Special Education Monitor For Accountability & Program Improvement 2026-27 School Year

POSITION GOAL:

The Special Education Monitor ensures compliance with all federal (IDEA) state (MARSE) and local special education laws and regulations and promotes continuous improvement of programs and services through the Michigan Department of Education-Office of Special Education. This position provides oversight guidance and technical assistance to educational agencies to support the implementation of high-quality equitable and effective special education practices. The Monitor analyzes data evaluates systems and procedures and partners with stakeholders to strengthen accountability build capacity and drive improved outcomes for students with disabilities. Through collaborative support and evidence-based decision-making this role advances meaningful access educational progress and success for all students receiving special education services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters degree (M.A.) in Special Education or equivalent.
• Full approval as a Special Education Supervisor or Director as required by the Michigan Department of Education or the ability to obtain temporary approval.
• Four to ten (4-10) years related experience and/or training.
• Preferred experience in administration.
• Responsibility of employee to obtain and maintain all training(s) certificate(s) approval(s) etc. and provide documentation to the business office before expiration date of said document(s).
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds.
• Required to have a physical presence at the designated job site each scheduled work day.
• Must have regular and reliable job attendance performance and the physical ability to do the job.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Embrace and support St. Joseph County ISDs philosophies related to diversity and inclusiveness while effectively engaging with individuals from a wide range of cultures.
2. Work to create a culture of excellence in a compassionate trustworthy and respectful manner.
3. Work to understand the impact poverty has on students families and learning and also understand the uniqueness and differences between the local districts and center-based programs of St. Joseph County.
4. Effectively present information and engage audiences.
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills including being an active listener.
6. Continual drive to solve problems in an innovative collaborative and trustworthy manner.
7. Ability to approach people situations and challenges with an open mind as well as delegate work assignments appropriately.
8. Ability and desire to seek receive and provide feedback positively to build stronger professional relationships and higher levels of performance.
9. Ability and desire to read and clearly interpret and summarize reports legislation regulations contracts and other key written materials and to analyze and apply data to support continuous improvement processes for program evaluation within St. Joseph County ISD.
10. Ability to efficiently use a computer and applicable software.
11. Develop and support innovative strategies to achieve goals.
12. Maintains confidentiality to develop high levels of trust.
13. Displays willingness to support and make decisions with sound judgment in a timely manner.
14. Persistent work ethic to perform responsibilities with excellence.
15. Adapts to frequent changes in the work environment while practicing positive safe and inclusive work habits.
16. Uses equipment and materials properly.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Collaborate with local districts center-based programs families and community partners to support proactive problem solving dispute resolution state complaint facilitation and equitable access to high-quality special education services.
2. Provide oversight guidance and communication to ensure compliance with federal state and local regulations including proactive monitoring processes that ensure FAPE educational benefit and continuous program improvement.
3. Support the development and implementation of a continuum of programs (LEA-Center-Based) and services in the least restrictive environment through proactive monitoring that meets the diverse needs of all students with disabilities and integrates special education with general education systems.
4. Serve as a communication liaison between local districts and key partners including Michigan Department of Education Region 3 professional organizations advocacy groups and community agencies ensuring timely dissemination of information and resources.
5. Understand and be able to interpret legislation rules and regulations in the context of how they relate to systems of support and outcomes for students.
6. Deliver professional development coaching and technical assistance to strengthen systems build staff capacity and promote effective inclusive practices aligned with district and school improvement efforts to ensure FAPE.
7. Know and be able to utilize the necessary data sources at the local county state and national level to support systems improvement.
8. Assist local districts and center-based programs with the activities data collection and data analysis necessary to support continuous improvement.
9. Work to align system change and improvement efforts in special education with school improvement efforts in local districts and center-based programs.
10. Collaborate with the Medicaid Coordinator regarding Medicaid service capture activities for local districts and center-based programs and communication related to Medicaid school-based services with vendors and the business office.
11. Collaborate with the Executive Assistant for Special Education Student Data Systems and Pupil Accounting to support the online special education management system student information system(s) and the data integration processes necessary between systems.
12. Assist with special education data systems and operational supports including management systems state reporting student information systems assessment coordination Medicaid service documentation and data integration processes.
13. Supervise and evaluate performance of assigned staff.
14. Maintain regular and consistent attendance.
15. Provide leadership through participation in ISD committees including Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) administrative meetings and advisory groups.
16. May need to sub in the classroom in the event there is no teacher or substitute teacher available.
17. Perform additional duties assigned by the Director of Special Education.

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Special Education

PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS: Executive Director of Special Education

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary terms and other conditions of employment established by the Board of Education.