Position Summary: The Community Support and Engagement Team Lead will support the Community Support and Engagement team of the Impartial Hearing Order Implementation Unit, acting as the subject area expert to ensure the timely, effective and efficient communications with parents, advocates, attorneys, and schools regarding the implementation of Impartial Hearing Orders pursuant to special education due process, as well as identify pro-active opportunities to engage with the community regarding the implementation process. Reporting to the Director of Community Support and Engagement, and supporting the Community Support and Engagement Coordinators, the Community Support and Engagement Team Lead will support the creation of programs and initiatives to engage the community in the implementation process and facilitate the flow of information to parents, advocates, attorneys, and schools. Performs related work.
Reports to: Director of Community Support and Engagement, Impartial Hearing Order Implementation Unit
Direct Reports: N/A
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), and Central Based Support Team (CBST); New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), parents, advocates and attorneys.
Responsibilities
- Provide ongoing information and support to parents, families, attorneys, and advocates related to awards for services and/or payment pursuant to the special education due process in all areas of Compliance and Account Management and including support regarding NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) billing and payment procedures.
- Correspond with parents and their representatives, including public advocacy groups and attorneys regarding the status of the implementation of awarded special education services to students.
- Respond to escalations from City officials, parents, and advocacy groups regarding the provision of NYCPS services and payments due pursuant to Impartial Hearing Orders.
- Collaborate with Implementation Unit Staff to ensure prompt resolution of community outreach regarding the implementation of awarded services.
- 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.
- 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.
- Liaise with other NYCPS financial offices to ensure payments are not duplicated across NYCPS offices.
- Assess and determine actions necessary to solve outstanding problems and implement the required remedies.
- Review and analyze documents in the Impartial Hearing System as necessary to ensure the accuracy of DAITS action items.
- Examine and analyze payment documents for services awarded pursuant to impartial hearing orders.
- Utilize computer systems for accounting purposes and maintain adequate records regarding implementing administrative decisions.
- Resolve accounting discrepancies and irregularities.
- Track deadlines and ensure that benchmarks are met.
- Assist in reviewing and interpreting Impartial Hearing Orders to determine actions necessary to implement required remedies.
- Assist in entering action item data into the Decision Action Item Tracking System (DAITS) daily on a high-volume basis.
- Assist in the assignment of cases for unpacking.
- Assist in the review and response to quarterly reports from Independent Auditor.
- Train IU and NYCPS staff, as well as external partners.
- Work closely with IU staff to ensure they are supported in all communications necessary to the administration of the above duties and responsibilities.
- Ensure that adequate and responsive procedures are in place.
- Contribute to the development of internal controls, systems, and operating procedures to ensure timely and proper authorization for impartial hearing ordered services.
- 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
- Ability to supervise and coordinate staff in a customer service call center environment.
- Analytical thinker with expertise in situational problem-solving skills; ability to prioritize and follow-up.
- Customer Service and Project Management experience is a plus.
- Ability to make effective telephone and email assessments and de-escalate verbal and written communications.
- Excellent interpersonal skills in working with education and non-education personnel internally and external to the NYCPS.
- Strong communications 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.
Salary: $82,000 - $86,500
(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.
* New York City Residency is NOT Required *
We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.