Job Description:

Employment Type:

Full-time

Base Salary:

$77,303.00

Calendar:

Certified Exempt, 261 workdays

Benefits:

Vacation, sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New Hire Experience:

$500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experience

New Hire Education:

$65/hour of graduate level credits: BA +45 hours max, MA +60 hours max $1000 for advanced degrees

Job Summary:

The Special Education Specialist supports students with disabilities in junior high schools and high schools, under the direction of the Secondary Special Education Director.

Key Responsibilities:

This section outlines the primary duties and key responsibilities required for this role, detailing the essential tasks and functions necessary to perform the job successfully, with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Participates in IEP meetings as the district representative to facilitate the IEP process and assists teams in reaching consensus, allocating district resources, and reviewing data
• Provides support to school teams in compliance, effective instructional practices, and behavioral interventions as assigned by the secondary director
• Works with department chairs and site leaders to coordinate the transition of students from elementary to junior high school and junior high to high school
• Coordinates class lists for transitioning secondary students
• Serves as liaison for students in private school settings by monitoring progress, attending meetings as the district representative, and responding to parent communication about placements
• Monitors and provides follow-up activities related to IEP implementation for assigned students
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

 To be eligible for this position, an applicant must meet the following required qualifications. Verification of these required qualifications is necessary. 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree special education, psychology, or related field
• Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction or related field preferred
• Current Arizona teaching certificate with a Special Education certificate

 Experience:

• Minimum five years successful classroom teaching experience
• Three years of successful leadership experience at the school or district level within a special education program preferred
• Experience in coordinating special education services, compliance with laws like IDEA, and implementing school-wide inclusion programs
• Experience working with various disabilities, creating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams

 Skills & Competencies:

This section outlines the critical skills and competencies required to excel in this role, enabling effective performance, adaptability, and consistent achievement of job responsibilities.

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Knowledge and understanding of effective strategies for instructing diverse learners
• Knowledge and understanding of the purpose and specifics of core, supplemental, and intervention programs
• Knowledge and understanding of a variety of assessment methods/tools
• Knowledge and skills in areas such as mentoring, instruction, assessments, and peer coaching
• Working knowledge of district, state, and federal special education rules, regulations, and procedures
• Possess a strong commitment to continuous improvement supporting the MPS mission and strategic plan
• Effective communication, planning, organization, presentation, and leadership skills; ability to work with and motivate others
• Experience working with site-based teams
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with teachers, administrators, and parents
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently without constant supervision and under stressful timelines

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

This section outlines the critical skills and competencies required to excel in this role, enabling effective performance, adaptability, and consistent achievement of job responsibilities

• School environment primarily in classrooms, offices, or conference rooms within a high school
• Typically follows the school calendar with Monday to Friday, 8-hour days
• May occasionally require after-hours for parent meetings, IEP reviews, or professional development
• Managing schedules, compliance deadlines, student crises, and teacher support can be demanding
• Standing or sitting for extended periods during meetings, workshops, or teaching observations
• Frequent movement between classrooms, offices, and meeting spaces throughout the school day
• Occasional lifting of materials or equipment (e.g., laptops, teaching supplies) weighing up to 20-30 pounds

 Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:  

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.