Manager of Student Services

Overview

Ascend seeks a dynamic Manager of Student Services to work closely with our Director of Student Services, Principals, and Assistant Principals of Student Services to establish strong intervention and special education compliance systems, IEP case management, and MTSS programming within schools. The Manager of Student Services reports to and will work closely with the Director of Student Services to monitor special education practices and systems across Ascend schools. The Manager will also identify strong areas of implementation and work continuously to improve effectiveness across schools by providing direct support to both Principals and Assistant Principals of Student Services.

Why extraordinary professionals teach at Ascend

Ascend is the largest Brooklyn-based public charter school serving nearly 6,000 K-12 students in 17 schools. We exist to serve every student – to help them embody their inherent excellence by providing rich, joyful learning experiences that unlock a life of boundless choice.

Access to education is a social justice issue. As educators, we center justice and live out our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (DEIA) by ensuring that our students have the skills, tools, and confidence they need to thrive today and in the future. We are proud to have a workforce that mirrors the diversity seen in our students. Working at Ascend provides a community focused on developing an environment of support and belonging. Educators collaborate closely and encourage each other to achieve great outcomes.

Our schools honor, nurture, and challenge the whole child. Ascend fosters critical thinking skills and a love of learning through an inquiry-based learning approach, Responsive Classroom model, and anti-racist education. We are deeply committed to advancing educational equity for all of our students. Students at Ascend benefit from a rich and rigorous liberal arts curriculum that nurtures natural curiosity about the world and guides them to think critically and independently.

For more information on Ascend Public Charter Schools’ model, approach, and core values, please visit our website.

Responsibilities

• Train around effective practices for Special Education meetings (Individualized Education Plans, 504 Plans, Multi-Tiered Support Systems)
• Audit special education billing, files, and documents for compliance
• Collaborate with Principals to strengthen Assistant Principal tactical and authentic special education compliance within schools
• Respond to emergency phone calls from school teams or network teams as needed
• Support Director of Student Support Services with compliance-related tasks
• Develop and facilitate training, including professional development for student services team members throughout the year
• Develop and distribute student service relevant network-wide templates and protocols
• Access community resources and outreach programs for families in need
• Partner and communicate with the Committee of Special Education to support students with Individualized Education Programs
• Stay current and updated regarding at-risk systems and supports, CSE requirements, and IEP laws

Staff and reporting relationships

The Manager of Student Services reports to the Managing Director of Student Support Services.

Qualifications

• 2 years experience providing direct support/leadership to school team members required
• 1-3 years of hands-on special education experience (ie. Student Services Coordinator, Dean of Special Services) (preferably in urban schools) required
• A minimum of 1-2 years experience creating and facilitating PDs for school-based staff preferred
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a combination of confidence and humility
• Effective and winning communication skills, both oral and written
• Excellent organization and planning skills, with strong attention to detail
• Collaborative style, with a proven track record of working with individuals at all levels to drive decision-making and results
• Self-awareness, with an ability to treat all members of the school’s community with respect
• Relentless commitment to ensuring the needs of all scholars are met

Compensation

Initial salary offers for this position range from $70,000 - $75,000. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and levels of attained education.