Position Title: Special Education Case Manager
Location: CICS Prairie- 11530 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60628
Reports To: Diverse Learner Compliance Manager
Salary: Starting at $75,000, commensurate with experience
Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: August 2026
Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.
Overview:
Special Education Case Manager will exemplify content knowledge to collaborate with classroom teachers in planning units that integrate learning and are aligned with the Core academic standards. The Case Manager will work closely with the school team to supervise students according to their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). By implementing this plan, staff will help the students develop their full potential, while systematically increasing their socially appropriate behavior.
Responsibilities
Case Management: Development and Compliance
- Serve as the local school district representative at all required meetings under IDEA and serving as the 504 Coordinator for all meetings under Section 504
- Fulfill all the Roles & Responsibilities delineated in the ODLSS Procedural Manual for the local school district representative
- Confirm all IDEA and Section 504 timelines are met
- Ensure that all family notices and consents for Full and Individual Evaluations and placements are processed and provided in the native language where feasible and placed in the student temporary files
- Send families copy of draft IEP materials and if applicable paraprofessional, ESY, and Learning Environment Intervention forms, along with copies of all other conducted evaluations and any other collected data at least five school days prior to the meeting
- Arrange a certified interpreter to all IEP and 504 conferences (including initial and reevaluation eligibility determination meetings, and annual reviews) for families who are limited English proficient
- Coordinate all referrals for a Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) to ensure that all required components are addressed and that the process is completed within 60 school days after receiving signed parental consent, including but not limited to, referrals for Assistive Technology/Alternative-Augmentative Communication evaluations or functional behavioral assessments (FBAs)
- Assure that IEP teams are utilizing qualitative and quantitative data when making service decisions in the development of an IEP
- Finalize each student’s IEP or 504 Plan in the SSM at the meeting and providing the student’s families with a copy
- Support the MTSS process
- Conduct observations and provide coaching for Special Education Teachers and Paraprofessionals
Partnerships
- Assist the school’s scheduler/programmer with programming all students with disabilities in accordance with their IEPs
- In collaboration with the Instructional Leadership Team, schedule paraprofessionals in accordance with students’ IEPs and 504 Plans
- With the Instructional Leadership Team, schedule Special Education Teachers and Diverse Learners in accordance with students’ IEPs
- Oversee the implementation of all IEPs and 504 Plans for each student with disabilities in the school
- Train and support school staff regarding the implementation of the IDEA and Section 504 requirements
- Ensure that all relevant student data is entered into SSM in a timely manner
- Arrange special education and related services for a student within the school in accordance with the students IEP and contacting ODLSS to arrange assignment in another school if necessary to implement the IEP
- Consult with the Director of Student Services & ODLSS District Representative regarding students who require low-incidence services or regarding problems that develop in the implementation of procedures
Stakeholder Relations
- Attend all ODLSS professional development and meetings targeted at supporting the case manager/local school district representative
- Convein and chair IEP and 504 conferences (including initial and reevaluation eligibility determination meetings, and annual reviews) and acting as the District Representative
Requirements (minimum)
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Special Education OR Master’s degree in Educational Administration
Qualifications:
- Professional Educator License (PEL) in one of the following areas:
- Special Education (PK-Age 21) endorsement
- School Support Personnel endorsement with a supervisory endorsementExpertise in special education curriculum and service provision
- Knowledge of general education curriculum
- Demonstrated understanding of the individual needs of students with disabilities from a variety of language and cultural backgrounds
- Strong knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations regarding the delivery of special education and related services
- Knowledge of intervention and assessment strategies for disabled and non-disabled students
- Knowledge of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS or RTI)
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, staff, students, parents, governmental and community agencies, and employers
- Demonstrated expertise in customer service, consensus building, and use of problem solving skills and strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
- Travel to various campuses as needed
Physical Demands:
Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 60% sitting, 20% walking, and 20% standing.
Benefits
- 25+ paid holidays, upfront sick leave, and an accrual-based personal time bank
- 12 weeks family paid leave
- Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
- 403b match
- Fully match up to 3%
- 50% match up to 5%
- Professional development including tuition reimbursement
- Gym and wellness discounts
- And More
Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.
EEO:
Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.
Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@distinctiveschools.org or call 773.828.4191
