The mission of LEAD is to enable students ages 16-21 in grades 9-12 in Newark, NJ to master the essential skills crucial for success in postsecondary education, career, and community leadership within a global society. As an innovation of Newark Opportunity Youth Network (NOYN), LEAD implements a hybrid school model that takes the best research on teaching and learning with opportunity youth and combines it with the best research on youth workforce development from the YouthBuild model. Our innovative approach re-engages young people by active participation in rigorous and relevant content, and standards-driven, competency-based instruction aligned with emerging market demands.

To learn more about LEAD, please visit: http://leadcharterschool.org/ 

To lead implementation of the OYN school model in Special Education and support implementation across the school, raising student achievement in preparation for success in postsecondary education, career, and community leadership. To serve as a member of the Child Study Team, assess the needs of children and support the school’s instructional program by assisting students in their personal, social & educational growth.

REPORTS TO: Director of Student Support

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Case Manager

1. As Child Study Team Case Manager, leads the coordinating, developing, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the Individual Education Program of designated students.
2. Coordinates all special services required for designated students, including internal services, external providers, and home instruction.
3. Prepares or supervises the preparation of all reports, records, and other paperwork required or appropriate to administration of special services.
4. Ensures the safekeeping of student and personnel files and other confidential records and documents; and the destruction of public records in accordance with law and regulations.

 Child Study Team

1. Serves as a member of the basic Child Study Team, complying with state and federal statutes; participates in the evaluation, identification, classification and placement of all pupils requiring Special Education.
2. Performs a social assessment of students referred to the Child Study Team for evaluation, including observation of the student, and an evaluation of family, school and community factors which contribute to the student’s social and academic adjustment within the educational setting. Assessment of a student will be in terms of a personal and family history, and socioeconomic, and cultural factors.
3. Reports social work findings at regularly scheduled Child Study Team meetings.
4. Actively participates in the deliberations of the Child Study Team and jointly identifies educationally disabled students and assists in planning the IEP when appropriate.
5. Maintains confidential records on all referred students and student/parent contacts in accordance with federal and state law, Board policy and the procedures.
6. Provides thorough and timely reports, data, information, etc. as requested by administration.

 Casework

1. Provides casework services to families in helping them to work toward solutions for school related problems.
2. Counsels parents and students in order to help them achieve a desirable social and school adjustment and coordinates counseling activities with other appropriate school personnel.
3. Refers parents and students to relevant community services or agencies when problems are of such a nature that the school cannot offer appropriate help.
4. Provision of individual or group counseling to students as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Holds valid New Jersey Educational Services Certificate and School Social Worker Endorsement.
2. Demonstrated success in supporting underserved populations, especially in special education.
3. Deep knowledge of special education interventions, procedure and compliance.
4. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, families, staff and community
5. Successful in creating collaborative relationships or coalitions.
6. Commitment to OYN school model and implementation with fidelity.
7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including use of office productivity software.
8. Robust analytical skills, with an ability to use data to drive student achievement.
9. Capacity to personalize student support through differentiation, including use of technology.
10. Required criminal history background check, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident status & NJ residency.

BENEFITS

• 10 PTO holidays & school breaks
• Health/Vision/Dental Benefits
• Laptop for all staff members
• Enrollment in state teacher pension program 
• Year round Professional Development
• Mentoring Program for new teachers 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Ten-month employee. Salary to be recommended by the Head of School and approved by board. 

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with state law and the provisions of the Board’s Policy on Evaluation of Professional Staff.