Dean of Student Supports

Job Description

Job Description

Dean of Student Supports

Our Mission

Innovation Charter High School nurtures and develops students to be academically successful, socially mature, emotionally healthy, and equipped to lead self-directed and fulfilling lives. By instilling the core values of collaboration, tolerance, respect, activism, safety and innovation, students will graduate prepared for success in college and careers.

Summary of the Role

Reporting to the Principal, the Dean of Student Supports is an instructional leader responsible for special education compliance, teacher coaching and development, and school-wide student support systems, working closely with the School Management Team to integrate student support across the school. The Dean oversees all IEP and 504 compliance, leads the special education department, drives Response to Intervention (RTI) efforts, and ensures all students with disabilities receive high-quality, legally compliant services. Innovation provides an inclusive high school setting for students through co-teaching, case management, differentiated instruction, and collaborative problem-solving. We believe in a collaborative approach with special educators, general education teachers, families, and student support teams working together to ensure students with IEPs access rigorous instruction, feel known and supported, and make meaningful academic and social-emotional growth. Innovation serves students in grades 9-12 and typically 32-35% of our students have an IEP. We believe that inclusion is not a program but a practice and we see special education as both advocacy and instructional excellence.

Key Responsibilities

School Leadership & Compliance

• Participate as a member of the Instructional Leadership Team; Advocate for students with disabilities in all school-wide instructional planning
• Act as the school’s primary liaison with the district Committee on Special Education (CSE) to schedule evaluations, facilitate IEP meetings, and ensure compliance with all state and federal mandates
• Oversee implementation of all IEP and 504 plans, including monitoring of timelines, mandated services, testing accommodations, and related service delivery
• Manage SESIS, PowerSchool, and support ATS data management; Complete all required NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) reporting including the SpEd Per Pupil Invoice
• Submit accurate reports and data to the CSE, NYCPS, and school administration by all required due dates including close collaboration with the Dean of Academic Operations on per pupil billing
• Coordinate beginning- and end-of-year records transfers and onboarding of related service personnel and paraprofessionals
• Coordinate transition activities including functional vocational evaluations and person-centered planning meetings
• Serve as primary owner of supports for multilingual learners and any related compliance

Teacher Coaching & Department Development

• Observe and provide feedback on the implementation of research-based interventions and co-teaching models used at Innovation
• Lead Special Education Department Meetings and co-facilitate Intellectual Planning meetings with Assistant Principals, as needed, to support differentiated instruction and IEP goal integration in lesson plans
• Provide ongoing professional development on topics such as IEP management and implementation, goal writing, progress monitoring, and parent communication for Special Education and Multilingual Learners teachers through workshops, observation/feedback and coaching, and other adult learning modalities
• Collaborate with the School Management Team on staff observation, performance, and hiring recommendations
• As needed, teach SETSS to small groups of students

Response to Intervention (RTI)

• Lead the school’s RTI team with close collaboration and support from the Dean of Academic Operations and Assistant Principal of Humanities and Intervention
• Coordinate academic and social-emotional learning groups with Academic Deans, teachers, and the Data Team
• Monitor RTI plan implementation; Ensure weekly data entry and teacher follow-through
• Assist in iReady and NYSESLAT testing and Regents administration in collaboration with the Dean of Academic Operations, ensuring all students receive mandated accommodations

Family Engagement & Enrollment

• Build strong relationships with families; Clearly communicate the special education process, parental rights under IDEA, and student progress
• Lead quarterly parent forums to support families in reinforcing student supports at home
• Meet with newly enrolled families to review IEPs, assess needs, and support smooth transition into the school

Qualifications

Required

• Three or more years teaching in an ICT or special education setting with demonstrated student achievement results
• Minimum of two years of experience in special education case management, program coordination, or teaching in a charter or public school
• Experience with teacher development including effective facilitation of group professional learning and individual observation/feedback and instructional coaching
• Strong knowledge of IDEA, federal and state special education law, and NYCPS policies
• Demonstrated knowledge of data-informed instruction and interpretation of assessment data relevant for supporting students with IEPs and multilingual learners
• Proficiency in SESIS and Google/Microsoft Office Suite
• Master’s degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field
• Initial or Professional 7-12 Students with Disabilities (SWD) Certification (New York State or another state with reciprocity)

Preferred

• Experience with RTI or similar approaches to responsive student supports
• Bilingual (Spanish)

Additional Information

Immediate Supervisor: The Principal and/or their designee.

Salary & Benefits: This is a full-time, 12-month position. Innovation offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience with a salary range of $95,000 - $110,000, plus medical, dental, vision, life insurance, Paid Family Leave, and a 401(k) with up to 5% employer match.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Innovation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.