This agreement is a valuable resource for individuals seeking comprehensive information regarding our organization's remuneration and benefits structure.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assists the director by providing designated support to health services, student outplacements, building administration, and department staff. 
2. Serves on the district department team and special education building teams. May act as a liaison with other building lead meetings to ensure a systemic approach to implementation.
3. Provides leadership in the areas of IEP and 504 evaluation and development.
4. Supports classroom teachers in creating and nurturing supportive, student-centered classroom communities that promote all learners' personal empowerment, academic growth, and social-emotional well-being.
5. Provides professional development in best practices in student engagement and behavior management. Emphasis is on establishing accessible classroom environments that provide multiple representations of content for students with diverse abilities.
6. Allocates and disseminates resources appropriate to supporting various teams based on goals, resources, and student needs. 
7. Participates in a professional learning community with various stakeholders, including but not limited to instructional staff, other school personnel, parents, and various community resources, to improve the overall quality of student outcomes and achieve established classroom objectives in support of the school improvement plan and district strategic plan.
8. Assists with student outplacement coordination. 
9. Assists with articulation from one grade level to the next.  
10. Performs other duties and responsibilities determined by the Director of Student Services or designee.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Must demonstrate a record of effectiveness in their teaching
• Must have excellent planning and organization skills
• Must have the ability to work collaboratively with others 
• Must have strong verbal communication skills
• Must model a desire and willingness to learn continually

Physical Demands:

The physical demands of this position include frequent sitting and standing for extended periods. Repetitive bending at the waist, kneeling, stooping, and crouching to assist students is also required.  Regularly walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices, and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 

ADA:

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessities. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

This job description is intended to describe minimum qualifications and duties and responsibilities performed by employees assigned to this position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.  The District reserves the right to amend and change the position responsibilities to meet District needs as necessary.