| SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION:
Under the direction of the Deputy Chief of Transportation, the Transportation Special Education Liaison (liaison) supervises the Student Support and Specialized Transportation Services Unit and serves as the connection between the district and parents/families of students with disabilities, employing clear and persistent communication methods, and building trust among families and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff. The liaison acts as a neutral and impartial advisor for transportation staff regarding special education transportation services offered to families, and may communicate or advocate for district and division best interests to community members and other constituents related to special education student transportation matters. The liaison coordinates and implements student transportation services and initiatives relative to outreach, learning opportunities, and the improvement of family engagement. The liaison ensures transportation services are aligned and completed under all applicable laws, policies, regulations, and best practices regarding specialized student transportation. The liaison will represent transportation at IEP meetings and other groups such as boundary studies, program review committees, etc. Maintains communication and engages the Office of Special Education and the Office of Special Education Legal Services regarding any matters of compliance with federal and state special education laws and district policies raised by parents/guardians or learned through engagement activities. The liaison collects, analyzes and reports data for the purposes of: raising district leadership awareness and accountability; improving relationships with families; increasing the effectiveness of communication, providing accessible resources and information; and improving MCPS special education transportation services and programs. The liaison ensures success for all students and promotes best practices in special education transportation matters.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: As required by the duties and responsibilities of the job.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Frequent night meetings, weekend work, and extended work hours. Site and school visits and travel across Montgomery County and other area school districts required. This includes representing transportation at IEP and/or community meetings.
|
|
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Understanding and knowledge of educational services and practices as they relate to students with special needs. Considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) regulations applicable to student transportation, public-school laws and the Montgomery County Board of Education policies and procedures affecting transportation of pupils. Knowledge of MCPS IEP processes and related policies preferred. Ability to plan, organize, manage, and implement successful transportation services. Knowledge of laws and policies related to homeless, foster, and 504 plans. Ability to relate/interact with various cultures and social groups. Ability to solicit resources for district needs. Ability to exercise strict confidence in handling sensitive student and parent information. Skilled in using Excel and G Suite/Google Drive applications. Demonstrated ability to present articulately, succinctly and to cater presentations, conversations and complex information to different audiences. Demonstrated excellence in oral and written skills. Ability to communicate effectively with staff, parents, community members, and public agencies; and ability to effectively engage and provide meaningful support to parents, families and students in special education matters. Exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple requests from schools, offices, families, and community stakeholders effectively. |
|
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Master’s Degree in education, special education, educational administration, or a related field. Minimum of five (5) years of experience working in a PreK-12 public education setting. Experience in successful conflict resolution and experience in a public-facing role or public relations field. Experience using technology to support learning and engagement of staff, students, and stakeholders. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position, may be considered.CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Holds a current Maryland certification in Special Education, teaching or administrative certificate. |
|
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or ability associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principle job elements.)Plans, coordinates and implements best practices in creating and maintaining effective outreach, , and meaningful community engagement involving transportation matters.Ensures the division’s transportation program supports and is compliant with all applicable laws, policies, and regulations regarding specialized transportation for students requiring transportation as a part of their disability or IEP.Supports communication between parents and district personnel to improve the quality of relationships and trust; advises school administration and staff on best practices regarding student transportation and effective methods of communication; supports individual schools in building strategies to increase and strengthen parent involvement; conducts professional learning sessions with staff to improve parent involvement; and collaborates with all staff regularly to coordinate meetings/workshops for parents.In conjunction and in collaboration with the Division of Communications and the Division of Special Education, creates and assists in the implementation of communication plans to keep the community informed regarding new student transportation services, initiatives, district changes, or issues impacting families of students with special needs.Provides regular reports to executive leadership on the effectiveness of engagement efforts and student transportation special education services.Stays current on all best practices, pending and new legislation, MCPS policies and regulations impacting special education student transportation.Regularly reports to and advises deputy chief on issues, challenges, progress, impact and success of services and district practices relative to special education students and their families. Presents resolutions, improvement plans, new methods of communication and coordinates efforts based on deputy chief’s approval and feedback.Serves as a representative of MCPS in various forums and events related to special education student transportation and engages county officials, county partners and other stakeholders as needed.Leads outreach, initiates and responds to parent phone calls, emails, and written correspondence related to parent involvement, school services, and/or supporting students with disabilities.Provides information to parents about the district’s procedures and instructional programs and the names and roles of school administrators and staff members.Locates and shares community resources with students and families, ensuring that proper connections are made and the needs of families and students are met.In coordination with the Department of Student Well-being, provides information to parents about the resources available to them throughout the school system and community.Assists parents/guardians with the understanding of IDEA and parental rights and responsibilities in regard to transportation services; helps parents/guardians who may need support or resolution concerning the IEP processes.Obtains, analyzes, reports on relevant special education and outreach data to inform improvements and new measures; and monitors and maintains records as directed by the deputy chief.Supports the work of staff members within the Department of Special Education. Builds a collaborative, working relationship with the Department of Special Education and the Office of the Special Education Legal Services to maintain knowledge of special education issues, concerns and challenges as it relates to transportation services, facing the district and families with special education students.Supervises the Student Support and Specialized Transportation Services Unit which includes the routing of special education buses and providing direct support to students with disabilities. Ensures students have safe and appropriate safety equipment for their transportation needs.Works directly with Fleet Maintenance and depot staff on the design requirements for buses transporting special education students and the procurement of safe and appropriate equipment for student needs.Generates reports for federal and state agencies as required.Conducts trainings for transportation staff regarding special education law, policies, and regulations.Makes recommendations to the deputy chief and other division leadership on best practices to ensure timely and safe student transportation for special needs students. This may include developing alternative transportation opportunities.Performs related work and other duties as required. |
