Special Populations Coordinator

Special Populations Coordinator, Brooklyn, New York

In-Person Work Required
This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.

WHO WE ARE
Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing 1,700 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to provide the conditions that nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers.  As an organization we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools, while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community.

WHO YOU ARE 
Explore Schools seeks an experienced education professional dedicated to serving special populations to lead as a Special Populations Coordinator. You have experience teaching special education and some knowledge of managing and coordinating services. You are committed to student success and adept at fostering collaboration between internal and external service providers. You have a track record of success in relationship-building and communicating sensitive and direct information.  

Additionally, you: 

• Are dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced 

• Are committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues 

• Have a proven record of inspiring growth amongst special populations students taught  

• Are actively engaged in identity work and necessary conversations to dismantle white supremacy culture 

• You are flexible and willing to provide support as needed, and can provide strategic solutions when faced with changes 

• Have exceptional communication skills to effectively share information in a direct and sensitive way 

• Are detail-oriented and highly organized 

• Have a bachelor’s degree (required) 

• Have at least three years of experience teaching special populations 

It’s preferred that you: 

• Have experience leading a team of educators and/or coaching teachers 

• Have a master's in education 

• Have three years of program coordination or a combination of overseeing services and supervision or coaching of others 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 
The school-based Special Populations Coordinator (SPC) is responsible for the ownership and support of services for all special populations, including students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), students who are Multilingual Learners (MLLs), and students who are deemed in need of additional support. The SPC will be the primary liaison with the Committee on Special Education (CSE). Additionally, the SPC will be responsible for strategically scheduling all services and classes for students receiving services to maximize learning time while ensuring that the school is in compliance.  The SPC may coach or supervise teachers providing services to students directly. You will be expected to manage the following daily: 

Vision and Instructional Programming: 

• This includes curriculum, assessment, scheduling, training, monitoring, and more for: 
• SpEd: Related Services, SETSS, ICT, 12:1:1 (where applicable) 
• MLL:  Multilingual Learners 
• Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) programming: response to intervention, small group intervention 
• Collaborating with instructional leadership team on a school-wide plan for MTSS and training teachers as necessary. 

• Creating and maintaining structures aligned to the shared vision for MTSS 

• Facilitating meetings and training to increase teacher capacity aligned to the vision  

• Leading all Tier 3 interventions and services 

• Tracking, monitoring, and responding to instructional data  

• Ensuring students with IEPs and MLs receive high-quality instruction aligned to the network vision 

Special Education Directing and Compliance: 

• Provision of all services, including mandated services, related services, compliance, timelines, billing etc. for students: 
• with IEPs 
• in need of additional support  
• Coordination of Special Populations services 

• Creating strategic service and class schedules, ensuring the school complies with all mandates while maximizing learning time. 

• Leading progress monitoring and reporting for all Special Populations students 

• Leading the creation and implementation of 504 plans with families and staff 

• Coordinating all required family communication and creating best practices around family engagement for the families of the school’s special populations 

• Coordinating with the Committee on Special Education (CSE) in the following ways: 
• Planning and participating in meetings (e.g., initial evaluations, IEP annual reviews, triennials, MDRs, etc.) 
• Leading related services 
• Advocating for student needs in partnership with families 

Multilingual Learner (MLL) Directing and Compliance: 

• Identification and provision of services 

• Timelines 

• Assessment coordination  

• Data Analysis 

Leadership and Talent Management: 

• Serving as the school team expert on special populations as a member of the school leadership team 

• Collaborating with the leadership team to identify academic priorities, set measurable goals to achieve priorities, and monitor progress towards goals. 

• Coaching (with the potential of managing and supervising) a portfolio of Special Populations teachers, including regular coaching cycles, setting and reflecting on termly teacher development goals, the teacher evaluation, and, when necessary, the performance improvement process.  

• Providing professional development for special populations programming and initiatives school-wide. 

• Collaborate with ESI and cross-network colleagues to lead programmatic and curricular implementation at your school and to support network-wide professional development days 

• Participate in recruitment, selection, and retention of staff 

• Consistently model Explore’s operating values in both written and verbal interactions with all members of our community.  
• Paraprofessional and Related Services management  

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Explore Schools staff members receive a competitive salary, paid time off including network shutdown days, considerable matching of retirement contributions, and more.

• The salary range for incoming Academic Coordinators is $85,000 - $100,000. This is our good faith range at the time of posting.
• Incoming salaries are determined based on experience and internal equity.
• Because we value staff members staying in their roles over time, we do not currently cap salary ranges and this is the range for incoming staff members only.
• This is base salary and does not include additional compensation opportunities, such as signing bonuses, additional time worked pay, stipends, leadership opportunities, and additional pay for specialized certifications and advanced degrees.

Additionally, you can expect:

• A comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, employer paid disability and life insurance, parental leave benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time and paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, employee assistance program (EAP), childcare assistance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, and more! 
• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities  
• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment   
• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning   
• Our school-based staff also receive:   
• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals   
• Continued education support: staff are eligible to receive scholarship funds towards qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition  

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Explore Schools is a network of 6 charter schools located in Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. Our schools are currently operating fully in-person. For this position:

• In-person work is required
• This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.
• The standard workweek is 45 hours, though at times you may work more.
• This role requires that you be able to stand for at least 5 hours a day, take multiple trips up and down the stairs in a day, and be able to move quickly in an emergency.
• This role also requires that you be able to lift up to 15 pounds.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As discussed in our Who We Are section, Explore Schools is an equal opportunity employer. It is important to us that all staff members have a place of employment that is free of discrimination of all kinds and where staff can bring their authentic selves to work. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran, or military status. If any employee or applicant believes they have been discriminated against, they should let Tiffany Williams know immediately.