This is a fully grant-funded position. Employment is contingent on annual grant funding.

Classification: Admin/Prof

Exemption Status/Test: Exempt/Professional

Job Grade: 5
Department: Special Education

Reports To: Director

Job Goal: 

Provide targeted, timely supports to Local Education Agencies (LEAs), as well as manage data and projects that have the potential for high impact, replication, and scaling in the field of special education services.

Qualifications:

Education

Master’s degree

Certification

Texas educator certificate with required special education endorsements or professional license/certificate in a related field

Experience

1. Five years of special education experience as an educator and/or administrator, with quantifiable and clear results for student achievement
2. Experience in coordination among general education and special education programs to ensure cohesive services for students with disabilities
3. Demonstrated ability to analyze data effectively to inform decision-making about necessary change
4. Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership in a supervisory or administrative role
5. Demonstrated ability to align programs to support high achievement for students with disabilities
6. Demonstrated ability to develop and manage the implementation of complex, multi-phase projects
7. Experience developing and providing professional development
8. Experience leading collaborative teams
9. Experience providing instructional coaching

Special Knowledge and Skills

1. Skill in: long-term planning and project management, tracking progress, analytical thinking, conceptual thinking, root cause analysis; adult learning and professional development design and delivery; highly professional written and verbal communication skills
2. Ability to: analyze data and utilize input from a diverse group of stakeholders to determine professional development, programs, products, and services to meet the needs of LEAs; assist in setting challenging goals to reach a high standard of performance despite barriers, demonstrate initiative and persistence in doing more than is expected or required in order to accomplish a challenging task; holds self and others accountable for performance as a member of a high functioning team; act with a purpose that impacts and positively influences the perceptions, thinking, and actions of others
3. Knowledge of: evidence-based instructional processes for struggling learners; leadership skills and personnel management; broad-based knowledge in rules and regulations related to special education; broad-based knowledge of effective practices for providing students with disabilities access to the general curriculum

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Doctorate
2. Mid-management or Supervisory Certificate

Major Responsibilities:

1. Serve as a team member in the data analysis and implementation of targeted strategies to support LEAs to ensure an immediate impact on serving students with disabilities
2. Serve as a team member in the alignment of general education and special education programs/services of area LEAs to ensure the advancement of the achievement of students with disabilities
3. Serve as a team member and Liaison among local LEAs, ESC 4 and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to identify statewide and region-specific high leverage and high impact opportunities in the area of special education
4. Successfully embed Design Thinking and 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX) processes to meet goals outlined in ESC Special Education Liaison Grant performance measures 1 and 2.
5. Working primarily with LEA special education and campus leaders, increase the knowledge, skills, and motivation of LEA teams to analyze data relevant to students receiving special education services and supports; identify a problem; reflect critically on end-user input, root causes and potential solutions; create a plan for improvement that includes sustainability of progress; and maintain a cadence of internal accountability.
6. Working primarily with LEA special education and campus leaders, identify target LEA needs relevant to students receiving special education services and supports and connect them to supports and resources that effectively meet those needs.
7. Deliver or facilitate regional professional development and support to LEAs regarding special education monitoring procedures and expectations, including review preparation and post- review follow-up, in coordination with TEA’s Department of Review & Support; and participate in certification requirements with TEA’s Leaders and Educators Addressing Disproportionality in Special Education (LEADS) initiative, including training sessions with grantee, training sessions with LEAs, and other duties as assigned (e.g. pre-work, debrief sessions, attending coaching sessions).
8. Prioritize, protect, and attend all required ESC Liaison week activities and participate in feedback loops and collaborative activities that connect policy and practice statewide. A maximum of three (3) Austin-week days may be missed for reasons other than personal leave with advanced approval from TEA grant program manager. These days are not required to be consecutive
9. Complete one (1) observation that aligns to essential functions and follow-up debrief 

Performance Measures
ESSENTIAL FUNCTION #1: 80% of LEAs engaged in tailored support and assistance with ESC Liaisons show evidence of adequate improvement in targeted areas.
Activities:

1. Assess and agree to the support and assistance to be made available to each individual site and/or collectively to a number of sites.
2. Schedule virtual and onsite meetings based on the goals of the team and stakeholders.
3. Tailor support based on needs of the team and systems stakeholders.
4. Assess the effectiveness of the level of support in meeting needs, goals, and context of the implementation effort.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION #2: 80% of LEAs who engage in a reciprocal relationship with ESC Liaisons show evidence that connections are meeting intended needs.
Activities:

1. Connect individuals or groups by providing advice and serving as a relational resources.
2. Maintain ongoing communication with people or groups whose connections are vital for the success of the implementation efforts.
3. Assess the effectiveness of connections in meeting the intent of the implementation efforts.

Supervision/Personnel Management

None

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/ Mental Demands:

Frequent use of standard office equipment; prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting; repetitive hand motions (keyboarding and use of mouse); occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 20 pounds); may work prolonged and irregular hours; significant regional and statewide travel (1 week/month in Austin); work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under pressure.