Lookout Academy Hiring for Education Assessment Specialist Job at Golden, CO Full Time

JOB TITLE: Education Assessment Specialist

REPORTS TO: Principal

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JOB SUMMARY: This position exists to administer achievement, vocational, transitional, and other appropriate education assessments to committed youth, to analyze and interpret results and to provide a written report with recommendations; and to serve as the education representative on the assessment/education team. Collaborates with specialists regarding special needs not covered by educational assessments. Determines which diagnostic tools to be administered. Site coordinator for all state assessments as well as DYS Education Assessments, to include but not limited to, STAR, NWEA, WorkKeys, GED, etc.). Acts as Special Education Teacher in reviewing IEP needs and holds appropriate Special Education staffing and represents education at Multidisciplinary Team meetings. Strong time management skills are essential for this position.
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JOB DUTIES:
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A.

Duty: Education Assessment Services

50%

Administers evidenced-based and norm referenced tools to assess a student’s academic ability and achievement, vocational aptitude, transition needs, and language ability will be utilized. Collaborates with specialists regarding special needs not covered by educational assessments. Determines which diagnostic tools to be administered. Site coordinator for all state assessments as well as DYS Education Assessments, to include but not limited to, STAR, NWEA, WorkKeys, GED, etc.). In the event an assessment proctor is unavailable, this position will be responsible for assessing youth.
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• Analyzes and interprets test results, integrates findings, and correlates assessment components to draw meaningful conclusions. Generates this data, such as test scores used in reports, and then interprets the findings.

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• Schedule and prioritize assessments based on student needs and timelines, including proctoring the assessments in the event an assessment proctor is not available.*

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• Utilize and maintain google doc data tracking systems to include uploading completed education assessment reports and site based monthly tracking sheet. (The tracking documents will be provided by Education Central Office)*

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• Reviews the Education Assessment Guidelines / Child Find Process, assessment policies, Special Education Comprehensive Manual, Special Education Guidelines, and implementing procedures annually*

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• Provides relevant education information in advance of the MDT meeting to stakeholders*

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• Enter the following information into TRAILS: IEP information, MDT results, testing results, and SASID numbers*

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• Determine testing needs and schedule (which tests to give and when). This requires judgment in interviewing students relevant to their readiness, their ability to function best in the morning or evening, and the level of difficulty they may find the assessment content.*

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• Collaborate and monitor the assessment proctor, if applicable. *

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• Presence, severity and corrective/compensatory measures which may be taken for hearing and vision deficits, such as referral for specialized exam, classroom and communication procedures.

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• Works with a team and/or specialist to make a determination of any language barriers or disabilities of the youth, using the assessments administered.

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• Collaboration with teachers and observe students in class when necessary.*

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• Communicates assessment findings directly to client managers, parents, service providers, school districts, and special education personnel.

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• Collaborate with all stakeholders during the assessment process to include clinical, medical, and others as necessary.*

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• Meet and interview all youth participating in the assessment process

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• Familiar with and implement special education operating procedures within the facility

• Administer and Interpret the WIDA as necessary*

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• Site administrator and maintain necessary proctor certification for GED testing and services, including maintaining all of the system updates and integrity of the testing location.*

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• School Assessment Coordinator for all state required testing

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In performing this duty, provide examples of typical problems or challenges encountered by this position, and the guidance used to resolve the problem.
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• The location of the GED assessment as well as the GED program updates will require ongoing oversight by this position. This will require collaboration and proactive planning with OIT to ensure the integrity of assessment environments are preserved. This can be a time consuming process that requires computer skills and knowledge, troubleshooting, and attention to detail.*

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• When a testing proctor is not available at the youth services center, this position is expected to provide the proctoring of assessment.*

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• Proactive planning to ensure assessments are completed on time despite changes in school schedule, holidays, or unforeseen circumstances. The Education Specialist will need to make arrangements to complete the testing at a different time, in another building, or with staff support, in order to continue to meet their deadlines. They will also continue to work on improved communication with school staff regarding various schedules.*

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• In the event of inconsistent results within the testing, the specialist would collaborate and consult with other professionals to learn more information about the student’s strengths and weaknesses.*

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• Informal testing results may be inconclusive or indicate an additional need for testing. The specialist would collaborate and request other professionals to administer formal assessments in the required areas of need.*

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• May need to follow up with outside agencies to obtain previous assessment results when files received are incomplete. The Education Specialist will need to make collaborative connections with regional staff making the original records request, as well as with identified contacts within those outside agencies which served the students previously.

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B.

Duty: Special Education

25%

Obtains and reviews student files and extracts relevant information, interviews students, and contacts former schools and employers to summarize students’ educational history for all new DYC committed youth. Develops and completes IEPs for students, for the special education process, to include meetings, determination of eligibility, annual reviews of services, transitions needs and education goals for each eligible student (i.e. Transfers, Annuals and/or Prior Written Notice & Consent to Evaluate to begin the Re-Evaluation / Special Evaluation process).
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Specific examples of regular, ongoing decisions made by this position related to this duty.*

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• Determination of possible presence of disabilities, professional judgment about specific subtests to administer based on the nature of the disability, and how such disabilities may impact the student educationally in the future.*

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• Data Collection and review of records for the special education transfer process*

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• Complete all special education required documents and enter information into Frontline including the Communication log*

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• If applicable, update behavioral plans and transition plans in accordance with federal and state special education requirements in collaboration with the school based mental health professional. *

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• Completes transfers of IEPs as well as all documents that go along with the transfer process, if applicable*

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• Consults and collaborates with Special Education Building Coordinator *

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• Proficient use of Frontline

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• Ensuring that appropriate special education services are being offered and that the special education paperwork adequately documents services and communication between parents and school.

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• Exploring the student’s vocational interests for transition age students in special education*

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• Communicate with the site Registrar regarding I.C. Special Education Status*

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• Ability to supervise more than 1 more student at a time

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In performing this duty, provide examples of typical problems or challenges encountered by this position, and the guidance used to resolve the problem.
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• Not getting records from schools, placements, etc. in a timely manner. The Education Specialist will continue to complete their work to the best of their ability without the previous records, and document their efforts to obtain the information.*

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• Receiving IEPs that are expired or out of compliance can pose a challenge. The Education Specialist will need to complete their work to the best of their ability with the information available. Cognizant of timelines and flexibility are essential elements of this position.

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C.

Duty: Site Trainer & Committees

20%
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Monitor best practices, normed testing, evidence-based strategies, and current education trends to support site based training or professional development. Attends scheduled meetings with Education for professional training and communication.
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• Member of the MTSS team if schedules allows*

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• Communicate educational findings to offer specific, effective interventions *

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• Member of site data team, if applicable*

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Thorough knowledge of all federal, state, and local mandates for special education and Section 504 services; Strong oral and written communication skills; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, treatment staff, DYC staff, parents, students, teachers, support staff and associates. Able to handle confidential information discreetly and professionally; exceptional public relations/interpersonal skills to respond to parents and advocacy groups; effective management, supervisory, team-building, and problem solving skills. Professionalism, adherence to policies / procedures and teamwork coupled with a positive attitude in the quest for continuous improvement is essential.
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• Train education staff on the location of and information on the Education Assessment Forms*

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• Work in collaboration with the principal on assessment and data collection in the classroom*

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• Train on the current assessment programs, such as but not limited to STAR, NWEA, WorkKeys, BRI, CORE, and Naviance*

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• Input Assessment info into Infinite Campus and Google Doc Folder (Team Drive)

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Provide specific examples of regular, ongoing decisions made by this position related to this duty.
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• Recommendations for academic and behavior interventions; This requires diagnostic skills, an ability to interpret testing behaviors and scores, and professional judgment.

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• Determine if scores are a result of academic weakness, inconsistent school attendance, lack of effort, speech/language disabilities or lack of English language acquisition, lack of developmental stimulation, and/or other potential issues. Assess the degree to which any of the above impact the youth’s learning.

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In performing this duty, provide examples of typical problems or challenges encountered by this position, and the guidance used to resolve the problem.
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• In order to meet the needs of our diverse adult learners, training may need to be held multiple times in various modalities. *

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• Sustainable systems must be created that are not person dependent. Articulated processes in a central location, such as a folder within the Team Drive, for site based protocols.*

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QUALIFICATIONS: Legal requirements of this position include possessing a current Colorado teaching license as a special education teacher. Other special qualifications include: working knowledge of special education, including rules, regulations and procedural safeguards, as well as the need to develop a functional end product for students; being professionally and/or legally qualified to administer and interpret educational assessments for special education purposes; having knowledge of best practices, evidence-based strategies, and current education trends to serve as an expert on the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
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EXPERIENCE: Must be a minimum of 21 years of age. A minimum of five years of direct instruction in a formalized school environment. Two years supervisory experience in an academic or facility school setting preferred.
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Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 – $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Effective September 20, 2021, this position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. New employees will be required to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination within thirty (30) business days of hire.

Education:

• Bachelor’s (Preferred)

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)
• Special education: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Teaching Certification (Required)

Work Location: One location