Speech-Language Pathologist – Districtwide Saco School Department Position Purpose Under the general supervision of the Director of Special Services and in collaboration with building administrators, the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) provides comprehensive speech and language services to students throughout the Saco School Department. This districtwide position supports students across a variety of grade levels, educational settings, and programs based on student needs and district assignments. The Speech-Language Pathologist is responsible for evaluating, identifying, and addressing communication needs that affect students' educational performance, functional communication, social interaction, and access to the general education curriculum. The successful candidate will demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to provide effective services to students with a broad range of communication needs, including speech sound disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, fluency, voice, social communication, and complex communication needs. The Speech-Language Pathologist works collaboratively with educators, families, administrators, and multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized, evidence-based interventions that promote student progress, independence, and meaningful participation in the educational environment.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders from an accredited institution.
- Current State of Maine licensure and applicable Maine Department of Education certification or authorization required to serve as a school-based Speech-Language Pathologist.
- Knowledge of speech and language development, assessment, intervention, and the educational impact of communication disorders.
- Understanding of applicable federal and state special education laws and regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Maine Unified Special Education Regulation (MUSER).
- Ability to work effectively with students across multiple grade levels, educational settings, and a wide range of communication needs.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
- Ability to maintain accurate documentation, manage a service schedule, and meet established timelines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
- Previous experience providing speech-language services in a public school or other educational setting.
- Experience working with students with diverse learning, developmental, behavioral, and communication needs.
- Knowledge and experience with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), assistive technology, and functional communication systems.
- Experience collaborating with special education teams and implementing services within inclusive educational environments.
- Familiarity with educationally relevant assessment practices, progress monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Assessment and Evaluation
- Conduct comprehensive speech and language screenings, initial evaluations, and reevaluations using appropriate standardized assessments, informal measures, observations, interviews, and curriculum-based data.
- Assess speech sound production, receptive and expressive language, fluency, voice, social communication, and other areas of communication as appropriate to student needs.
- Evaluate the educational impact of identified communication needs, including their influence on academic performance, functional communication, social participation, and access to instruction.
- Prepare comprehensive evaluation reports that clearly identify student strengths, areas of need, assessment findings, and recommendations for educational programming.
- Present and explain evaluation results to families, educators, administrators, and multidisciplinary teams in a clear, professional, and understandable manner.
- Participate in special education eligibility determinations and educational planning in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements.
Intervention and Service Delivery
- Develop, implement, and monitor individualized speech-language interventions aligned with student needs and Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals.
- Provide direct and indirect speech-language services through individual, small-group, classroom-based, and consultative models, as determined by student needs and IEP Team decisions.
- Deliver evidence-based interventions addressing articulation, phonology, language development, fluency, voice, social communication, and functional communication.
- Support students with complex communication needs, including the assessment, implementation, and ongoing use of augmentative and alternative communication systems.
- Adapt therapeutic approaches, instructional materials, and intervention strategies to meet the developmental, academic, behavioral, and communication needs of students.
- Integrate speech-language interventions with classroom instruction and functional school-based activities when appropriate.
- Collaborate with educators and related service providers to promote the generalization of communication skills across educational environments.
- Monitor student performance and progress toward established goals, using data to inform instruction, intervention strategies, and recommendations to the IEP Team.
- Implement services in accordance with student IEPs, established service schedules, and district procedures.
Collaboration and Consultation
- Serve as a resource to general education teachers, special education teachers, educational technicians, administrators, and families regarding speech-language development and effective communication supports.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support student access, participation, and success across educational settings.
- Participate in IEP meetings, eligibility meetings, reevaluation meetings, and other student-centered planning discussions as appropriate.
- Provide consultation and recommendations regarding classroom accommodations, communication strategies, instructional modifications, and assistive technology.
- Support school staff in understanding and implementing communication strategies, including the use of AAC systems and other individualized supports.
- Collaborate with families to encourage consistency between school-based interventions and communication opportunities outside of school.
- Contribute to schoolwide and districtwide initiatives supporting inclusive practices, early intervention, and student achievement.
- Maintain professional, timely, and respectful communication with families, colleagues, and administrators.
Compliance, Documentation, and Case Management
- Maintain accurate, complete, and timely evaluation records, service documentation, progress monitoring data, and other required educational records.
- Develop and contribute to IEP documentation, including present levels of academic achievement and functional performance, measurable annual goals, service recommendations, and progress reports.
- Ensure that speech-language services are provided and documented in accordance with students' IEPs and applicable federal and state requirements.
- Complete progress reports and other required documentation in accordance with district expectations and established timelines.
- Maintain service delivery records and documentation required for district reporting and applicable MaineCare billing procedures.
- Communicate promptly with appropriate team members and administrators regarding service delivery concerns, scheduling challenges, and barriers to IEP implementation.
- Participate in established procedures for referrals, evaluations, reevaluations, eligibility determinations, and IEP development.
- Maintain confidentiality of student information in accordance with FERPA, IDEA, and applicable state and district requirements.
- Demonstrate professional judgment and ethical practice consistent with applicable professional standards.
Districtwide Service Coordination
- Provide speech-language services across assigned district schools, grade levels, and educational programs according to student needs and district staffing assignments.
- Develop and maintain an effective service schedule that supports the delivery of mandated services while allowing for evaluation, consultation, documentation, and collaboration.
- Demonstrate flexibility in responding to changes in student enrollment, service needs, caseload distribution, and building assignments.
- Collaborate with Special Services administration, IEP Coordinators, and building teams to support continuity of services and appropriate coordination of student programming.
- Participate in districtwide speech-language team meetings, professional learning opportunities, and collaborative problem-solving activities.
- Assist in identifying service delivery needs, resource considerations, and opportunities to improve districtwide speech-language practices.
Professional Responsibilities and Development
- Maintain professional licensure, certification, and other credentials required for the position.
- Engage in ongoing professional learning to remain current with evidence-based speech-language assessment and intervention practices.
- Participate in district professional development, department meetings, job-alike activities, and collaborative initiatives.
- Share professional knowledge, resources, and effective practices with colleagues and educational teams.
- Demonstrate professionalism, ethical decision-making, flexibility, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Support a positive, collaborative, and student-centered educational environment.
Additional Duties Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Special Services, building administrators, or other administrators as designated by the Superintendent of Schools. Equipment Uses standard office and instructional equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, scanners, and communication devices, as well as specialized speech-language assessment materials, therapeutic resources, assistive technology, and augmentative and alternative communication systems. Travel Requirements Travel between district buildings, assigned educational settings, and professional meetings may be required based on student needs and district assignments. Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards Works in school, classroom, therapy, and office environments. Responsibilities may require standing, sitting, walking, bending, positioning instructional materials, and actively engaging with students of varying ages and abilities. The position requires the ability to manage multiple responsibilities, maintain attention to detail, respond appropriately to student needs, and work effectively in dynamic educational environments. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Compensation
Compensation is based on education and experience in accordance with the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. Teacher Salary Range: $46,119–$83,057. Collective Bargaining Agreement Equal Opportunity Employer Saco School Department is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunity. We encourage qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Note: This job description is intended to illustrate the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties and assignments may be adjusted based on district needs and in accordance with applicable laws and collective bargaining agreements.