Flagstaff Unified School District

Program Specialist Job Description 

JOB TITLE: Program Specialist for Exceptional Student Services (ESS) - Sinagua Middle School

REPORTS TO: Site Administrator and Executive Director, Student Services and Educational Excellence 

2026-2027 School Year: 1.0 FTE; Benefits offered; ASRS participation (required); Start date: August 3, 2026.  Additional $7,000 stipend is issued. Position is ineligible for 301 allocation and teacher-related increases.  (Hires new to the district will start on July 27, 2026, for training.)

SUMMARY OF FUNCTION: 

Assist the site administrator and Executive Director of Student Services and Educational Excellence in the implementation and coordination of special education programs. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Elementary and Secondary 

• Provide support and mentoring for dual-cert, resource, and specialized program teachers. 
• Ensure compliance with federal (IDEA), state, and district laws, procedures, and policies (to include ADE audits).
• Assist school teams in facilitating student placement along the continuum of services, ensuring placement in the least- restrictive environment, and promoting inclusive practices. 
• Support and train teachers in writing Individual Education Plans (IEPs). 
• Monitor Medicaid compliance by reviewing students’ annual IEPs. 
• Serve as the LEA representative at special education meetings or ensure there is a replacement if Program Specialist is not available.  
• Support with special education specialized instruction as needed (could include teaching small groups, subbing, designing instruction, support with curriculum, etc.). 
• Create schedules for paraprofessionals; move as needed to fill daily vacancies. 
• Provide training as needed for special education staff  (certified and classified) to promote student success in special and general education settings and ensure compliance. 
• Interview, hire, and evaluate paraprofessionals
• Help coordinate state/district testing and student accommodations. 
• Administer gifted testing.

Elementary Only 

• Support the Instructional Specialist’s implementation of Tier 3 interventions.  
• Provide teachers with resources for gifted instruction and assist in school-wide gifted plans. 
• Ensure PEP (Personal Education Plans for gifted students) forms are filled out.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Valid Arizona certificate in special education or license in a related field; Elementary Only - General education certification, K-8 (preferred) 
• Minimum of four years working in the field of special education 
• Skilled at working with others in a professional learning environment 
• Accurate and effective working knowledge of IDEA and state regulation 
• Supervisory experience and ability to multitask 
• Ability to organize ideas and communicate them with clarity and conciseness in a variety of settings 
• Experience with curriculum accommodations, modification or adaptation, instruction, and assessments
• Experience with coordinating schedules (adults and/or students) 

COMPENSATION: 

• Placement on the certified salary schedule 
• Additional $7,000 stipend is issued. Position is ineligible for 301 allocation and teacher-related increases.

MENTAL TASKS
Communicates verbally and in writing.  Reads.  Analyze and evaluate student progress and course curriculum.  Develop, implement and evaluate plans.  Manages classroom.  Promotes learning and ensures safety.  Perform functions from written and oral instruction and from observing and listening to others.  Evaluate written materials to include written assignment and tests.

PHYSICAL TASKS
Work involves the performance of duties where physical exertion and movement is required to perform the aspects of the job.  Assistance is available as required to perform physically demanding tasks.  Work involves sitting and moving for extended periods of time, requires moving from one location to another, reaching, bending, stooping (moving to eye level of the student), hold and grasping objects.  Verbal communication ability required.

EQUIPMENT, AIDS, TOOLS, MATERIALS
Uses blackboards, whiteboard, easel, bulletin board, computers, video projectors, chalk, markers, and office or instructional equipment.   FUSD recognizes that ever changing development of technology but expects all staff to keep abreast of changing technology opportunities and use tools and devices provided to them.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Indoor – classroom environment. Outdoor – all weather conditions and temperatures.  Playground environment. Contact with public, employees, children and parents.  Exposure to noise, dusts, gas and fumes.

CONTROL AND SUPERVISION
Monitor control of students, communicates with families frequently about strengths and areas for growth, volunteers and/or assistant aides and paraprofessionals in the classroom, field trips, lunchroom, library, school buses and other areas.

Thank you for your interest in the Flagstaff Unified School District. Applicants must be appropriately certified.  Arizona applicants, please include w/ your application, a current Arizona Department of Education Teacher certificate, current IVP fingerprint clearance card and unofficial transcripts. 

Out of State: FUSD will consider out of state applicants.  However, please attach a current teacher certificate for your state, as well as unofficial transcripts. Candidate must meet & show proof of being appropriately certified, before new hire appointment & beginning job assignment. Official transcripts & employment verifications required at time of hire for proper salary placement. It can take several weeks to obtain an AZ Fingerprint Clearance Card. We encourage you to begin the process of obtaining an Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card as well as the Arizona Department of Education Certificate as soon as possible. Arizona Department of Education Website http://www.azed.gov/.  AZ Department of Public Safety IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card info:  AZDPS Fingerprint Clearance Card Info

LETTER OF INTENT:  If you choose to apply, but have not yet met the certification criteria as outlined above, your application may still be considered. If you are recommended for a position, you may be offered a “Letter of Intent to Recommend for a Contract” notification. Please note that a Letter of Intent is not a binding offer of employment and no employment contract between you and the District exists until such time as the District Governing Board approves the issuance of an employment contract at a public meeting.  The Intent to Hire remains in effect until all certification requirements are met. (Deadline to meet all requirements: June 30, 2026). Should you not meet this deadline, administrators will be given the option to re-post the position to interview more candidates OR request an extension of the deadline date. Note:  All who apply will automatically be put into "qualified" status to allow the site administrator the ability to review your application immediately.   Therefore, you will not receive any verification email from HR, advising your application has been pushed through. 

All employees are subject to a criminal background check. The Flagstaff Unified School District is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in relation to race, color, religion, gender expression, sexual orientation, military status, age, national origin, or disability. Offers of employment, contingent upon funding.  Missing documents may result in your application not moving forward in the process.

Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce/Relocating to Flagstaff:
https://www.flagstaffchamber.com/flagstaff/relocating-to-flagstaff/