Dean of Student Support (Special Education)

Together | A Future Without Limits KIPP New Orleans Schools (KNOS) is a non-profit network of 12 college/career-preparatory, public charter schools serving approximately 5,000 elementary, middle, and high school students, and over 2,000 alumni.  While each of our schools is as unique as the community to which it belongs, we are united around a shared promise: To build academically excellent schools that create unlimited opportunity for all students. For 20 years, we have a proven track record of preparing students for success in college, career, and beyond. At KIPP, you have the freedom to innovate and the support to grow. You never stop learning, and you’re part of a national network that’s leading the way in getting students from underserved communities to and through college, and beyond. As the largest charter school management organization in New Orleans, we serve nearly 15% of the city’s students, so we need passionate teammates to join us to make their impact at KIPP. Where will YOU take us?  Click here to learn more about teaching and working at KIPP! The Dean of Student Support Services (DSS) is responsible for ensuring that all students receiving special education services receive comprehensive, compassionate, and equitable services in order to achieve significant academic gains for all of our students with IEPs. The Dean of Student Support will lead the implementation, and management of KNOS Special Education Program, policies, and procedures, and work collaboratively with all Student Support Teammates (Social Workers, Psychologists, MTSS Coordinators and SLPs), Service Providers and families to provide a strong educational program for all KIPPsters. Key DSS Leadership Skills: - Ability to execute consistent and effective coaching cycle with specialized programs coaching focus) - Ability to develop continuum-aligned and targeted schedules for self, SPED teachers, and related service providers that drive urgent academic & compliance outcomes - Ability to manage a multidisciplinary team  to generate IEP aligned outcomes for students (SPED Teachers, Social Worker, ESL Teacher, SLP & Psychologist- in collaboration with Regional Manager) - Ability to navigate SPED Specific & KNOS Data Platforms (SER to manage & maintain student records & Tableau & Powerschool) - Establish & maintain organization systems for IEP Meetings & IEP Student Records maintenance (SER/Binders) - Establish & execute system audits for IEP Meetings & Student Records (SER/Binders) - Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with school based leadership team members to problem solve and ensure the fidelity of individualized plans (IEPs, 504s, BIPs, etc.)  - Ability to communicate and collaborate with families to ensure deep partnership & transparency in supporting student with IEP - Maintain a pulse on the health of all diverse learner programming including instruction, behavior, social/emotional progress, and adaptive skill development Dean of Student Support Instructional Duties: - Engage in observation, real-time coaching & feedback cycle for specialized settings on Instructional Coaching caseload - Plan, Prepare and execute weekly coaching check-ins with teachers of specialized settings  - Develop, maintain, and audit SPED Teacher schedules to ensure continuum-aligned instructional minutes mirror IEP program services   - Develop, maintain, and audit Related Service Provider schedules to ensure instructional minutes align with IEP program services Dean of Student Support Compliance Duties: - Train Special Education teachers on how to effectively write an IEP and monitor progress to goal - Facilitate IEP meetings within timeline - Provide feedback to case-managers on 100% of IEPs before entering and finalizing in SER  - Develop, maintain, and share IEP calendar with all key stakeholders to ensure case managers are able to complete 100% of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in timeline   - Develop and execute a cycle of weekly/bi-weekly student service log audits including reviews of recent IEP meeting paperwork to ensure ongoing compliance. Ensure that all teachers and leaders are aware of scholars ELL, IEP and 504 accommodations and have visible structures to implement with fidelity  - Collaborate w/ MTSS Team to develop & monitor 504 plans & organize & communicate accommodations to all teachers, families & administrators  - Manage service providers through regular check-ins to ensure all compliance outcomes within timeline - Collaborate with Psychologists to meet all evaluation deadlines and remove barriers through regular  check-ins - Lead teams to meet schoolwide compliance outcomes. - Collaborate with SOL to coordinate & problem solve ongoing Special Transportation challenges (Special Transportation is owned by School based DSO)  Dean of Student Support Discipline Duties: - Collaborate with Leadership Team to consult on and monitor suspensions of all students with IEPs & execute MDR Meeting when any students exceed 10 suspensions - Collaborate with MTSS Team and write behavior Intervention plans and attend all FBA/BIP Meetings - Advocating for ability to engage and model restorative approaches to discipline with students, families and teachers serving students diverse learners with IEPs Key Sped Compliance Leadership Responsibilities: - 10/1: 100% SPED students within jurisdiction & meet compliance requirements - 2/1: 100% SPED students within jurisdiction & meet compliance requirements - LEAP Connect Assessment Qualifications & Administration: 100% SPED students who meet requirements qualify & complete LEAP Connect assessment  - KNOS & State Testing Accommodations, Groupings & Administration: 100% SPED students receive IEP aligned  accommodations & complete all assessments - Modification of KNOS Curriculum/Student Work: 100% SPED students receive IEP aligned modifications and accommodations in core content classes In support of KIPP New Orleans Schools' commitment to providing a safe and orderly learning environment, all school-based employees are expected to perform the following essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation: - Maintain active supervision of students in classrooms, hallways, common areas, and other school settings as assigned to ensure student safety and well-being.   - Be physically present and engaged in assigned work locations during the scheduled workday to fulfill responsibilities requiring in-person interaction with students, families, and colleagues.   - Respond appropriately to school emergencies and actively participate in emergency response procedures, including but not limited to evacuations, lockdowns, shelter-in-place, reunification, and other crisis protocols.   - Support student and staff safety by implementing established behavioral expectations and utilizing de-escalation strategies when appropriate, consistent with district policies and training.   - Maintain situational awareness and communicate promptly with school leadership and emergency personnel during safety incidents.   - Participate in required safety, emergency preparedness, and crisis response training. - IEP Meetings: 100% of IEP meetings are held within timelines & all documentation is completed and organized in Students Records (SER & Binder) - Student Records: Digitize, organize & maintain compliance student records for 100% of sped students The following are required of all KIPP New Orleans Dean of Student Support:  - Bachelor’s degree - 3+ years teaching experience in urban, open enrollment schools and demonstrated student results at an exemplary level - Personal affinity to our mission and vision, as well as demonstrated commitment to our 5 core beliefs - Relentlessness, Equity, Achievement, Community, and Hope - Offers are contingent upon successful completion of a professional reference check, proof of identity and work authorization (all KNOS employees must complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form), a state background check, and verification of teaching experience The following are strongly preferred for all KIPP New Orleans Deans of Student Support: - Masters in Education or aligned content - 3+ years teaching experience with at least 2 years of leadership experience in urban, open enrollment schools and demonstrated student results at an exemplary level in both roles - State issued teaching credential and/or certification in special education Work Environment and Physical Demands The physical demands and environmental conditions described below are representative, but not exhaustive, of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. All of these physical requirements should be able to be performed with clarity, coherence and connectedness of the KNOS vision, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. - While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to communicate information and ideas effectively so others will understand.  - Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations, including noisy environments such as cafeterias and playgrounds, to more moderate situations such as classrooms or large group professional settings. - Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). - This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and various digital devices, and one needs to be able to read, analyze, and interpret data (emails, memos, letters, etc.) and maintain visual attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time. - Ability to meet the physical demands of classroom teaching (standing, circulating, occasional lifting/moving of classroom materials); Able to sit and work at a desk/computer for extended periods of time. - Employees must be able to move throughout the school campus, including classrooms, hallways, stairwells, playgrounds, cafeterias, and other instructional or student activity spaces, and may be required to stand, walk, or respond quickly during routine supervision or emergency situations. - Ability to safely lift and move up to 30 lbs independently - Employees must be able to move throughout the school campus, including classrooms, hallways, stairwells, playgrounds, cafeterias, and other instructional or student activity spaces, and may be required to stand, walk, or respond quickly during routine supervision or emergency situations. - Duties may require traveling to other school facilities using employee's personal transportation. - This is a full-time, 100% on-site position; Regular work hours, Monday through Friday, will be established with your supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Work Authorization - Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer. Commitments - Maintain a friendly, respectful, professional and courteous attitude with all people, including all KNOS employees, Board members, community and philanthropic partners, funders, and vendors. - Model superior customer service behavior by maintaining positive relationships with all KNOS stakeholders. - Contribute as a positive and effective team member; work effectively with other team members to accomplish KNOS goals.  - Be prompt and available for flexible scheduling; be honest and fair in all professional dealings. - Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, and we routinely engage in compensation analysis for all roles across the organization to ensure that we remain competitive in the market.  - 403(b) retirement plan – KNOS matches 100% of employee contribution up to the first 5% of salary and any bonuses. Vested immediately in 403(b). - KNOS employees are eligible for health and wellbeing benefits starting the first day of the month following their Date of Hire. - Comprehensive, customizable health coverage, including disability, life insurance, hospital indemnity, FSAs for health and dependent care, and free dental and vision for employees. - KNOS employees are provided ~30 paid holidays and additional paid time off. - Opportunities for on-going professional development. Disclaimer: - Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. - This job description shall not constitute or be construed as a promise of employment or as a contract between KNOS and any of its employees. KIPP New Orleans Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer: At KIPP New Orleans Schools, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran service, genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. KNOS expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on any of the characteristics listed here. Improper interference with the ability of KNOS employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. KNOS complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the KNOS has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Contact Us: Please contact our regional Talent Team at [email protected] with any questions.