Easterseals Academy is a therapeutic school that provides schooling for children with an autism spectrum disorder, emotional disability, developmental delay, or intellectual disability. School districts refer students to Easterseals Academy where the schools provide an alternative school placement for these students to help them to achieve independence. Easterseals Academy has three campuses, located in Chicago, Machesney Park, and Tinley Park.

The Instructional Services Coordinator Serves as the instructional leader, in conjunction with the Academy Principal. The Instructional Services Coordinator will develop and evaluate the instructional programs, including learning objectives, instructional strategies, and assessment techniques. 

This position is located at the Easterseals Academy - Tinley Park Campus at 17300 Ozark Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60477. 

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Performance Responsibilities and Duties: 

• Coordinate and review classroom schedules on a quarterly basis, 
• Conduct and document reflective observations and provide written feedback for each member of the educational/clinical team in order to complete and conduct evaluations at the end of the school year, in conjunction with the Principal and Student      Services Coordinator.
• Coordinate the completion of the induction checklist and documentation of the induction of all new educational and clinical staff, upon hire, in conjunction with designated school staff.
• Institute and document appropriate disciplinary measures outlined in the agency manual for all staff and submit all necessary paperwork to appropriate staff and to Administrative Services throughout the school year in conjunction with the administrative team.
• Interview and follow through with the hiring process for potential candidates for all positions throughout the school year, in conjunction with the administrative team.
• Review all new policies and procedures with staff in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with school and agency administration teams to resolve any impending school issues.
• Approve and supervise all educational and clinical activities throughout the school year, in conjunction with the Principal and all LEADS.

Specific Duties- Instructional Management:

• Lead clinical and educational staff in developing and implementing professional development activities to improve the teaching and learning process.
• Work with educational and clinical staff to develop, maintain, and revise curriculum documents, including learning objectives, instructional strategies, and assessment techniques, based on systematic review and thorough analysis.
• Support clinical and educational staff in evaluating and selecting instructional materials to meet student learning needs
• Participate in agency and school-level decision-making processes to establish and review the school's goals and objectives around curriculum, instruction, and evidence-based practices.
• Assist in securing consultants, specialists, and other community resources to assist in attaining school-wide objectives.

Specific Duties- Instructional Improvement:

• Support the common vision for school improvement by assisting the Principal in directing planning activities (e.g. Open House, Curriculum Fair, special events) and putting programs in place to ensure the attainment of school and agency vision.
• Facilitate grade-level meetings.
• Facilitate monthly meetings with Instructional, Clinical, and Lead staff.
• Collaborate to develop and monitor business plan as assigned by Principal.

Specific Duties-Personnel Management:

• Assist with the recruitment and selection of staff, and make recommendations relative to placement, assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
• Monitor professional research and disseminate ideas and information to educational and clinical staff.
• Coordinate and facilitate progress report reviews.
• Maintain current student and staff roster and ensure appropriate coverage on a short-term and long-term basis, in conjunction with the school administrative team.
• All other duties as assigned. 

Education/Certification:

•   Master's Degree in Education or other closely related field 
• Certification as either a special educator or clinician

Experience Required:

• Minimum of three years experience working with individuals with disabilities with systematically increasing responsibilities.
• Minimum of one year of experience in a school leadership or administrative position.

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to perform all functions necessary to obtain certification in agency-required crisis prevention and intervention training, and CPR.
• Ability to multi-task in a high-stress environment.
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities.
• Ability to lead diverse populations.
• Ability to enhance the professional growth and development of staff members.
• Ability to multi-task in a high-stress environment and manage multiple projects.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and supervisory skills.
• Excellent verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
• Possess a strong awareness of developmental disabilities.
• Strong decision-making, analytical and organizational skills. 
• Advanced skill in dealing with students and staff with diverse needs at various levels.
• Knowledge of varied instructional strategies, how to support the needs of diverse learners, delivery methods, assessment, and staff development techniques for improvement of instruction. 
• Possess a clear understanding of evidence-based practices used with students with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of, and ability to, develop, monitor and evaluate curriculum, discipline plans, and supervision/safety plans.
• Knowledge of effective behavior management techniques 

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.