POSITION TITLE:      Special Education Specialist

PAY RANGE:             $51,500 - $89,000 DOE

LOCATION:                District Office in Dillingham, AK

REPORTS TO:           Director of Special Education

OPENING DATE:       October 2, 2026

SPECIAL EDUCATION SPECIALIST

POSITION SUMMARY

The Special Education Specialist provides districtwide leadership, technical assistance, training, and instructional support to promote high-quality special education services and compliance with state and federal requirements. This position supports special education staff through coaching, assessment, program development, compliance monitoring, and professional development while also providing itinerant special education services to three assigned school sites, including case management, IEP development and implementation, progress monitoring, and direct and consultative student services.

QUALIFICATIONS

·       Alaska Type A Initial, Professional, or Master Teacher Certificate required.

·       Special Education endorsement required.

·       Experience providing special education services, developing and implementing IEPs, and supporting students with disabilities preferred.

·       Knowledge of state and federal special education requirements, assessment practices, interventions, and evidence-based instructional practices preferred.

·       Ability to travel to rural school sites as required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.     Maintains competency in areas of certification and assignment and remains current with state and federal special education laws, regulations, professional standards, and evidence-based practices.

2.     Reviews and monitors Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Evaluation Summary and Eligibility Reports (ESERs), evaluations, progress reports, and other special education documentation to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements and required timelines.

3.     Provides guidance, technical assistance, coaching, and mentoring to special education teachers, paraprofessionals, general education staff, administrators, and other personnel supporting students with disabilities.

4.     Provides itinerant special education teacher services to three assigned school sites, including case management, direct and consultative student services, IEP development and implementation, progress monitoring, and instructional support.

5.     Conducts or assists with appropriate academic, cognitive, behavioral, and other assessments; interprets results; develops recommendations; and supports teams through evaluation and eligibility determination processes.

6.     Supports the development and implementation of specialized instruction, accommodations, modifications, interventions, and progress-monitoring practices designed to address individual student needs and provide meaningful access to educational programs.

7.     Provides leadership and technical assistance in the development and implementation of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), behavioral interventions, de-escalation strategies, and other behavioral supports.

8.     Plans and facilitates districtwide and site-based professional development and training related to special education compliance, instructional practices, assessment, interventions, behavior support, accommodations, modifications, and other identified areas of need.

9.     Collaborates with principals, general education teachers, special education staff, counselors, related service providers, families, and other professionals to coordinate appropriate educational programs and services for students with disabilities.

10.  Assists in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of district special education policies, procedures, programs, and practices to support district goals and compliance with state and federal requirements.

11.  Supports special education data collection, record keeping, database maintenance, required reporting, timeline monitoring, and preparation for state or federal monitoring activities and audits.

12.  Supports and participates in Child Find, Section 504, transition planning, related services, and other district special education processes as assigned.

13.  Provides leadership and support for district intervention processes and tiered systems of academic and behavioral support, including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Data Review and Intervention Planning (DRIP), and assists school teams in using student data to guide instructional and intervention decisions.

14.  Recognizes the unique needs of rural Alaska schools and supports culturally responsive educational practices while effectively managing time, travel, instructional resources, and available services across multiple school sites.

15.  Establishes and maintains effective and professional relationships with students, staff, families, communities, and service providers; abides by the Code of Ethics and Professional Teaching Standards adopted by the Professional Teaching Practices Commission of the State of Alaska; and performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by district administration.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Apply online using the AERRC system:

https://jobs.aerrc.org/company/27/southwest-region-school-district/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Salary placement is based on columns representing college credits earned and steps representing years of experience. Health insurance is provided with a monthly employee premium contribution. A travel benefit between Anchorage, Alaska and the assigned location is provided. More information can be found at: www.swrsd.org