Special Services Manager

About the Opportunity

Democracy Prep Public Schools seeks a Manager of Special Services to serve as the school-based leader responsible for the execution of all Special Services programming.

This role ensures the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of services for Students with Disabilities (SWDs), Multilingual Learners (MLLs), and students receiving additional academic and behavioral supports. The Manager of Special Services is accountable for the systems, structures, and day-to-day operations that ensure Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 plans, and multilingual learner services are implemented with fidelity.

As a member of the school leadership team, the Manager of Special Services serves as the primary owner of compliance, service delivery, and risk management related to Special Services. This includes leading legally mandated  meetings, managing family communication, overseeing related service providers, and ensuring that all mandated services are delivered in accordance with IDEA, NYSED, NYC DOE, and network expectations.  While directly managed by the principal of the school, this role will receive ongoing coaching and support from network staff.

In addition, this role manages Special Education staff to ensure that instructional supports, accommodations, and services outlined in student plans (i.e. IEP and 504) are consistently and effectively implemented.  The Manager will also directly provide services to students through SETSS or ICT instruction, dependent upon caseload, staff, and the distribution of roles and responsibilities at the campus level by the Manager.

This role works in close partnership with network Special Services leadership, who set vision and systems, while the Manager of Special Services is responsible for implementation at the school level.

Anticipated Start Date: 2026–2027 School Year

Work Schedule

This is a fully on-site, school-based role that requires in-person attendance five days per week. The position does not include a remote or work-from-home option.

Who You Are: 

• A mission-driven educator committed to Democracy Prep’s mission of college success and authentic civic engagement for all scholars.
• A strong systems leader who can manage complex compliance requirements while maintaining a focus on student outcomes.
• An expert in IDEA, Section 504, NYSED regulations, and multilingual learner requirements.
• An experienced leader of Special Education teams, with a track record of ensuring strong implementation of IEPs and services.
• A proactive problem-solver who can anticipate risks and ensure strong execution of services.
• A strong communicator who can navigate high-stakes family conversations and lead legally binding meetings with confidence.
• A collaborative leader who works effectively with school leadership, network teams, and external providers.
• An organized and detail-oriented manager who ensures accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across systems.
• Advanced degree and current (or eligibility for) NY certification in Special Education.

What You'll Do

Oversee Special Services Delivery and Compliance

• Ensure full implementation of all IEP, 504, and MLL services in alignment with legal and network requirements.
• This can include delivering services in addition to managing the team delivering those services (e.g. ICT and SETSS)
• Maintain full ownership of SESIS accuracy, compliance documentation, and audit readiness.
• Monitor service delivery to ensure that all mandated services, accommodations, and modifications are provided accurately and on time.
• Identify and proactively mitigate compliance risks related to Special Services programming.

Manage Special Services Staff and Instructional Implementation

• Directly manage Special Education teachers, paraprofessionals, and service providers, inclusive of specialized settings (e.g. 12:1 settings, etc.).
• Ensure that teachers and staff consistently implement IEPs, accommodations, and mandated supports and services with fidelity.
• Observe and monitor classroom implementation of services and provide targeted feedback related to compliance and specialized instructional techniques.
• Support staff in executing their responsibilities related to service delivery, documentation, and progress monitoring.
• In some cases, directly provide services to students through SETSS or ICT instruction based on school case load to ensure continuity of services.

Lead Case Management and Family Engagement

• Serve as the primary leader of IEP meetings, reevaluations, and other legally required meetings.
• Manage high-stakes family communication related to student services, placement, and compliance.
• Partner with families to ensure clarity, trust, and alignment around student support plans.
• Collaborate with CSE and external stakeholders to ensure appropriate service provision.

Lead MTSS and Intervention Systems

• Oversee school-based MTSS systems, including academic and behavioral data cycles.
• Ensure that intervention systems are implemented with fidelity and aligned to student needs.
• Partner with academic and SEL teams to coordinate supports for students across tiers.

Partner with School and Network Leadership

• Collaborate with school leadership to ensure Special Services are integrated into the broader instructional and operational vision.
• Partner with Operations on testing accommodations, state testing logistics, and compliance documentation.
• Work closely with network Special Services leaders to implement systems, policies, and priorities.
• Participate actively in school leadership team meetings and planning processes.

*May be assigned other duties as needed

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $73,000 to $125,652+, with the upper end of the range reserved for candidates with 20+ years of relevant experience. The majority of hires for this role are expected to fall within a range of $79,481 to $106,618, depending on factors such as New York State certification status and years of completed teaching and special education leadership experience. This role also includes an additional $15,000 stipend. This is a 12-month, in-person position, reporting five days a week to one of our ten schools across Harlem and the Bronx. 

Democracy Prep employees are provided with a benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental insurance, 403B matching, parental leave, a smartphone, and a laptop. 

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Democracy Prep is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Our mission is to educate responsible citizen-scholars who will change the world. We strongly believe that by building a DREAM team that represents numerous perspectives, backgrounds, and expertises, we can achieve this goal together. This is a value we highly support and strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. #Dem123