Coordinator – Child Find & IEP Compliance 2026-2027
Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years. East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years. Employment Type:Full timeBase Salary:$79,803Pay Grade:Certified IICalendar:12 month position, 261 workdaysBenefits:Vacation, sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through Arizona State Retirement System, health, life insurancePerformance Pay:Available annuallyNew Hire Salary with Experience and Education:STEP 1:Teacher base salary + $500 for each full-time year of certified or verified like experience.$65/hour of graduate level credits: BA +45 hours max, MA +60 hours max, $1000 for an advanced degreeCurrent Employee Salary:STEP 1:Current certified salary/teacher calendar ORCertified I, II or III +/- difference (see MEA working conditions)New Hire/Current Employee:STEP 2:Add an additional $18,143Job Summary:The Coordinator – Child Find & IEP Compliance provides districtwide leadership and technical assistance to ensure compliance with IDEA, Section 504, and state regulations related to child find, evaluation, and IEP development. This position supports school sites and departments in implementing timely, compliant evaluation and IEP processes, monitors district compliance data, and collaborates with multiple stakeholders to strengthen systems and practices. The coordinator serves as a key liaison between schools, related service providers, psychologists, and the central office to ensure consistent, coordinated, and legally compliant identification and service delivery for students with disabilities..Key Responsibilities:Lead districtwide systems and procedures for Child Find to ensure timely identification and evaluation of students suspected of having disabilities. Provide training, coaching, and technical assistance to site teams, related service providers, and psychologists on evaluation timelines, eligibility determinations, and IEP procedural safeguards. Monitor compliance with federal and state regulations related to evaluation timelines, IEP development, and service implementation. Analyze district compliance data and prepare regular reports for leadership, ADE, and other stakeholders; identify trends and areas for improvement. Collaborate with school psychologists, evaluation teams, and site administrators to support adherence to procedural requirements. Develop and update district forms, templates, and guidance to align with legal mandates and ADE updates. Support schools in ensuring accurate and timely data entry in student information and IEP management systems. Provide targeted support and corrective action coaching to schools and departments as needed based on compliance monitoring. Partner with the Program Integrity & Evaluation team to coordinate internal audits, ADE monitoring activities, and corrective action plans. Serve as a liaison to ADE on compliance matters related to child find and IEP processes. Required Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in education, special education, or related field. Valid Arizona teaching certificate with Structured English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement. Minimum of three years special education teaching. Preferred Qualifications:Master’s degree in education, leadership, or a related field. Experience in district- or site-level special education compliance monitoring or program coordination. Background as a school psychologist, special education teacher, or related service provider. Administrative or leadership experience. Skills & Competencies:Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, and Arizona special education compliance requirements. In-depth knowledge of IDEA and state special education regulations related to Child Find, evaluation, and IEP timelines. IEP development experience. Strong data analysis skills and ability to identify and address compliance trends. Expertise in procedural safeguards, eligibility criteria, and IEP documentation. Ability to coach and build capacity in site teams and evaluation staff. Excellent organizational and communication skills. Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and roles. Commitment to consistent, accurate, and legally compliant practices that ensure appropriate identification and support for all students. Work Environment & Physical Requirements:Primarily office-based with frequent district site visits. Occasional evening or weekend commitments. Fast-paced, high-stakes environment requiring adaptability and responsiveness. Ability to remain seated for extended periods. Frequent use of hands for typing and handling documents. Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching. Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally. Visual acuity for reading and computer work. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.