Team Lead - Compliance/Account Management, Impartial Hearing Order

Position Summary The Compliance and Account Management Team Leads will support the Compliance and Account Management teams of the Impartial Hearing Order Implementation Unit, acting as the subject area experts respectively to ensure the timely, effective and efficient review, interpretation and implementation of Impartial Hearing Orders, as well as performing professional account management work of moderate difficulty and responsibility ensuring that the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) renders payments and delivers special education services pursuant to special education due process Impartial Hearing Orders. Reporting to the Directors of Compliance and Account Management, and supporting Compliance and Account Management Coordinators, the Compliance and Account Team Lead will interpret and unpack hearing orders; review SESIS, the Impartial Hearing System, and related systems as necessary to determine compliance metrics for hearing orders; assist in ensuring Action Item implementation; monitor activities related to implementation; and be responsible for the day-to-day workflow of the Unit; respond to inquiries from parents, advocates, attorneys, and schools; collect required documentation and information to establish funding parameters; and process tuition payments pursuant to Impartial Hearing Orders. This position works closely with the Community Engagement and Support team of the Implementation Unit, Implementation Liaisons within the various Program Offices, as well as the Billing and Invoicing team of the Division of Financial Operations (DFO). Performs related work. Reports to Director of Implementation Unit Compliance; Director of Implementation Unit Account Management Key Relationships Office of the Auditor General (OAG), Office of the General Counsel Impartial Hearing Office (IHO), Committees on Special Education (CSE), Office of Related Services (ORS), Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT), Office of Student Enrollment (OSE), Office of Student Health (OSH), Division of Financial Operations (DFO), District 75 (D75), Administrators of Special Education (ASEs), Directors of Special Education (DSEs), Central Based Support Team (CBST); New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), parents, advocates and attorneys. Responsibilities Individual can be assigned to either of the work areas below. Compliance Provide ongoing information and support to Implementation Unit Staff, parents, families, attorneys and advocates related to awards for services pursuant to the special education due process hearing process in all areas of Compliance. Correspond with parents and their representatives, including public advocacy groups and attorneys regarding the status of implementation awarded special education services to students. Collaborate with the Customer Support/Community Engagement Team to ensure prompt resolution of community outreach regarding the implementation of awarded services. Review and interpret Impartial Hearing Orders to determine actions necessary to implement required remedies. Enter action item data into Decision Action Item Tracking System (DAITS) daily on a high‑volume basis. Format daily Decision Cognos Report as necessary and upload to LV Case Tracker. Assign cases for unpacking. Review unpacked orders for accuracy and approve as appropriate; take necessary steps and collaborate with staff and Team Leads for any needed corrections. Work with staff within the office and across NYCPS program offices to achieve timely implementation of orders. Support and monitor the implementation of awarded services in coordination with CSE, ASE, DSE, D75, OSE, OPT, OSH, DFO and CBST personnel. Manage DAITS for all Action Items by actively tracking all deadlines and ensuring that benchmarks are met. Interpret Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) and other Special Education Student Information System (SESIS) documents to determine pending entitlements and other required actions. Review and analyze documents in the Impartial Hearing System as necessary to ensure the accuracy of DAITS action items. Assess and determine actions necessary to solve outstanding problems and implement the required remedies. Ensure appropriate services and payments are rendered; implementation is achieved; documents are uploaded to Decision Action Item Tracking System (DAITS); outreach is conducted; and that appropriate evidence of outreach and compliance is obtained and uploaded to DAITS. Coordinate with the Account Management team within the Implementation Unit and the billing team within Division of Financial Operations to ensure timely and accurate authorizations and payments; assist in this area as needed. Respond to escalations regarding the provision of NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) services pursuant to Impartial Hearing Orders. Support training of IU and NYCPS staff, as well as external partners. Work closely with Compliance Coordinators to ensure they are supported and promote professionalism in all the above duties and responsibilities. Assist in the review and response to quarterly reports from Independent Auditor. Perform as necessary administrative and clerical tasks required to organize and optimize unit performance of all the above work. Account Management Provide ongoing information and support to Implementation Unit Staff, parents, families, attorneys and advocates related to awards for services pursuant to the special education due process hearing process in all areas of Account Management. Correspond with parents and their representatives, including public advocacy groups and attorneys regarding the status of payments for awarded special education services to students. Respond to parents, parent advocate and attorney inquiries regarding reimbursement and payment requirements and procedures; ensure that adequate and responsive procedures are in place. Coordinate the timely authorization of payments for services awarded pursuant to impartial hearing orders. Communicate with parents, parent advocates and attorneys to obtain information concerning the payment of services and provide support regarding NYCPS billing and payment procedures. Collaborate with the Customer Support/Community Engagement Team to ensure prompt resolution of community outreach regarding the implementation of awarded services. Work closely with parents, parent advocates and attorneys to effectively set up and maintain accounts for services awarded, including those pending settlement or appeal until the conclusion of the case or until the award is exhausted. Ensure appropriate services payments are rendered; payments are processed; documents are uploaded to Decision Action Item Tracking System (DAITS); outreach is conducted; and that appropriate evidence of outreach and documentation to enter payments is obtained and uploaded to DAITS. Assess and determine actions necessary to solve outstanding problems and implement the required remedies. Resolve accounting discrepancies and irregularities. Utilize computer systems for accounting purposes and to maintain adequate records regarding the implementation of administrative decisions. Perform general office management tasks, including filing and maintaining records. Research cases to determine the status of outstanding claims and calculate amounts due. Responsible for maintaining payment records regarding the implementation of administrative decisions. Examine and analyze documents regarding payments for services awarded pursuant to impartial hearing orders. Liaise with other NYCPS financial offices to ensure payments are not duplicated across NYCPS offices. Contribute to the development of internal controls, systems, and operating procedures to ensure timely and proper authorization for impartial hearing ordered services. Manage DAITS for all Action Items by actively tracking all deadlines and ensuring that benchmarks are met. Coordinate with the Compliance Team within the Implementation Unit and the billing team within Division of Financial Operations to ensure timely and accurate authorizations and payments; assist in this area as needed. Respond to escalations regarding the provision of NYCPS services pursuant to Impartial Hearing Orders. Support training of IU and NYCPS staff, as well as external partners. Work closely with Account Coordinators to ensure they are supported and promote professionalism in all the above duties and responsibilities. Assist in the review and response to quarterly reports from Independent Auditor. Perform as necessary administrative and clerical tasks required to organize and optimize unit performance of all the above work. Qualification Requirements Minimum A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two (2) years of experience in community work or community‑centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or High school graduation or equivalent and six (6) years of experience in community work or community‑centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least one (1) year of experience as described in “1” above. Preferred Analytical thinker with expertise in situational problem‑solving skills; ability to prioritize and follow up. Project management experience is a plus. Excellent interpersonal skills in working with education and non‑education personnel internally and external to the NYCPS. Strong communication skills, both spoken and written, and ability to organize facts and present information and figures in a clear, concise, and logical manner. Attentive to detail and extremely well‑organized. Ability to work under pressure and navigate an environment that is extremely high‑paced with projects under tight and changing deadlines. Ability to learn quickly and continuously and be responsive to constructive feedback. Knowledge of NYCPS policies and procedures and the ability to interpret and apply policies effectively. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Knowledge of NYCPS systems, including Impartial Hearing System, SESIS, Financial Accounting and Management Information System (FAMIS), and COGNOS. Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Excellent investigative and research skills. Enjoy a fast‑paced environment. (Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.) Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding. Equal Opportunity Employer DOE Non‑Discrimination Policy. The Department of Education of the City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's actual or perceived sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or pregnancy. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non‑Discrimination Policy. Public Service Loan Forgiveness. As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at #J-18808-Ljbffr New York City Department of Education