Job Description
Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois is excited to begin its hiring process for The Excel Center. For those less familiar with The Excel Center, it provides tuition-free education for adults seeking to obtain a high school diploma. The Excel Center model was created by the Goodwill in Indianapolis in 2010, and has since grown to 47 schools across 10 states and Washington D.C. Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois will open the first Excel Center in Illinois in Fall 2025. We are currently seeking to hire The Excel Center Special Education Coordinator.
Target start date for this position is August 4, 2025. The Excel Center will be located at the YMCA in Rockford on Y Boulevard.
The Special Education (SPED) Coordinator plans and provides for appropriate learning experiences for students with disabilities in accordance with a student’s Individual Education Program (IEP). The Coordinator creates a flexible program and learning environment that provides specialized instruction for students with disabilities, such that the students benefit from the general education curriculum to the greatest extent possible when assisted with supplemental aids, accommodations, and other needed supports.
Responsibilities & Essential Functions:
Student Experience
- Participates in student recruitment, enrollment, and outreach efforts.
- Builds relationships with students with disabilities and creates an environment where students feel safe to learn and flourish.
- Thinks critically and strategically to respond to specific student learning needs across ability levels.
- Develops personal professional/performance goals and action plans which will support students to reach their goals. Reflects on prior goals and makes adjustments to professional practice and goals.
- Monitors the implementation of the students’ IEPs and provides progress reports to the staff, the students, and/or their family.
- Designs and implements curricula and assessments that meet academic standards and measure progress towards student mastery of required standards.
- Communicates student progress effectively with students and colleagues.
- Collaborates with staff to ensure student success.
- Works with teachers, coaches and leadership staff to support students’ progress towards graduation and post-secondary planning.
- Performs student observations. Creates, collects, reviews, and maintains information to manage or improve the achievement of learning behaviors and goals.
- Tutors students and maintains office hours.
- Provides small group instruction/interventions based on student need.
- Creates modifications and accommodations for multi-language learners.
- Maintains a resource room to support students when needed.
Teamwork
- Holds case conference committee meetings to assist in developing measurable goals and benchmarks to meet students’ needs.
- Maintains visibility in the school building through classroom push-ins and communicates relevant information and data to staff.
- Attends and contributes to all team and professional development meetings.
School Leadership
- Works directly with the school director to develop and implement school-wide goals around graduation outcomes, enrollment needs, student achievement, retention, etc.
- Assists staff with professional development, training, and goal setting.
- Sets and maintains a high-performance culture for staff and students.
- Supports the school community by attending events, outreach opportunities, etc.
Standards & Compliance
- Develops compliant and comprehensive transition plans.
- Maintains accurate and compliant student records (IEPs and 504s) and prepares documentation as required by law.
- Identifies and tracks relevant student/school data/staff performance to set improvement and/or achievement goals and to drive future evaluation and feedback.
The above-listed responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities or duties required. Incumbents will be expected to perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Basic Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in special education.
- Current Illinois Teaching Certification in Special Education – mild and/or intense intervention.
- Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local mandates governing the determination and delivery of special education services.
- Experience working with high school age students in urban, non-traditional, and/or in adult education setting highly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to work with individuals with barriers, understand, and communicate with diverse groups.
- Effective verbal, facilitation and written communication skills.
- Ability to embrace change positively, strong planning and organizing skills, independent, self-manager.
- Working knowledge of computer programs including Google Applications (specifically Gmail), Excel, Word and Internet Explorer.
- Must be able to successfully pass a background check.
- Must be able to work 12 months per year with breaks scheduled throughout the year.
Sensory and Physical Requirements:
Ability to efficiently and effectively perform all functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Environment:
The work is conducted at The Excel Center housed in a partner location at the YMCA. Hours are primarily daytime hours with occasional weekend or evening work.
Goodwill offers competitive pay and benefits along with our positive working culture and flexible work environment. The pay range for this position is $55,000 - $65,000 per year. Goodwill's Excel Center operates on a 12-month schedule with scheduled breaks. Key benefits are listed below –
- Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, vision insurance, basic and voluntary life insurance as well as short-term disability and employee assistance program.
- Financial Security: Competitive salary and contributions to the Illinois Teacher’s Retirement System.
- Work-Life Balance: Paid time off, and scheduled breaks.
- Professional Growth: Training programs, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement opportunities.
- Perks & Extras: Employee discounts, and a supportive, inclusive workplace.
Thank you for your interest in working at The Excel Center. We commit to providing each applicant a hiring experience that allows you to bring your authentic self to the table. If you need an alternative method to apply this for position, please contact Goodwill's Human Resource Department at SharethaH@goodwillni.org.
Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, Local area, Work from home, Currently hiring, Flexible hours, Afternoon shift,