Senior Manager, Special Services

DPS•Denver, CO

About The Position

The Senior Manager for Extended School Support is a leading member of the Special Education and Special Services administrative and decision-making team. The role analyzes operational and strategic needs related to special education and leads services that include Out of District Services, Extended School Year (ESY), Jail Service, Specialized Homebound Services, and collaborative oversight of the district separate school program. The Senior Manager works with district departments and schools, the Colorado Department of Human Services, and, as appropriate, the Colorado Department of Education. The position oversees the Extended School Supports team and supports compliance with state and federal mandates, implementation of IDEA, student transitions back to the district, educational progress and IEP processes, professional development, and resolution of issues between families and schools or facilities. The role also contributes to departmental strategy, operational planning, policy development, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Special Education.
At least five years of experience cooperatively working with culturally diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, disability, and socioeconomic students, families, and communities.
At least two years of prior supervisory or managerial experience.
Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in the community.
Believe in and support all students so they feel seen and heard and have access to high-quality education.
Maintain a permanent home address in Colorado while working for DPS.
Ability, with or without accommodations, to meet the physical demands of the position.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with district departments and schools, the Colorado Department of Human Services, and, as appropriate, the Colorado Department of Education.
Coordinate transition strategies for students returning to the district.
Communicate expectations, requirements, and directives consistently to district facilities, Denver Human Services, other school districts, and outside stakeholders.
Ensure compliance with state and federal mandates concerning services and educational opportunities for children and families relying on Student Equity and Opportunity.
Lead, supervise, evaluate, monitor, and support the Extended School Supports team responsible for Out of District Services, ESY, Specialized Homebound programming, Jail services, the district separate school program, and other assigned work.
Support development and publication of district resources, website pages, materials, and reports concerning IDEA implementation oversight for out-of-district facilities, jail services, ESY, and specialized homebound services.
Monitor educational progress and IEPs, and attend IEP meetings for district students with special education needs attending out-of-district facilities.
Analyze district-level special education data, including IEP compliance metrics, assessment outcomes, complaint trends, due process, and school support patterns, and identify systemic improvement needs.
Execute functional or departmental plans, contribute to strategy development, and advise others on strategy beyond the role's function or department.
Recommend innovation and improvements to policies and practices; establish long-term operational goals and make decisions affecting results.
Manage teams to influence and implement policies, procedures, programs, and initiatives for the functional unit.
Set goals, organize work plans, allocate work, and develop operational plans for resources, budgets, schedules, and performance.
Oversee development of professional development curricula focused on effective instructional practices, data-driven decisions, academic growth for students with disabilities, and compliance with IDEA timelines and processes.
Advise central departments, school leaders, and special education teams on FAPE, LRE, parental participation, procedural safeguards, and IEP development.
Mediate resolutions between families and schools or facilities concerning IEP implementation.
Maintain relationships with out-of-district facilities, refer students, attend IEP meetings as appropriate to discuss LRE3+, and work with families regarding facility enrollment.
Stay current on relevant laws, regulations, and policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.