"Extensive Support Needs Consultant, Regional Professional Development Center, UMKC"

This full-time (1.0 FTE), year-round position at the Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC), part of the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Education, is primarily funded through a contract with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The mission of the UMKC School of Education is to recruit, prepare and support teachers, mental health professionals and administrators who will create lifelong opportunities through education for America’s diverse urban communities. The physical location of the RPDC is Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO Suite 401.

The purpose of the Extensive Support Needs Consultant is to support local education agencies (LEAs) and the state board operated programs (SBOPs) through training, coaching and technical assistance, in developing staff capacity in effective classroom, academic, and behavior management strategies and interventions for students with extensive needs. Additionally, this position will support and train LEAs regarding low-incidence criteria, information, and documentation needed when applying for acceptance to state schools. The expected outcome for this effort is to assist LEAs and SBOPs in improving academic and social/behavioral outcomes for all students, but especially students with low-incidence disabilities, by educating LEA and SBOP staff in the development and implementation of effective behavior management strategies, effective teaching and learning practices and identifying the least restrictive environment for students with extensive support needs.

This position reports to the Director of the UMKC RPDC and works collaboratively with Missouri’s DESE staff to serve Missouri PK-12 educators, assist with statewide school improvement issues, and to perform other duties as assigned.

OVERALL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

• Collaborate with separate placement facilities and LEA teachers and staff in the delivery of quality educational and program services.
• Assist LEAs in understanding a continuum of placement to ensure the LRE for all students, but especially students with Extensive Support Needs.
• Train educators in implementing effective, evidence-based instructional and behavioral high leverage practices for students with extensive support needs.
• Assist LEAs through the training of staff in the identification and application of classroom and individualized academic and behavior supports.
• Assist LEAs in the use of communication devices and other accessibility devices.
• Deliver high-quality professional development to LEA staff on evidence-based practices using DESE-approved materials.
• Attend professional development opportunities applicable to the Extensive Support Needs Consultant, such as teaching students with extensive support needs and developing inclusive environments as requested/approved by DESE.
• Develop training materials and Virtual Learning Platform (VLP) Modules for use with LEAs.
• Extensive Support Needs Consultants shall complete consultant logs within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) electronic system by the 5th of each month for the prior month of work.

TRAINING ACTIVITIES

• Provide training and technical assistance to LEAs over topics such as: High Leverage Practices for students with Extensive Supports Needs; Map-A; DLM Essential Elements – Scope and Sequence; Evidence-Based Instructional and Behavioral Practices, Specially Designed Instruction, Assistive Technology, etc.
• Provide training and technical assistance concerning post-secondary transition for students with extensive support needs.
• Provide training on continuum of placements and least restrictive environment.
• Attend Local Administrators in Special Education (LASE) meetings to provide professional development and technical assistance as needed.

All trainings provided must be advertised using the same title and description provided by DESE to ensure consistency across the state. Trainings will be provided by DESE and/or developed by consultants and vetted with consultants and DESE team. Consultants may not remove any content from these resources, and if content is added or changes are made to the format, those must be approved by the DESE technical contact before the resources are used. Training on topics other than those provided by DESE must be preapproved by DESE. All training provided is expected to follow DESE standards for high quality professional development (HQPD), which includes initial training and follow up technical assistance (TA)/Coaching.

Training List – to be developed for VLP and training with LEAs:

• Mandatory:
  • High Leverage Practices (HLPs) for Students with Extensive Support Needs
  • Dynamic Learning Maps and the Essential Elements – Scope and Sequence
  • Developing Quality Standards Based IEPs (DLM)
  • Post-Secondary Transition for Students with Extensive Support Needs
  • Assistive Technology for Communication and other Accessibility Needs
  • The Continuum of Placement and Least Restrictive Environment
  • Office of Special Education Virtual Support Meetings (as requested)
• Per District Request:
  • Map-A
  • How to Collect Data and Monitor Progress to Drive Specially Designed Instruction
  • Classroom management (training, coaching, and technical assistance)
  • Targeted Technical Assistance related to addressing challenging student behaviors through behavior assessment and special education services.
  • Evidence-Based Academic and Behavioral Practices
  • Universal Design for Learning (DLM)
  • Co-Teaching: Double the Impact

PLANNING/COMMUNICATION/COLLABORATION ACTIVITIES

• Participate in the development and/or revision of VLP training modules and other materials as requested by DESE.
• Serve as a mentor for new Extensive Support Needs Consultants.
• Work collaboratively with Compliance Consultants, Improvement Consultants and Behavior Consultants to develop and provide training and technical assistance to LEAs.

MEETING/CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES

• Attend and actively participate in statewide resource, support, and training meetings with DESE as designated by the calendar.
• Attend, actively participate, and present at the annual Directors’ Academy (see master calendar) as requested by DESE.
• Attend and actively participate in the annual Transition Training Institute.
• Attend professional development opportunities to maintain high levels of skill and knowledge of current research and practices related to students with low-incidence disabilities. (May be in-state or out-of-state and must be pre-approved by RPDC Director and DESE).

SPECIALIZED CERTIFICATION

• Extensive Support Needs Consultants have the following certification: Special Education Certification (preferably certification in teaching students with severe developmental disabilities).

SPECIALIZED SKILLS

• Effective meeting management and knowledge of meeting processes/protocols.
• Ability to coach, collaborate with, and provide technical assistance to adult learners.
• Effective conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to perform action research and apply reflective practice strategies.
• Ability to design high-quality professional development and use technology to enhance it.
• Ability to meet deadlines, to include timely preparations of reports and logs.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 5 years experience working in a school setting as a special education teacher, (experience with severe developmental disabilities preferred).
• Ability to utilize assessment and assessment data to inform instruction and interventions.
• Experience collecting and analyzing progress monitoring and behavior data from classroom and other educational settings.
• Experience with the Missouri Assessment Program-Alternate (MAP-A).

REQUIRED TRAVEL

Special Education Extensive Support Needs Consultants (ESNCs) are limited to travel inside their region and neighboring RPDC regions with the exception of attendance at DESE required activities/meetings/conferences. Special Education ESNCs are expected to travel statewide, as needed, in the following regions: Southeast Regional Professional Development Center (SEMO), South Central Regional Professional Development Center (Missouri S&T), St. Louis Regional Professional Development Center (Education Plus), Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning (MSU).

NOTE on Required Attendance: The Consultant is obligated to attend monthly state-wide meetings, SEDA, TTI, and other events assigned by OSE. The Consultant will notify the meeting planner of any absence or tardiness within one day of the scheduled start time, unless such absence or tardiness constitutes an emergency. A definition of emergency will be at DESE’s discretion. Repeated absences or tardiness may result in a performance warning sent to the RPDC director, payment deduction, or termination of this contract as determined by DESE.

NOTE on Virtual Attendance: If a meeting, at the discretion of DESE, is scheduled for virtual attendance, consultants are expected to attend and be on time with cameras on.

NOTE on Funding: This position is externally funded and contingent on continued funding.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree or higher in education or related field. Education Specialist or PhD/EdD degree preferred. The ideal candidate will have: Five (5) years’ experience as a teacher and/or administrator. Expertise and/or significant leadership experience implementing instructional best practice resulting in improved student learning outcomes. Demonstrated commitment to and experience in serving students with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, goals, and abilities in alignment with the School of Education’s mission, vision, values, and priorities. Proficiency in word processing applications (i.e., Google Docs, Moodle, BrightSpace, Microsoft Office Suite, Apple systems). Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills. Able to relate to various education skills that encompass a preK-12 school system. Ability to conduct regional and in-state travel (travel expenses will be reimbursed).

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated salary range is $55,000-$65,000, commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity.

Application Materials

Application materials should include a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline

For best consideration, submit application materials by 8/22/25. Applications will continue to be accepted until filled.