Special Education Coordinator

TITLE: Special Education Coordinator

WHO WE ARE:

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is a student-focused, innovative educational organization

committed to academic excellence. Our mission is to empower and educate all students to think

critically, creatively, and responsibly, to embrace diversity, and to pursue their dreams with a

purpose. We are a family of excellent public schools in which every student has the opportunity to

succeed and the power to create their own future.

Led by forward-thinking leadership and our commitment to prioritizing students, racial equity, and

authentic engagement with our families, team members, and communities, our staff have diverse

opportunities to develop their careers in a challenging but rewarding environment. We are an

organization for people who are passionate about education and who are committed to the

Indianapolis community.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY:

We are looking for an administrator who will positively impact student success by planning,

carrying out, evaluating, and supervising instructional activities. Our administrators play a key

role in ensuring that our schools receive support. As a member of the Unified Student Supports

(USS) Team, you will receive excellent benefits, opportunities to grow within your role and the

organization, and collaborative and supportive colleagues who put students first.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

The following outlines what your core duties and responsibilities will be for this position and

provides a sample overview of what your day-to-day may look like.

Core Duties and Responsibilities
• Provide direct managerial support, in partnership with school leaders and Learning

Community Directors, to the daily work of special education and student service

programming, ensuring adherence to established special education policies, procedures,

and standards
• Work in collaboration with the EDS, Learning Community Directors, and Principals in

resolving school-based concerns and problems as they arise with special programming
• Assist Learning Community staff and school principals in setting and attaining goals for

student achievement
• Attend RDA meetings and work collaboratively to support schools to increase student

achievement
• Create and implement a system to provide their assigned schools a platform to discuss,

strategize and problem solve students who are struggling to progress with their current

supports provided through their Individualized Education Plan
• Assist in the coordination and articulation of the district’s special education programs and

services across and between grade levels in their Learning Community
• Conduct routine on-site visits of assigned schools in the learning community
• Provide specific feedback, support, and suggestions to principals to strengthen teaching

and learning for students
• Provide technical assistance to principals in working with marginal teachers and staff
• Assist principals with decision-making and problem-solving as it pertains to intensive

programming
• Other duties as assigned

“Day In the Life” Overview

On a regular day, as the Special Education Coordinator, you might:
• Support principals in special education and student services human resource management,

including recruiting, retaining, and developing staff
• Work with the principals and other USS Staff to review their data and help them link

best practices and materials to standards and Individual Education Plans
• Assist principals in the development of appropriate professional development programs

for staff
• Work with Principals and Learning Community Directors to resolve difficult special

education situations quickly and effectively between schools and parents that are not

resolvable at the school level

WHAT YOU’ll BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS

As an ideal candidate for this role, you will be able to achieve the following:
• Working knowledge of federal and state special education laws, rules, and practices

including IDEA and Article 7
• Broad knowledge of Indiana and IPS special education policies, practices and programs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong strategic analytical and writing

capabilities, and interpersonal savvy
• anticipates conflicts before they rise, results/action-orientation; project management skills
• Displays a racial equity mindset and other critical indicators related to DEI
• Organizational agility; developed negotiation skills
• Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, diversity and trust
• Ability to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced

environment. Ability to be creative in developing alternatives to meet IPS Instructional

needs
• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of

people
• Works well independently as well as collaboratively
• Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgment
• Ability to execute meetings, calls, and emails with professionalism, courtesy, and accuracy
• Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to several tasks to ensure completion of all

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
• Hold or eligible for Indiana administrator and/or director license
• Special Education certification
• Master’s degree in Education Administration
• 3 to 5 years of experience as a practitioner and 3 to 5 years of experience as a school

assistant principal

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:

Eligible per supervisor’s discretion as duties allow

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements 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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing

the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk

or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally

required to sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must

occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include

close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EEOC STATEMENT:

Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate

in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color,

religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy,

veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,

marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally

recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances.

Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation,

threat, or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or

work.

DISCLAIMER:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the

above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only, and is

not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this

position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job

descriptions, but are an essential function.

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