Nexus Family Healing is seeking a Special Education Coordinator to support the individual educational programs at both our Nexus Onarga location in Onarga, IL and Nexus Indian Oaks location in Manteno, IL.

A member of the Nexus family treatment programs, Nexus-Indian Oaks is located just 50 miles south of Chicago in the small, rural community of Manteno, Illinois while Nexus-Onarga Family Healing is located approximately 90 miles south of Chicago and only a few miles off of I-57 on a historic site in Onarga, IL.

Nexus Onarga serves boys ages 10 to 20 years old while Nexus-Indian Oaks serves both boys and girls ages 12-21. Both locations provide a homelike, structured environment where they can safely address a variety of behavioral, emotional and mental health issues as well as childhood trauma.

Nexus Onarga's Grand Prairie School is the on campus, private school in Onarga, IL providing special education instruction to youth in grades 5th-12th. Safe Harbor School in Manteno serves youth grades 6-12th that are receiving treatment at Nexus- Indian Oaks.   Both schools provide specialized educational curriculum for youth that is nationally accredited through the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA-CASI) on a year-round basis.  Teachers and special education staff are certified and licensed by the Illinois Department of Education, allowing student credits to transfer to any school upon discharge. 

The Special Education Coordinator supervises and facilitates the IEP process for all students placed in the Safe Harbor School at Nexus Indian Oaks and Grand Prairie School at Nexus Onarga to ensure the special education program is achieving and maintaining a high-quality, therapeutic learning and treatment environment.

Responsibilities:

Registration

Coordinates Special Education services and registration processes at the school level and outside agencies. Coordinates Special Education teacher assignments, program design, training, and development of staff, and orients new staff members. Interacts with building staff regarding the Special Education program and regular classes and is an active member of the administration team. Responsible for handling minor discipline problems in tandem with the Dean of Students/Behavior Coordinator, and contact parents regarding placement, curriculum, and discipline problems. Establishes effective relationships with students, staff, and public, and responsible for disseminating the latest law and regulations to staff; remains current in state educational guidelines and requirements for the school.

Service Delivery & Compliance

Monitors delivery of service to achieve compliance and provide suggestions and direction to staff in keeping aware of current trends in Special ED, and provides input, assists in class scheduling to implement plans. Works with school therapists, Dean of Student/behavior Coordinator, and administration to develop departmental and school wide in services regarding Special Ed and related issues; remain current on the most current accepted teaching techniques to meet the needs behaviorally challenges students within a residential setting. Articulates with other districts and agencies agency programs regarding incoming students. Review attendance discipline and transcripts, and records. Chairs the IEP meetings, parent conferences and parent/staff meetings, and represents the school agency program needs and assures compliance with the law. Assists in supervising the development and administration of services for students with special needs, in order to provide for diagnosis, evaluation, and education, that meet the vision, mission, core values, and goals of Nexus and also meet and/or exceed federal, and state, regulations. Assists in the accreditation process to ensure the school meets State Department of Education regulations.  Reviews federal and state legislation/regulations related to special education; identify and share with staff the impacts and changes on the school level, and interprets special education laws, rules, and regulations to students, parents, and staff.

Scheduling & Educational Support

Ensures compliance in the administration, scheduling and evaluation of Special Education service delivery process for the development of IEP’s as required by state and federal mandates and guidelines. Plan, prioritize and effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities; research and recommend policies and programs essential to the needs of special education students and keeps informed of current trends and legal requirements governing special education. Develops uniform procedures and evaluates the program to assist with incorporating special education programs, services, and personnel into the total educational community. Evaluates the special education program to ensure that objectives for student education are met. Develops annual goals for the Department of Special Education. Guides the development and implementation of long-range and short-range plans for achieving special education goals and objectives in alignment with the organizations strategic plan and state regulations.

Student Programming

Assists in supervising student achievement programs for special needs students, work with building principals in analyzing results and in providing programs to address needs, and provide student achievement data at the school, classroom, and student levels that meet and/or exceed state standards. Participates along with the school leadership team, in the selection, supervision, training, & ongoing development and performance evaluation of assigned staff. Actively participates in the interview and selection process to satisfy organizational requirements. Works collaboratively as a team, using effective supervision and communicating expectations, shared goals outcomes; communicate with the entire educational staff on a regular basis through a variety of methods which includes scheduling regular meetings and conducting in-services for all education employees. Assist in supervising and approving the staff development programs for the school, regarding special education services.  Directs the preparation and maintenance of records and reports for programs and services as required and maintains and ensures a confidential and accurate database and files of former and current students in special education in accordance with federal, state and school board regulations.

Nexus Family Healing Policy and Procedure

Provides crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques when appropriate; remain clam and using sound judgement in emergency situations. Maintain appropriate boundaries and relationships with students. Attends and participate in staff meetings and training sessions as required by the company. Attend relevant conferences for continued education. Understands and supports the company philosophy and treatment modalities. Remains current on all company policies, assigned trainings and/or certification requirements. Ensures confidentiality regarding students in compliance with HIPAA, all licensing agencies, company policies and accrediting bodies.

Required Education and Licensure:

Master's Degree in Education and certification in Special Education Valid driver’s license required. Must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements

Nice to Have:

Minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience. One (1) year program supervisory experience.

Work Schedule:

Schedule: Monday-Friday 7a-3:30p Year-round school through the summer with pre-scheduled break weeks & holidays off Salary: $70,000-$75,000 annually based on credentials and years of teaching experience

Work Environment:

Must be able to assist staff in proper restraining of youths. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted and up to 100+ pounds with assistance. Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time (2-4 hours). Must be able to twist, bend and stretch in a manner conducive to the execution of daily activities within the residential program.

ICARE Values & Behavioral Competencies:

Innovation: Leading the way and implementing creative, cutting-edge ideas and approaches. Compassion: Listening, honoring differences, and showing respect, kindness, empathy care, and concern. Agility: Exhibiting flexibility and adapting quickly. Responsiveness: Being quick, positive, and accurate. Excellence: Demonstrating quality results that surpass ordinary standards.

At Nexus Family Healing, our voices and actions will be focused on recognizing, affirming and respecting people of every race, ethnic background, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender expression and faith. 

APPLY TODAY TO BE CONTACTED BY OUR RECRUITING TEAM! When you work at Nexus, you have the opportunity to change lives — including your own!

Keywords:  "Special Education", "Special Education Teacher", "LBS1", "IEP Coordinator", "IEP Facilitator", "IEP Specialist", "IEP Coach", "IEP Case Manager"