Organization: St. Hope Public Schools
Job Title: Special Education Coordinator
Location: Sacramento

Posted: 11/29/07

Job Description:

Summary
St. HOPE Public Schools is seeking a Special Education Coordinator to ensure the SHPS special education program is serving the needs of students. Candidates must hold the belief that all students can achieve at high level with adequate support, resources and modifications. We are looking for an educator with the dedication and desire to go above and beyond to help our students succeed emotionally and academically.

Organization Overview
St. HOPE, founded by NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson, is a national nonprofit community development company with the mission of revitalizing inner city communities through public education, civic leadership, economic development and the arts.

Education is at the heart of our revitalization model. We believe the key is educating and empowering youth to change the landscape of their communities. St. HOPE began in 1989 as an after school program and developed into a rapidly growing community development company that currently operates a pre K-12 grade school system in Oak Park, Sacramento. In 2008, St. HOPE will expand its education model opening the New York Leadership Academy serving students in Harlem. Our schools are guided by the promise to ensure our students leave for college with the desire to serve their community and the ability to succeed academically. The Neighborhood Corp program (Hood Corp) complements our education focus by providing students the opportunity to gain valuable leadership skills while serving the community. The program educates, trains and empowers individuals of all ages to become civic leaders through community service. Hood Corps continues to grow its membership each year and has gained national recognition as a model service program.

We understand that sustainable revitalization efforts must take place from within. Our development projects draw on the culture and assets of the communities in which we work. In May 2003, St. HOPE opened the 40 Acres Art and Cultural Center, a mixed-use retail complex located in the heart of the Oak Park commercial district. Today, 40 Acres serve as a catalyst for economic and cultural renewal.

Combining the four tenants of our revitalization model has greatly benefited the Oak Park neighborhood. We are excited by the opportunity to take our model to other deserving communities throughout the United States. As a rapidly growing organization we are dependent upon attracting committed individuals to join our efforts. For more information on St. HOPE visit our website www.sthope.org.

Mission – St. HOPE Public Schools
The mission of St. HOPE Public Schools is to graduate self-motivated, industrious, and critically thinking leaders who are passionate about life-long learning and committed to serving others.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, control, and direct a variety of programs, projects, and activities related to special education.
• Work with Administration in locating and maintaining housing for special education programs and providing other services to student.
• Support Special Education Teachers with the development of student Individual Education Plans and ensure that each student’s program reflects the current IEP.
• With the assistance of General Counsel and Human Resources, represent the district in special education legal proceedings; investigate complaints, and report findings and recommendations as appropriate.
• Provide for summer school programs for special education students; assist with hiring staff, arrange locations, and transportation services, and perform related activities to set up the program.
• Perform student services activities involving special education students in areas of attendance, transfers, suspension and expulsion procedures, and other related areas.
• Provide technical expertise regarding assigned functions; formulate and develop policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement long and short-term plans and activities.
• Direct the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records, and files.
• Communicate with school leaders, other St. HOPE personnel, and contractors to coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts, and exchange information.
• In coordination with SELPA and assigned supervisors, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; interview and select employees, and recommend transfer, reassignment, termination, and disciplinary actions; plan, coordinate, and arrange for appropriate training of subordinates; initiate requisitions for positions funded by special education.
• With the assistance of the Chief Financial Officer, develop and prepare the annual budget for special education; analyze programs, and review budgetary and financial data; monitor and authorize expenditures in accordance with established guidelines.

Qualifications
We are seeking team players committed to the St. HOPE mission, high expectations and to their own professional growth.

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in education, special education, or related field; Special Education Credential (MM or MS) and Administrative Services Credential
• Proven ability to plan, organize, and direct special education programs and activities
• Possess knowledge of and the ability to interpret, apply, and explain current applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to special education programs.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing SHPS and the ability to apply them with good judgment.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Experience with budget preparation and control.
• Ability to organize workload independently and set priorities; to adapt quickly to changing priorities; and perform multiple interrelated tasks under deadline pressures.
• Proven leadership skills and experience supervising and evaluating the performance of assigned staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports.

Highly Desired (but not required):

• Teaching experience in an urban, underserved community
• Bilingual speaking, reading, and writing abilities (Spanish or Vietnamese)

Salary
SHPS offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To Apply

St. HOPE is strongly committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff. If interested in this job opening, please send a resume and cover letter via email to recruiting@sthope.org. Please specify the specific position you are applying for in the subject and body of the email.

To learn more about St. HOPE visit us online at www.sthope.org