Find & Apply For Compliance Manager Jobs in Laurelton, New York

Reports To:

Principal Status:

Full-Time Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 7:45-4:00 pm

FLSA Status:

Exempt Join our Team!! We are seeking a dedicated Director of Special Services & Compliance to provide strategic leadership over Merrick Academy's Special Education, Academic Intervention Services (AIS), Related Services, Clinical Services, and student support programs across grades K-8. You will work closely with students, teachers, and families to ensure every scholar receives the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and related services needed to succeed. About Merrick Academy Founded in 2000, Merrick Academy is one of New York City's first charter schools and the first charter school established in Queens. With deep roots in the Southeast Queens community, Merrick Academy serves students in grades K-8 and is committed to providing an inclusive, rigorous, and innovative educational experience. Through high-quality instruction, strong student supports, and meaningful partnerships with families and the community, Merrick Academy works to ensure that every student is prepared to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Position Summary Under the direction of the Principal, the Director of Special Services & Compliance is responsible for providing strategic leadership, oversight, and management of Merrick Academy's Special Education, Academic Intervention Services (AIS), Related Services, Clinical Services, and student support programs. The Director ensures that all special education programs and services are implemented with fidelity and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while promoting equitable access to high-quality instruction and intervention for all students. The Director oversees the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all special education programs, compliance systems, intervention services, and student support initiatives, and serves as a resource to school personnel and families. This position works collaboratively with instructional leaders, teachers, families, and outside agencies to ensure every scholar receives the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and related services needed to be successful while maintaining adequate staffing to achieve program objectives within budget. The Director also provides leadership for schoolwide compliance, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), attendance improvement efforts, behavioral supports, and data-driven intervention systems, ensuring that all student services align with Merrick Academy's mission, instructional priorities, and commitment to educating the whole child. To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate is a creative problem solver who builds relationships to reach goals; a coachable leader with a desire to grow as a professional; and a manager with exceptional communication, organization, and critical-thinking skills, along with excellent listening and observational skills and an empathetic mindset. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Special Education Leadership & Compliance Oversee and manage all Special Education programming, including inclusive, self-contained, resource, pull-out, and related service models, and a caseload of special education students. Ensure compliance with IDEA, Section 504, ESSA, New York State Education Department regulations, and Charter School accountability requirements. Oversee all IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, annual reviews, reevaluations, and progress reports, ensuring they are developmentally appropriate, standards-based, strength-based, and relevant to individual students. Ensure services are delivered in accordance with students' IEPs/504 plans and within the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), including services provided by contractual/DOE-related service personnel. Facilitate and oversee IEP meetings using a strengths-based and family-centered approach. Monitor timelines for evaluations, referrals, annual reviews, and compliance documentation; conduct internal audits of student files (paper and electronic) per school and NYS standards. Oversee special education billing processes and reporting systems. Analyze, summarize, and make accessible and constructive for teachers and families information regarding neuropsychological/psychoeducational and psychological evaluations, IEPs, and 504 Plans, in consultation with the Social Worker and Guidance Counselor, to ensure each student's social-emotional and academic needs are communicated and supported appropriately. Work alongside Academic Leadership to update students' Special Education Individual Learning Plans for Tier 2 and Tier 3 students. Prepare documentation and reports required by NYSED, authorizers, and state/federal agencies; represent the school in dealings with outside agencies and organizations concerned with special education. Ensure testing accommodations are implemented for all school-based assessments — including teacher-created tests, interim assessments (e.g., ANet), Regents, and state exams — and on all timed formative or summative assignments. Maintain confidentiality of all student records and information. Leadership & Staff Supervision Provide direct supervision, coaching, evaluation, and professional development for: Learning Specialists Academic Intervention Services (AIS) Team Clinical Supervisor School Social Worker Speech and Related Service Providers Paraprofessionals (in-house and agency) Contracted Service Providers Responsibilities include: Conduct regular observations and coaching cycles. Monitor caseloads and staffing assignments. Lead department meetings. Develop annual department goals. Complete performance evaluations. Support recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention of staff. Academic Intervention & Student Support Oversee the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and all Academic Intervention Services (AIS). Develop intervention systems for Tier II and Tier III students. Collaborate with instructional leaders to identify students needing additional support and to strengthen Tier I instruction. Monitor intervention effectiveness through student achievement data; coordinate intervention schedules and staffing. Student Attendance Lead schoolwide attendance improvement initiatives and monitor daily attendance trends. Identify chronically absent and at-risk students; coordinate attendance intervention meetings and develop attendance action plans. Partner with families to improve student attendance; prepare monthly attendance reports for leadership. Student Discipline & Behavioral Supports Collaborate with school leadership to ensure discipline practices comply with federal and state regulations. Review disciplinary actions involving students with disabilities; facilitate Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs) when required. Oversee Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs); monitor behavior data and recommend interventions. Train staff in restorative practices and positive behavior supports. Clinical & Social-Emotional Services Supervise the Clinical Supervisor, School Social Worker, and Guidance Counselor; coordinate counseling and mental health services. Develop crisis response procedures and partner with outside agencies and service providers, including students' outside providers, pediatricians, and therapists as needed. Support students' social-emotional well-being through preventative and responsive services. Family Engagement Serve as the primary liaison for families navigating special education, intervention, and student support services. Effectively communicate the special education process to families — including referrals, evaluations, annual IEPs/504 plans, re-evaluations, and parental rights granted by IDEA. Facilitate parent workshops and identify resources related to special education, IEPs, student supports, attendance, behavior, and community resources. Assist families with testing accommodations and transition planning, including for middle school and other programming. Instructional Support Provide professional learning for teachers on differentiated instruction, inclusive practices, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accommodations/modifications, progress monitoring, and data-driven instruction. Train staff on the school's internal special education data platform and on special education law and compliance requirements. Provide feedback to teachers on special education models and practices; facilitate faculty learning to differentiate instruction, integrate metacognitive strategies, teach toward mastery, and use student-centered methodologies across all subject areas and grade levels. Provide training and technical assistance to teachers, related service providers, and support staff on case management — including data systems, goal writing, progress reports, annual reviews, and parent communication. Support grade-level teams with intervention planning. Data, Compliance & Accountability Maintain schoolwide dashboards for Special Education, Compliance, Attendance, Discipline, MTSS, and Related Services. Maintain Merrick's school tracking and data system, including IEP/service information, service hours, evaluations, referrals, timelines, and discipline incidents. Analyze data trends and present monthly reports to leadership; monitor service logs and provider documentation. Prepare compliance reports for audits, authorizers, and all reporting requirements concerning students with IEPs/504 plans (e.g., State reporting, census, grant applications, annual report). Maintain a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in law and case law, and best practices in educating students with disabilities. School Leadership & General Duties Support the philosophy and vision of special services at Merrick Academy K-8. Develop and write policies and procedures related to student services and compliance, ensuring program consistency and compliance with state and federal rules. Support schoolwide initiatives related to equity, inclusion, and whole-child development; collaborate with academic leaders to improve outcomes for students with disabilities and struggling learners. Chair or participate in staffing meetings that may result in IEP recommendations requiring additional financial commitments or that may carry legal implications. Approve special education requests for supplies, materials, and equipment; track and maintain inventory of curricular and program-based equipment/materials. Identify and develop appropriate curriculum and school-based assessments to support the academic growth of students with IEPs/504 plans. Plan special education initiatives and integrate new developments, research findings, and best practices into ongoing programs and new initiatives. Assist in the preparation and review of reports generated for state funding of Special Education programs. Deliverables Schoolwide Special Education Handbook (including teaching models/approach) Annual Compliance Calendar Monthly Compliance, Attendance, Discipline, and MTSS Dashboards Monthly SPED Performance Reports Related Services Compliance Reports Annual Special Services Improvement Plan, with annual improvement targets and a plan of action Professional Development Plan for Student Support Staff Department Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Updated special education policies and systems across all applicable handbooks/memos Facilitated team meetings and records Evidence portfolio documenting program effectiveness, compliance, and student outcomes (e.g., parallel teaching rubrics) Annual Performance Reviews for Learning Specialists, AIS Staff, Clinical Supervisor, Social Worker, Related Service Providers, and Paraprofessionals Qualifications Valid New York State certification in Special Education required. Master's degree preferred. Background in Special Education or ELL, with relevant experience leading teams and administrative work. Background in education or relevant experience preferred; K-8 background preferred. Experience facilitating and leading teams, including cross-functional or multidisciplinary teams (e.g., clinical, AIS, related services). Working knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, ESSA, and NYSED compliance systems, or demonstrated ability to acquire this knowledge quickly. Experience with MTSS, attendance, and/or behavioral data systems a plus. Strong analytical and computer skills; ability to present data in multiple formats (charts, reports, comparisons, trend analysis, etc.). Strong knowledge and experience with student assessment, intervention, instruction, and curriculum. Eagerness to collaborate with peers and strong teamwork skills. Growth mindset and an ability to use feedback to improve practice. Commitment and passion for teaching students from underserved communities and closing the achievement gap. Americans with Disability Specifications Physical Demands The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment Work environment characteristics described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

I acknowledge that:

I have read and understand the responsibilities and qualifications required to perform this job successfully. This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by an individual in this position. This description implies that these are the only duties to be performed, and it is not an exhaustive list of all knowledge, skills, or abilities required. There may be additional duties as assigned. The employee must follow any job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by anyone authorized to give instructions or assignments. This description excludes the marginal functions incident to the performance of this job's fundamental duties. All essential job duties and responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. An Equal Opportunity Employer It is the policy of Merrick Academy to provide educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, alienage and citizen status, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as provided by law), sexual orientation, gender (sex), or any other protected class, and to maintain an environment free of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment, or retaliation as required by civil rights law.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$120,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Referral program Relocation assistance Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Ability to

Relocate:

Laurelton, NY 11413: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person