Ombudsperson and Continuous Improvement Manager II, Special Education (0992)

Job Class: 0992 Manager II

Salary Range: $132,527.44-$180,933.51 /annually

Appointment Type: Permanent Exempt (PEX)

Calendar: Full Time / Full Year

Who We Are

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is the seventh largest school district in California, serving more than 50,000 students who speak more than 44 documented languages across 121 schools in the city of San Francisco every year. We aim for every student who attends SFUSD schools to discover his or her spark, along with a strong sense of self and purpose, and that all students graduate from high school ready for college and career, and equipped with the skills, capacities and dispositions outlined in SFUSD’s Graduate Profile. Every day in our quest to achieve this mission we provide each and every student the quality instruction and equitable support required to thrive in the 21st century.

What It Means to Work Here

The SFUSD community is unified by our Core Values:

Student-centered: We put students’ needs first
Fearless: We persist through challenges
United: We celebrate and build on each other’s strengths
Social Justice: We stand with those most vulnerable in our community
Diversity-driven: We respect and seek to understand each person

We are also inspired by Vision, Values and Guardrails which captures our aspirations and vision for the future of public education in San Francisco. Alongside the District’s strategic plan. SFUSD is reimagining how public education will change over the next decade to meet the dynamic future of San Francisco. As a CORE district, SFUSD is also a leader in critical systems change for more comprehensive school accountability and innovations that help strengthen the instructional core, which is the foundation of our strategic plan and goals.

Who We Want

We want talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences who are inspired by our mission, grounded in equity, and motivated to unleash our children’s potential. We seek strong collaborators, skilled communicators, and problem solvers who are comfortable working in a community of continuous learning

Under the direction of the Head of Special Education, the Ombudsperson/Continuous Improvement Monitoring (CIM) Manager serves as a neutral and confidential resource for staff, students, families, and administrators, supporting the informal resolution of concerns and disputes through consultation, facilitation, mediation, and collaborative problem-solving. The position serves as a liaison to families of students with disabilities receiving Special Education services, manages the District’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, and analyzes complaint and dispute data to identify trends, systemic issues, and opportunities to improve District policies, practices, and outcomes. The role also coordinates and manages all components of the Continuous Improvement Monitoring Plan for Significant Disproportionality, facilitating cross-departmental planning, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement efforts.

In addition, the position develops internal and community partnerships, leads assigned compliance- and grant-related projects, and advances practices that promote equity, inclusion, and systemic improvement.

Essential Duties

The duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to the job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive or exhaustive list.

Leadership & Equity

Partner with divisional teams (Student Services, Special Education, LEAD, Curriculum & Instruction, African American Achievement & Leadership Initiative (AAALI)) to integrate both sides of the academic and behavioral MTSS triangle in developing professional development and coaching to improve outcomes for students and to improve instructional practices and student achievement.
Convene Educational Partner meetings at least quarterly to reflect on progress reports.
Facilitate and coordinate family engagement activities in partnership with Family Engagement groups and advisories (e.g., Communities in Schools, AAPAC) to increase parent engagement for targeted students.
Develop a communication plan to generate updates for the community through newsletters and the CCEIS website.

CIM Accountability

Facilitate Continuous Improvement Monitoring for Significant Disproportionality (CCEIS) plan development, implementation, and reporting requirements.
Responsible for all steps and procedures outlined in the CIM for SIg Disp Guidance documents for multiple plan years.
Ensure CCEIS Plan activities are implemented with documentation for quarterly progress reports.
Attend all CDE/SPP-TAP meetings to ensure procedural compliance.
Liaise with Special Education leadership, Educational Services Associate Superintendent, and CCEIS/CDE technical assistance facilitator to ensure accountability.
Maintain communication with CDE Continuous Improvement Monitoring (CIM) for Significant Disproportionality Focused Monitoring Technical Assistance (FMTA) consultant.
Complete CIM for Sig Disp quarterly CIM for Sig Disp Progress reports in collaboration with the Significant Disproportionality technical facilitator team to prepare the Quarterly Progress reports.

Ombuds Responsibilities

Serve as a neutral SFUSD resource to resolve concerns and conflicts through restorative justice and alternative dispute resolution practices, considering the rights and interests of all parties and promoting fair and equitable solutions.
Manage the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, including contracts, grant-related requirements, reporting, and coordination with internal and external partners.
Serve as a member of Special Education Central Leadership, collaborating across teams to identify systemic strengths, concerns, and opportunities affecting students with disabilities, students receiving SST support, and other students with learning needs, and partnering with District leadership to address systemic issues and improve practices.
Provide guidance to staff and families regarding District policies, student rights and needs, and available educational, community, and social service resources; maintain a parent helpline and timely communication with community organizations and service agencies.
Promote family engagement and self-advocacy by connecting families with community resources, support groups, school activities, and other services, and provide information and support related to Educational Representatives (surrogate parents), including recruitment and coordination with court and District offices.
Serve as liaison to the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Chair and Board, supporting meeting planning, facilitation, speakers, agendas, materials, and reporting to the Board of Education.
Develop and maintain accessible, parent-friendly communications and resources, including legal rights notices and quarterly updates to the SFUSD parent resources webpage, ensuring information is clear, readable, and responsive to family needs.
Maintain appropriate documentation and records of parent contacts, meetings, participation, and Ombudsperson activities; prepare written and oral reports and provide relevant information

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Federal, State, and Local Special Education programs, laws, and regulations including, but not limited to, the requirements of IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA as they pertain to the duties of school districts toward children with disabilities and their parents.

The strongest candidates will have:

Knowledge of restorative justice practices and the CDE’s Continuous Improvement Monitoring process.
Special Education: Understanding of SFUSD mandates serving students in the least restrictive environment and inclusive practices.
Multiple methods for meeting student needs appropriately and effectively. Disabilities and the criteria for eligibility for services and levels of service.
Relevant public and private community agencies and informational resources are available to special needs students and their families.
Systems Thinking: Understanding of how to address root causes to improve student outcomes, particularly regarding the disproportionality of African American students eligible under the category of Emotional Disturbance (ED).
Communication: Ability to exercise patience, diplomacy, and tact while maintaining "parent-friendly" communication.
Facilitation: Proficiency in facilitating meetings, coordinating training, and motivating parent participation in school programs.
Technical Skills: Ability to use technology for data collection, statistical reporting, and managing public information programs.
Fundamentals of writing and composition, simple record-keeping techniques, and appropriate oral and written communication.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or university in special education, child development, counseling, social work, or a related discipline.
Three (3) years of successful site or central office leadership experience, and experience leading and supervising teams
Experience designing/facilitating professional development opportunities

Desired Qualifications

Master’s Degree in a related field.
Deep understanding of family dynamics and the principles of learning for children with disabilities.
Experience with educational issues as they relate to accelerating the learning of linguistics, ethnic, and cultural minority student populations; Technologically literate;
Demonstrated ability to work in collaborative teams that include parents/families and professionals
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License

What We Offer

SFUSD offers a competitive salary of $132,527.44-$180,933.51/annually commensurate with experience in a similar position. We offer a comprehensive benefits plan including dental and vision plans, a defined benefit pension plan, disability, life insurance, flexible spending account options and vacation time. We also offer an inclusive and equity-centered environment where we encourage staff to bring their whole selves to work.

How to Apply

Visit https://jobs.sfusd.edu/ and create a new account to begin your application.
You will be prompted to electronically attach a letter of interest, resume, list of professional references and any applicable credentials or licenses
Our Human Resources team will then review your entire application to determine your eligibility status and contact you directly should you move forward in the process
Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from SFUSD and CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept SFUSD and CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfusd.edu, @sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Verification

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at http://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification from this and future job opportunities with the San Francisco Unified School District.

Nondiscrimination Statement and Grievance Procedures:

San Francisco Unified School District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, sexual harassment and bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy or lactation, including medical conditions or recovery, parental, marital, and family status, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, or genetic information, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or any other basis protected by law or regulation, in its educational program(s) or employment.

Any person may report discrimination, including sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of a physical or mental disability (whether or not the reporting person is alleged to be the victim of the discriminatory conduct) in person, by mail, by telephone, or by email, using the contact information for the District's Title IX Coordinator.

District Title IX Coordinator:

Eva Kellogg

Office of Equity

555 Franklin Street, 3rd Floor

San Francisco, CA, 94102

415-355-7334 or equity@sfusd.edu

For more information and the District's nondiscrimination policy, please review Board Policy 4030. For more information about the District's Sexual Harassment policy, please review Board Policy 4034.