Leaders In Our Neighborhood (LION) Charter School’s mission is to develop the character of each student. We unite students, families, and staff in helping each individual achieve their best academically, and in sports, the arts, and service to the community. We believe that passion for learning, self-discovery, leadership, and social conscience are the foundation for success in college and fulfillment in life. We believe that all children, regardless of their neighborhood, race, or income, are gifted with special talents to offer the world, and that school is a place for students to develop the skills and mindsets needed to become their best selves. Furthermore, we assert that human beings are more complex than annual data points, and that the fulfillment of a person’s life correlates not simply to test scores, but even more so to their relationships with others and the content of their character. With our family partnership and character approach model, we focus on helping students develop their character and the skills they need for life through rigorous academics, self-discovery, and family involvement.

Overview of Role:

The Special Education Administrative team at LION seeks a temporary Special Education Administrative Assistant to support the team (Special Education Director, Elementary School Assistant Principal of Operations and Special Populations, Middle School Director of Student Services and Support, and High School Director of Student Services and Support) in managing systems that track and ensure our students receive Special Education services in compliance with the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The temporary Special Education Administrative Assistant provides critical operational and administrative support to the Special Education Administrative team through managing systems of compliance, data, and communication.

Essential Responsibilities

Compliance

• Maintain online and physical IEP filing systems for the three school divisions ensuring that systems are compliant with IDEA and FERPA regulations.
• Support the Special Education Administrative team in maintaining deadlines specific to all IEP meetings (initial evaluation meetings, annual review meetings, triennial review meetings, re-evaluation meetings, etc.) and managing documentation necessary for all meetings.
• Ensure accurate student information (including but not limited to students’ current services, meeting compliance dates, testing accommodations, evaluations in process, etc.) is maintained and updated in LION’s systems for tracking special education services and aligned with NYC Public Schools’ (NYCPS) data information systems (e.g., SESIS).
• Support the Special Education Administrative team in ensuring all due process procedures, as they pertain to Special Education, are being met.

Communication

• Communicate regularly with the Committee on Special Education (CSE), LION Special Education Administrative team, and families in regards to meetings, progress of evaluations, concerns, etc.
• Take notes during meetings and distribute notes to all parties who need information following guidelines of confidentiality.
• Support the Special Education Administrative team in communicating clear expectations between Division Principals and other stakeholders (including, but not limited to: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Academic Officer, Special Education Teachers, CSE, academic teams, General Education Teachers, etc.).
• Manage and provide language interpretation for families to participate in all meetings pertaining to Special Education:
• Perform verbal translations in meetings and complete written translations of documents connected to students’ IEPs for families that prefer to communicate in Spanish.
• Coordinate and schedule appropriate interpretation services for families with other language communication needs (e.g., languages other than Spanish and English, American Sign Language, etc.).
• Screen and prioritize incoming phone calls and requests.
• Greet visitors; determine whether unscheduled visitors should be given access to specific individuals or schedule meetings.

Data

• Support Special Education Administrative team in tracking and disseminating academic and behavioral performance of students with IEPs for necessary reports, including but not limited to disciplinary removals, IEP goal progress reports, etc.
• Maintain data needed for annual NYSED Special Education reports (e.g., PD-6, PD-8, etc.).
• Maintain up-to-date comprehensive lists of students with Special Education services, ENL services, and 504 accommodations..

Organization and Scheduling

• Support Special Education Administrative team in organizing files and paperwork.
• Support Special Education Administrative team in preparation for Professional Development sessions, etc.
• Maintain and manage the executive calendars, scheduling and supporting meetings and email.
• Coordinate and schedule IEP meetings with the CSE.
• Support Special Education Administrative team in maintenance of deadlines that staff (including but not limited to: Special Education Teachers, General Education Teachers, Related Service Providers, etc.) must meet for tracking progress of students, preparing for IEP meetings (IEP teacher reports and related service progress reports), providing documentation, etc.
• Coordinate all aspects of school visits (room assignment, schedule, etc.) by CSE team members and other stakeholders who may need to come to the school to conduct student observations, student evaluations, etc.
• Manage workflow and deadlines.

Other

• Support Special Education Administrative team members in requesting and tracking purchases specific to Special Education services.
• Manage projects independently.
• Provide administrative support and manage others.
• Support Special Education Administrative team in managing substitute paraprofessionals, maintaining necessary paperwork for substitutes (timesheets, updated responsibilities, etc.).
• Compose and distribute letters and memos.

Qualifications:

• A passion for urban education and a commitment to LION’s mission.
• A commitment to equity and antiracism work by reinforcing a culture that supports an anti-biased, anti-racist and culturally responsive environment.
• A commitment to inclusive education and the belief that all children have a right to high quality education in the least restrictive setting.
• Proven writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, both verbal and written.
• Ability to communicate and build trusting relationships and function effectively with school-based staff, students, and families.
• Organized, detail-oriented and can utilize your organizational skills to maximize time for those you support.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment, are relentless in your follow-through, and are able to stay on top of details.
• Adept at adapting systems created by others and can adapt to new technological platforms required for your role.
• Able to gain investment from multiple stakeholders, and you understand how important it is to lead behind the scenes and take ownership over the projects under your purview, while also working with different teams across the school.
• Ability to handle pressure, maintain timelines, and meet deadlines.
• Experience with Google Suite applications (Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc.) and student database systems (preferred).
• Strong interpersonal skills, team player, problem solver.
• Associates degree required; Bachelors degree preferred.

Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM; Wednesdays: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM; Fridays: 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM