Summary of the Role

Reporting to the Principal, the Manager of Student Supports is responsible for leading the school's special education compliance systems, coordinating student support services, and ensuring students with disabilities receive high-quality, legally compliant services. Working closely with the School Management Team, the Manager oversees all IEP and 504 compliance, leads Response to Intervention (RTI) coordination, and serves as the school's primary expert on special education regulations and implementation.

Innovation provides an inclusive high school setting for students through co-teaching, case management, differentiated instruction, and collaborative problem-solving. We believe in a collaborative approach with special educators, general education teachers, families, and student support teams working together to ensure students with IEPs access rigorous instruction, feel known and supported, and make meaningful academic and social-emotional growth. Innovation serves students in grades 9-12, and typically 32-35% of our students have an IEP. We believe that inclusion is not a program but a practice and we see special education as both advocacy and instructional excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Compliance & Student Supports Leadership

• Serve as the school's primary liaison with the district Committee on Special Education (CSE) to schedule evaluations, facilitate IEP meetings, and ensure compliance with all state and federal mandates.
• Oversee implementation of all IEP and 504 plans, including monitoring timelines, mandated services, testing accommodations, and related service delivery.
• Manage SESIS, PowerSchool, and support ATS data management.
• Complete all required NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) reporting, including the Special Education Per Pupil Invoice.
• Submit accurate reports and data to the CSE, NYCPS, and school administration by all required deadlines, including close collaboration with the Dean of Academic Operations on per-pupil billing.
• Coordinate beginning- and end-of-year records transfers and onboarding of related service providers and paraprofessionals.
• Coordinate transition activities, including functional vocational evaluations and person-centered planning meetings.
• Serve as the primary owner of supports for multilingual learners and related compliance requirements.
• Advise school leaders on special education regulations and ensure school-wide compliance with IDEA and applicable state requirements.

Student Support Coordination

• Coordinate implementation of special education services across the school to ensure students receive all required supports.
• Facilitate Special Education Department meetings focused on compliance updates, operational planning, and student support coordination.
• Partner with Assistant Principals and teachers to ensure IEP accommodations, goals, and service requirements are implemented consistently.
• Develop and deliver training on compliance topics including IEP implementation, documentation requirements, progress monitoring, and parent communication. (though this might not mean leading formal PDs, this role would have to do some level of training at the manager level to support effective IEP implementation)
• Serve as a resource to teachers and staff by providing guidance on special education processes and instructional accommodations.
• Collaborate with school leadership on staffing needs and service delivery planning.
• As needed, teach SETSS to small groups of students.

Response to Intervention (RTI)

• Coordinate the school's RTI process in collaboration with the Dean of Academic Operations and Assistant Principal of Humanities and Intervention.
• Coordinate academic and social-emotional intervention groups with APs, teachers, and the Data Team.
• Monitor implementation of RTI plans and ensure timely documentation and teacher follow-through.
• Assist in iReady, NYSESLAT, and Regents administration in collaboration with the Dean of Academic Operations, ensuring all students receive mandated accommodations.

Family Engagement & Enrollment

• Build strong relationships with families and clearly communicate the special education process, parental rights under IDEA, and student progress.
• Lead quarterly parent forums to support families in reinforcing student supports at home.
• Meet with newly enrolled families to review IEPs, assess needs, and support smooth transitions into the school.

Qualifications

Required

• Three or more years teaching in an ICT or special education setting with demonstrated student achievement results.
• Minimum of two years of experience in special education case management, program coordination, or teaching in a charter or public school.
• Experience coordinating special education services, compliance processes, or student support systems.
• Strong knowledge of IDEA, federal and state special education law, and NYC Public Schools policies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of data-informed instruction and interpretation of assessment data relevant to supporting students with IEPs and multilingual learners.
• Proficiency with SESIS and Google/Microsoft Office Suite.
• Master's degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• Initial or Professional 7-12 Students with Disabilities (SWD) Certification (New York State or another state with reciprocity).

Preferred

• Experience with RTI or similar approaches to responsive student supports
• Bilingual (Spanish)

Additional Information

Immediate Supervisor: The Principal and/or their designee.

Salary & Benefits: This is a full-time, 12-month position. Innovation offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience with a salary range of $80,000-$95,000, plus medical, dental, vision, life insurance, Paid Family Leave, and a 401(k) with up to 5% employer match.