Related Services Coordinator (Full Time) - Central Office

POSITION OVERVIEW: Related Services Coordinator (Full Time) - Central Office
Portland Public Schools serves a diverse student population of approximately 6,500 students across 17 schools. This includes approximately 1,200 students with IEPs, many of whom receive related services such as speech, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. The Related Services Coordinator will directly support and provide shared supervision of our SLP, OT, and PT teams, as well as oversee our school psychologist team. A successful candidate will have a demonstrated passion for special education, and a deep commitment to positive school outcomes for all students.

The Related Services Coordinator will be responsible for developing and implementing a consistent vision for related services within PPS. They must be able to manage highly detailed work and collaborate effectively with staff and leaders across the district. It requires impeccable organizational and communication skills, and strong knowledge of best practices around delivering these services in the public school setting.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

+ Oversight of Speech, OT, PT, and Psychology Team

• Lead regular team meetings for each provider group
• Create yearly provider assignments, based on projected caseload numbers
• Monitor provider caseloads throughout the year and make adjustments as needed
• Manage the budgets for related services, including submitting appropriate purchase requests for final approval from department leaders
• Oversee the day to day work of any contracted providers hired by the district
• Lead the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes for new providers
• Ensure provider compliance with all MaineCare billing procedures

• Create and maintain guidance and best practices around related service evaluation and provision in the public school context
• Create and maintain guidance on best practices around psychological evaluation in the public school context
• Documented and communicate guidance so that it is accessible to all stakeholders (special education staff, general education staff, building leaders, families) as appropriate

+ Staff Training and Support

• Observe and evaluate providers, in collaboration with building administrators
• Conduct regular visits and observations to assess
• Facilitate professional development opportunities for providers that are aligned with district practices
• Provide professional development opportunities for school staff around related services that facilitate improved collaboration with providers and understanding

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Equity orientation: Exhibits self-awareness around implicit bias, privilege, and issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Holds self and others accountable for supporting the district's goal of becoming an anti-racist organization, and willing to engage in self-inquiry and personal growth around these issues. Has high expectations for ALL students, especially students with exceptionalities.
• Mission aligned: Demonstrates alignment with the Portland Promise goals and values.

• Special education expertise: Understands the continuum of supports and services available for all students, low-incidence disabilities, and needs for students in district specialized programs and students in out of district placements. Has thorough knowledge of Maine State Department of Education and Portland Public Schools policies, regulations, and procedures, Maine Unified Special Education Regulations, as well as federal and state legislation relating to the provision of student support services. Has knowledge of current trends and issues related to interagency services.
• Communicator: Is able to distill the most important information to convey to others in order to advance goals, and can determine the best methods for communicating based on message and audience. Can break things down for others to easily internalize. Has a general orientation towards transparency and proactive, explicit communication. Is highly responsive.
• Relationship builder: Has the ability to build strong, trusting relationships with a diverse group of people, including teachers, administrators, parents, and external partners.
• Collaborator: Is a highly effective collaborator. Orients towards spotting people’s ideas, strengths, and bright spots, and bringing those to the surface for others to learn from. Makes others feel engaged and that they have ownership of the work.
• Developer: Is a coach. Has great instincts around how to coach and develop others, including administrators, teachers, and support staff. Has experience developing people to change their practice. Is comfortable and adept at giving feedback and designing high impact training.
• Is an awesome teammate: Brings new strengths and perspectives to the Student Support Services and Academic teams. Seeks out opportunities to learn from colleagues and to support teammates. Takes ownership of own work and the team’s success.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience and licensing/certification in Speech, OT, PT, or School Psychology highly preferred; special education or administrative certification combined with experience overseeing related services will be considered
• Master's degree in Speech, OT, PT, school psychology, special education, educational leadership, or other related field from an accredited college or university
• Two years of administrator or other significant leadership experience
• Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Light physical effort required; significant stamina required to handle long days
• Attendance at some evening meetings required
• Ability to manage stressful situations
• Extensive district-wide travel required

• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info)
• [Preferred] Certification / licensin in Speech, OT, PT, or School Psychology

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: N/A

• Year-round position
• Permanent
• Full Time, 1.0 FTE
• Reports to Director of Specialized Programs
• Not eligible for overtime
• Non-represented

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Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.