POSITION OVERVIEW: Pre-K Special Education Case Manager - System Wide, 25-26 SY
Portland Public Schools is seeking a highly qualified Pre-K Special Education Case Manager. The Pre-K Case Manager will assist PPS Pre-K students and their families as they move through the process of referral, child find, eligibility and determination of an Individualized Education Program. The case manager is responsible for coordinating Child Find, making referrals to Child Development Services, completing educational evaluations as needed, scheduling meetings, and writing related special education documents such as advanced written notices for IEP meetings. The PreK case manager will work closely with Child Development Services staff to support successful transition meetings for Prek students as they enter and exit PreK with PPS.
The Pre-K Case Manager will work as a part of a team to meet the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) for Part B and the Maine Unified Special Education Regulations, Chapter 101. This individual does not have written authorization to commit the agency’s funds.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
+ Parent Communication - Establishes effective rapport with parents.
- Communicates program information to parents.
- Ensures that the Child Find process is explained to parents.
- Ensures that parents receive answers to their questions.
- Informs families of the protections under the procedural safeguards of the MUSER.
- Assists with the development of a transition plan from preschool to public school services, as appropriate
- Works closely with the Multilingual Department staff in order to communicate with parents in their home language
+ Child Find Process - Performs initial intake and when appropriate, screening of children by using screening tools and coordinating play groups
- Coordinates with referral source when authorization from the parent(s) is granted.
- Refers children to CDS for evaluation and/or reviews other options with parents.
+ Evaluation and Assessment - Ensures that intake information is collected and elicits relevant additional information from parents and team members
- Ensures that the team is adequately prepared for evaluation and assessment activities
- Conducts observations in the Least Restrictive Environment as appropriate
- Gathers and reviews documentation specific to the child’s developmental history
- Ensures that all procedural timelines for evaluations are met in accordance with MUSER regulations and CDS policies and procedures
+ IEP Team - Ensures that screening and assessment findings are reported to the team
- Informs parents of the protections under the procedural safeguards of the Maine Special Education regulations
- Documents information shared in IEP meetings to be included in Written Notices
- Assists with the development of transition plans from preschool to public school services, as appropriate
+ Coordination of Services - Schedules all IEP meetings in collaboration with CDS (acting as the LEA) and all required team members
- Facilitates/coordinates services with IEP Team members, contracted agencies, and community partners
- Develops rapport with the service provider to create open communication and enhance good relations
- Serves as the single point of contact between the CDS system in helping parents to obtain the services and assistance the student requires
- Facilitates, coordinates and monitors the timely delivery of available services
- Ensures that all procedural timelines for IEP implementation are met in accordance with MUSER regulations and CDS policies and procedures
+ Educational Records - Ensures that communication (i.e. personal contacts, e-mail, letters, phone calls, etc.) is documented as it occurs
- Maintains documentation appropriate to procedural safeguards under IDEA 2004 and MUSER
- Ensures that evaluations and observations are documented
- Provides information for, or completes data entry and electronic documentation tasks necessary to meet CDS and Department requirements
+ Other - Performs any other appropriate duties as assigned by the departments of PreKindergarten Education and/or Student Support Services at Portland Public Schools
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS:
- Working knowledge of child development, disabilities, family systems, and special education law and practice
- Knowledge and understanding of preschool children who are eligible under Part B of IDEA 2004 and MUSER
- Ability to interact with a wide variety of people
- Ability to effectively communicate, orally and in writing
- Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations
- Ability to establish an effective rapport with children and parents
- Ability to work collaboratively as a member of an IEP team
- Ability to travel to a variety of Portland School Buildings
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to multitask
- Ability to use a computer to maintain electronic records
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace
CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- A Maine State Teaching Certificate Certificate with one of the following endorsements:
- Special Education Consultant (079)
- Teacher of Students with Disabilities (282)
- Teacher of Students with Disabilities, Birth to Age 5 (282B)
- Teacher of Students with Severe Impairments (286)
- Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (291)
- Teacher of Students with Hearing Impairments (292)
- Successful background, criminal records, fingerprinting, and reference checks
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:
- School-year position
- Permanent
- Full Time, 1.0 FTE
- Salaried position, not eligible for overtime
- Covered under the PEA contract (see 2022-2025 CBA here: contract currently under negotiation as of May 2025)
- Salary based on education and experience, as outlined in CBA
- Eligible for benefits as outlined here (may not be updated with 25-26 plan information or $ amounts)
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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.