Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Specialist, Florida Scholars Academy

PLEASE NOTE: Your application will expire one year from the time of submission. Please feel free to apply to any other positions for which you may qualify.

Our team members enjoy competitive salaries, a well-rounded benefits package, generous paid time off (including 12 holidays, vacation, and sick leave), and an array of professional development opportunities.  We’re always looking to add to our team of more than 3,000 dedicated professionals who are leading online education worldwide with transformative digital solutions – personalized to every student.

Job Posting End Date:

Deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on

09-28-2026

Job Title:

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Specialist, Florida Scholars Academy

Contract Type:

Employee

Annual Salary:

$59,850.00 - $119,700.00

Location:

FL - FSA

Job Description Summary:

Our Mission is to equip students for success by developing and delivering highly effective digital learning through an intuitive online platform.

FLVS does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law.

The Position:

Position General Summary:

The Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Specialist, Florida Scholars Academy, assists the ESE Manager with staffing and support for students with disabilities, impairments, and/or students who are gifted/talented as well as works with internal and external stakeholders to assist in providing support and information to meet the needs of these unique learners. This position assists in acting as a liaison between the ESE Department, school and district staff, residential facility staff, service provider, community agencies, students, and their families. The ESE Specialist collaborates with families, schools, district staff, and external stakeholders concerning all facets of programming for students with special needs from pre-referral, placement, transition, graduation, assessment, and post-secondary needs. The ESE Specialist keeps abreast of state rules, legislation, and federal IDEA requirements surrounding ESE eligibility, Access Points-Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AP-AAAS), Gifted and Talented Education, Section 504, and post-secondary transition.

Essential Position Functions:

• Serves as the point of contact for parents and staff to address evaluation referrals and requests for students with suspected disabilities or impairments and/or suspected giftedness.

• Meets regularly with Student Support Teams/Treatment Teams to assist with problem-solving for students.

• Compiles and reviews comprehensive data to determine eligibility and make appropriate placement decisions for students.

• Schedules, coordinates, organizes, and facilitates initial eligibility meetings with all required and necessary meeting participants.

• Manages all initial eligibilities and staff students appropriately for ESE programs, Gifted programs, and Section 504.

• Ensures timelines are met for requesting parental consent, meeting notices, evaluation, and placement for ESE, Section 504, and Gifted.

• Assists with intake and exit processes for students with disabilities.

• Collaborates with instructional staff to provide support to meet individual needs and assist students in meeting goals and objectives.

• Provides support for/facilitates and/or administers the Statewide, Standardized Alternate Assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities as defined in section 1008.22(3)(c), F.S.

• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships by consulting regularly with internal and external stakeholders such as: students, parents/guardians, instructors, counselors, therapists, related services providers, agencies, facility staff, etc.

• Provides Prior Written Notice and IDEA Procedural Safeguards to parents to meet compliance requirements for ESE and Gifted.

• Establishes and maintains an efficient and accurate record keeping system of current and cumulative youth records.

• Documents all forms of contact and upload documents to secure folders in the Student Information System (SIS) in a timely manner.

• Maintains accurate and up-to-date records and reports in the SIS for compliance monitoring to meet all district and state ESE timelines.

• Protects the privacy of student records per The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

• Collaborates regularly with school stakeholders to obtain and maintain knowledge of curriculum offerings and supplemental interventions to assist in educational planning and support for youth with disabilities.

• Develops and facilitates training and maintains communication for students, families, and staff related to best practices in special education, gifted education, Section 504, transition services, and other supports.

• Assists in the development of standard operating procedures for ESE policies and procedures.

• Utilizes the Florida DOE Portal to Exceptional Education Resources (PEER) program for ESE/IEP/EP/504 paperwork.

• Stays abreast of all updates in ESE, 504, and Gifted state legislation and federal law to ensure student success and district compliance.

• Continues professional growth through participation in training and other staff development activities.

• Provides the highest level of customer service to student, families, and instructional staff.

• Models professional and ethical standards when working with youth, parents/guardians, peers, and community members.

• Any other academic related topic established at the discretion of the Superintendent of Schools, Florida Scholars Academy or Regional Director, Florida Scholars Academy. 

• Meets professional obligations through efficient work habits such as: meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, coordinating resources and meetings in an effective and timely manner, and demonstrating respect for others.

• All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established.

 (These essential functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required.)

Minimum Requirements:

Education/Licensure/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, or in a related field of Education, from an accredited college/university.

• Valid Florida Professional Teaching Certificate in Exceptional Student Education K-12.

Experience:

• At least three years’ experience with Exceptional Student Education (ESE).

• Experience in Special Education policies and procedures at the state and federal level (IDEA).

• Experience in staffing and placing  of students with disabilities/impairments preferred.

• Experience with Access Points-Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AP-AAAS) and the Florida Alternate Assessment (FAA) preferred.

• Experience with the Florida Portal to Exceptional Education Resources (PEER) program preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's):

• Knowledge of MS Windows, MS Office, and Internet Explorer.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Possess qualities and skills to be a proactive, positive team player.

• Ability to work with and through people to establish goals, objectives, and action plans.

• Strong interpersonal and excellent customer service skills. 

• Ability to handle multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, and effective time management.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Exercises independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet responsibilities.

• Effective conferencing skills.

• Knowledge of IDEA federal laws and state and local regulations as they relate to ESE.

• Demonstrative skill in attention to detail.

• Ability to function effectively in a high demand environment.

• Ability to work independently and as a team member.

• Ability to compile, review, categorize, prioritize, analyze, and interpret data and/or information.

CORE COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Team member carries out essential job functions with accuracy, engages in ongoing and relevant professional learning, applies new knowledge effectively, and demonstrates mastery of job-specific skills

PRODUCTIVITY

Team member produces high quality work, meets organizational and departmental deadlines, balances multiple responsibilities, manages time effectively, and seeks ways to improve processes and productivity

COMMUNICATION

Team member communicates clearly in written and verbal formats, collaborates effectively, demonstrates professionalism in all interactions, exhibits strong interpersonal skills, and contributes to a positive team and professional community

CUSTOMER FOCUS

Team member addresses the needs of internal and external customers, analyzes problems effectively, contributes to innovative solutions, seeks opportunities for improvement, and successfully adapts to change

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

• Frequency of travel: Occasional travel is required for meetings, training, and conferences; location may vary and may require overnight stays.

• Light physical activities and efforts required working in an office environment.

(Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with existing ADA requirements for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.)