Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:

Posting # 1262

Posting date: March 17, 2026

Posting closes: Interviews begin the week of March 31, 2026, with applications being accepted until the position is filled

Location:Cherokee County area

Region:East

Overview

Iowa's Area Education Agencies areeducational partners embedded in Iowa schools. We exist to create a thriving educational landscape where all learners and educators have access to high-quality, evidence-based and strategic supports and services, collaboratively provided within districts, to help all learners achieve their full potential.

About the Agency

Northwest AEA provides special education and school improvement services to 34 public school districts and 32 accredited, non-public schools. The agency serves 45,000 students and more than 5000 educators in a 10-county area of Northwest Iowa (Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien, Plymouth, Cherokee, Woodbury, Ida, Monona, and Crawford).

Our headquarters is located at 5800 Discovery Blvd., Sioux City, with regional offices in Cherokee, Denison, Le Mars, Onawa, and Sioux Center.

Why Northwest AEA?

Our vision, mission, and anchors guide our actions. Staff at Northwest AEA believe that what they do inspires learning and leads to changed lives for the students, staff, and families we serve. Our work is anchored in building positive, professional relationships with stakeholders and with one another. We embrace responsiveness in how we serve so that students, staff, and families can see improved results.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Masters degree in special education or education with at least 30 graduate hours in special education.
• Licensure:
  • Iowa Bureau of Educational Examiners license with a Special Education Consultant endorsement.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of four years of successful teaching experience, with at least two years in special education.

Essential Functions

1. Consultation, Collaboration, and Coaching:
   1. Act as a liaison among the agency, local schools, families, and community organizations to support learners academic, behavioral, and social-emotional development.
   2. Collaborate, consult, and coach educators in Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).
   3. Provide consultation and coaching to general and special education teachers on instructional strategies and behavior management.
2. Assessment and Intervention
   1. Facilitate the implementation of the Child Find and reevaluation processes, including evaluations to determine eligibility for special education services.
   2. Assist in developing and implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) aligned with state and federal requirements.
   3. Provide individual and group interventions as specified in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
3. Instructional Support
   1. Support teachers in adapting curriculum and instructional methods to meet the needs of learners with disabilities.
   2. Model and coach evidence-based instructional strategies, including co-teaching and differentiated instruction.
   3. Assist schools in using data to make informed decisions about instructional practices.
4. Compliance and Documentation
   1. Maintain documentation of activities and ensure confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations.
   2. Ensure adherence to IDEA regulations, state policies, and agency procedures.
   3. Provide professional development and training to educators, staff, and families to enhance the implementation of effective educational practices.
5. Professional Development
   1. Participate in internal and external (as directed) professional learning activities to stay current with trends and evidence-based practices

Additional Responsibilities

1. Advocate for learners with disabilities and promote inclusive practices
2. Modeling instructional strategies and techniques for teachers
3. Assisting teachers with identifying and developing curriculum and instructional materials
4. Assisting teachers with classroom management and behavioral intervention
5. Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall goals and objectives of the department, ensuring flexibility and adaptability in response to changing needs and priorities

Skills and Abilities

1. Assessment and Data-Driven Decision Making
2. Intervention Design and Implementation
3. Cultural Competence and Sensitivity
4. Technology Integration
5. Collaboration and Teamwork
6. Communication Skills
7. Time Management

Click here for salary schedule.

A transfer shall be considered a change in an employee's assigned region (East, North, West) within the same job role (special education strategist)in another region. If you are interested in making a transfer request, contact Sherri Wing (swing@nwaea.org) for transfer request application. If you are not currently serving in this role (special education strategist) but want to be considered for a role change to this position, please contact Sherri Wing (swing@nwaea.org) for the role change application.

It is the policy of Northwest Area Education Agency not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Jerome Schaefer, Equity Coordinator, 5800 Discovery Blvd., Sioux City, Iowa, 51111, 712-222-6114.

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