About the Organization

DCP's success with first-generation college students is at the forefront of a national movement for college access and educational equity. The first charter high school in Silicon Valley, Downtown College Prep (DCP) was founded in San Jose in 2000 with the belief that all students, regardless of background and prior academic achievement, can and should be prepared for college success. Through our singular commitment to college success, we ensure our largely low-income Latino students and families are fully supported in the pursuit of a college degree.

DCP has graduated over 1000 alumni and currently serves 1800 students in grades 5-12 on four campuses and 500 college-aged alumni. In fall of 2018, 93% of the Class of 2018 matriculated to college. 53% of DCP grads have completed college or are on track to complete college in six years compared to 9% of low-income students nationwide. DCP is deeply committed to supporting, measuring and reporting college completion for our graduates, and serving as a replicable national model of college and career readiness for first-generation students.

Our vision is to ensure that more first-generation students have the vision, confidence, and academic skills to succeed in college and beyond, realizing their fullest potential and harnessing their power to become leaders in their field and community.

About the Opportunity:

The Education Specialist is responsible for ensuring the success of DCP students who have qualified for Special Education services. Additionally the Education Specialist must ensure that DCP is compliant with all state and federal regulations in regards to Special Education services. In order to achieve these goals, the Education Specialist must collaborate with appropriate staff and district personnel, including but not limited to: Special Education Director, Administration, DCP teachers, Central Office staff, School Psychologist, the Program Specialist, and other District/SELPA personnel. The Education Specialist must also be able to create relationships with students and their families so that they will feel comfortable working with them. The Education Specialist needs to ensure that all modifications and resources support students with special needs on their path to a 4-year University. The Education Specialist will work closely with the DCP teachers and monitor the progress of DCP's Special Education students. The Education Specialist will also be a resource to staff and families of Special Education students who are struggling.

Responsibilities:

Student and Family Support:

• Oversee the development and implementation of student Individual Education Plan (IEP) on assigned caseload.
• Meet with incoming students and their families to discuss and review IEPs, as necessary.
• Ensure IEP process and documentation are compliant with all state and federal regulations and timelines.
• Ensure that goals, accommodations/modifications and resources are aligned with DCP's curriculum and mission as well as the needs of the student.
• Monitor student progress and IEP implementation through observation, meeting with students, tracking data (e.g. grades, discipline, etc), collaborating with general education staff, etc., and provide follow-up support as necessary.
• Manage and facilitate all testing for students with special needs.
• Work closely with families to communicate student progress, both through informal communication, and formal, written reports of progress.
• Supervise a tutorial, intervention, or other support class for students with special needs as needed.
• Develop student self-advocacy skills as they transition to college.
• Collaborate with special education staff as appropriate (i.e. school psychologist, speech and language pathologist, occupational therapist, nurse, and counselor) to monitor and support student progress.

Staff Support:

• Work with staff to develop and implement classroom-based modifications/strategies to support students with special needs.
• Regularly communicate student's goals and modification/strategies with administration and teachers.
• Support child find processes, including participation in Student Study Team (SST) meetings as needed, including follow up with administration, teachers, and appropriate personnel to determine next steps.
• As assigned, lead Professional Development to support general education staff in meeting the needs of students with disabilities
• Document weekly service minutes with students with IEPs.
• Communicate as necessary with Special Education manager, Operations Staff, and SELPA staff regarding students who enter and exit DCP's Special Education Program.
• Complete any other reporting as mandated by school or SELPA.
• Ensure discipline protocols are followed appropriately for students with IEPs.
• Maintain current knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations regarding special education.
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously required to speak and listen for extended periods. The employee is also required to sit or stand for long periods, and to regularly to walk; use hands or fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is further required to have the physical, mental, and emotional stamina to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position, and the mental acuity to collect, evaluate, and interpret data; to reason; to define problems; to establish facts; to draw valid conclusions; and to make effective judgments and decisions.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics are representative of those in a normal office, building, classroom/school setting which one might encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Valid California teaching credential
• Experience working in urban middle/high school setting (preferred)
• Bilingual Preferred, but not required

FLSA: Exempt

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Also, this job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.