Out-Of-District Placement Specialist - C133-2324

POSTING NUMBER: C133-2324

POSTING DATE: December 1, 2023

CLOSING DATE: December 14, 2023

POSITION: Out-of-District Placement Specialist

REPORTS TO: Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services

PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Out-of-District Placement Specialist works collaboratively with central office and school staff to achieve positive student outcomes and optimize operational efficiency in the implementation of board of education policy, and state and federal regulatory guidelines, related to the delivery of special education services to students with disabilities served in general education and special education settings.

The Out-of-District Placement Specialist must have knowledge of teaching and learning processes, inclusive educational practices, Universal Design for Learning principles, special education service delivery continuum, specially designed instruction, specialized instructional services (related services), and knowledge of mild to complex student learning and behavioral needs and interventions.

The Out-of-District Placement Specialist collaborates with Directors of Special Education and school teams to observe and analyze mild to complex student learning and behavioral needs and is part of an integrated team that works collaboratively to problem-solve, help design, and support school teams in implementing student IEPs and providing supports and interventions to remove barriers to learning improve outcomes for Hartford Public School students with disabilities. When supported by data, the Out-of-District Placement Specialist is responsible for the appropriate placement, progress monitoring, and case management of Hartford Public School special education students in private educational programs outside the Hartford School District. The Out-of-District Placement Specialist is responsible for collaborating with district Directors of Special Education to facilitate, plan for and support the successful transition of students back to Hartford Public schools.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Researches and recommends appropriate out-of-district educational environments for students not limited to those whose data demonstrates a need for restrictive and highly specialized settings due to needs and whose data demonstrates need for frequency, intensity and duration of individualized services.
• Reviews student data, information and records to determine the most appropriate out of district program for that student.
• Ensure the students’ medical records are sent to Support Service and that all immunizations are current.
• Referrals to outside educational facilities-generally two or more per student-seeking placement are then made.
• Communicates and arranges for pre-placement interviews between parents and out-of-district placement facilities
• Provides assistance to families to attend these pre-placement visits and interviews.
• Arranges students’ transportation needs upon acceptance.
• Schedules, convenes, and facilitates placement PPT within four to six weeks of placement to monitor educational and related services, assess the student’s adjustment to his/her new educational program and to review and/or revise the IEP.
• Schedules, convenes, and facilitates PPT meetings for students that are placed residentially by either DCF or the Juvenile Justice System.
• Schedules, convenes, and facilitates PPT meetings for students who are hospitalized for emotional or other similar reasons an educational program after the 10th day of inpatient stay.
• Schedules, convenes, and facilitates PPT meetings for the purpose of Annual Reviews and Triennial reevaluations.
• Ensures that the transition to an in-system school or another out-of-district facility is accomplished with speed and efficiency with all pertinent records.
• Arranges for the student to be placed in an educational program if not being placed in-district.
• Collaborates in and/or leads the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which will support the District’s strategic plan.
• Manifests a professional code of ethics and values.
• Responds to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous and empathetic manner representing HPS in a positive light.
• Models the routine, intentional and effective use of technology in daily work, including communications, organization and management tasks.
• Collaborates with Directors of Special Education to observe and analyze complex student learning and behavioral needs, to collaboratively problem-solve, design and support school teams in implementing supports and interventions to remove barriers to learning and mitigate out-of-district placements for students with disabilities in the Director’s portfolio of schools.
• Performing additional tasks as assigned by the Executive Director of Student Support Services.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in working with school systems, central office and public and private agencies.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, teachers, staff members, students and community agencies.
• Bilingual, Spanish/English speaking, preferred.
• Strong orientation toward urban school systems, preferred
• Knowledge of Federal and State Special Education Legislation and Laws

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Current Connecticut Certification in Special Education

SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 10-month work year. Salary Grid in accordance with HFT contract*; Appendix E. Extended Day 6.7% (8 Hour Day) and Extended Year 16% (25 Additional Work Days)

UNION AFFILIATION: Hartford Federation of Teachers (HFT)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application, which can be accessed through our Applicant Tracking System, Nimble, at https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford. Internal applicants should use a personal email address when applying. Please do not use your hartfordschools.org email. Candidates’ application and supporting documents will be reviewed. Candidates who advance through the initial review will be notified and placed in the pool for consideration by hiring managers. Candidates will be contacted directly by hiring managers for interviews.