Include Me Specialist – Central PA
A Program Specialist is responsible for supporting students with significant disabilities in regular education classrooms in their regional schools and for building inclusive practices capacity in the school district in which they are assigned. The Program Specialist will be a fully contributing member of The Arc of Pennsylvania team and oversee all related activities in assigned school districts, specifically school district inclusion assessments, research-based inclusive practices, training and technical assistance, inclusion integration, support and district wide capacity building, as well as outreach to the greater community of the participating school district and region that aligns with the goals of the Include Me program and its funders.
Responsibilities:
– Lead development and execution of supplementary aids and services that define student’s needs, opportunities, and barriers to inclusion, and ultimately provide the supports which promote standards for exemplary inclusive practice delivery in school districts assigned by the Program Director via the Program Specialist checklist used to set priorities and management of time within grant work.
– Conduct scheduled visits to assigned school districts, families outreach events, and community events. The primary focus of Include Me program specialists is to deliver the consultation, mentoring and support defined in the Include Me grant. Specialists should prioritize their time on the Include Me grant: in the field making visits to participating districts, connecting with families at community and school-based training and events, attending community outreach events, attending community activities (such as local task force meetings, parent group meetings, etc.) and on developing materials, resources, and activities that directly support the grant related consultation they are assigned to conduct (i.e., preparing examples of modified materials for a classroom teacher, providing AAC resources for a student team who communicates using alternative and/or augmentative communication, etc.).
– In the event a school goes to virtual learning, or you are assigned to a virtual public-school, the primary focus of Include Me program specialists work on the Include Me grant is to deliver the consultation, mentoring and support defined in the Include Me grant. Specialists should prioritize their time on the Include Me grant: in the field making visits to participating districts, connecting with families at community and school-based training and events, attending community outreach events, attending community activities (such as local task force meetings, local transition coordinating council meetings, parent group meetings, etc.) and on developing materials, resources, and activities that directly support the grant related consultation they are assigned to conduct (i.e., preparing examples of modified materials for a classroom teacher, providing AAC resources for a student team who communicates using alternative and/or augmentative communication, etc.).
– Collaborate with parents and educational entities in assigned school districts to define goals, tools, and processes that guide Include Me’s capacity building efforts within the district.
– Deliver program materials and outreach to all level buildings in Include Me participating school districts to build capacity for inclusive practices within the district as directed by the Program Director
– Work closely with The Arc of PA’s Program Director with defining success criteria, measuring effectiveness of initiatives, and reporting on results.
– Provide a series of training courses to parents of students participating in the program as assigned by the Program Manager and/or Program Director.
– Deliver professional development training to school district personnel (teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school staff).
– Deliver disability awareness and acceptance activities inclusive practices projects to specific classrooms and school buildings in participating IM school districts as planned with district and approved by Program Director.
– Assist to develop and update the Include Me professional development guide listing, PowerPoints, toolkits, and other materials of available training (for parents and school personnel). Updated items are turned in to the Program Manager for review and presentation to the Program Director.
– Provide updates (including pictures from program activities) to the Program Director and Program Facilitator to include on social media, in quarterly reports to funders and other required reporting.
– Meet bi-weekly with Program Manger to review successes, needs, and program assignments.
– Meet semi-annually with the Program Director to review and create workplans/development plans for your region.
– Meet yearly with the Program Director for review and evaluation.
– Meet in person throughout the year with the Program Director for onsite mentoring, shadowing, to highlight successes, and discuss needs.
– Complete all required data entry into Apricot or other data collection systems and all other reporting as required.
– Attend mandatory monthly staff and program meetings and attend Staff Retreats in person. Also attend two professional developments per year in person, with one being the PDE conference. The other will be discussed and decided on with the Program Director.
– Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Programs and The Arc of PA.
Requirements:
– Bachelor’s degree in education or related field, or equivalent experience.
– Able to travel within assigned region to and from assigned school districts.
– Act 34, Act 151, Act 126, Act 168, and Act 114 clearances
– Understanding of and commitment to inclusion and inclusive practices.
– Computer skills, including but not limited to literacy in the use of Microsoft office and Excel programs.
– Possess an exceptional student service attitude, outstanding interpersonal skills and take a positive, proactive approach to working with parents and school personnel.
– Understanding and use of Person First language, Self-determination, Presumed Competence, and the values of inclusion in relation to supporting individuals with disabilities.
– Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to write descriptively.
– Demonstrated knowledge of outcome evaluation, differentiated instruction, positive behavioral support practices, coordination, and collaboration involved in instructional planning in a general education environment.
– Possess knowledge of assistive technology assessments and services.
– Ability to work independently from a home office, meet required evaluation/research data deadlines, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments and projects simultaneously, and utilize a laptop with remote capabilities from the home office.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $52,000.00 – $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Evenings as needed
- Weekends as needed
Work Location: Remote