Education Program Specialist - Dispute Resolution

Education Program Specialist - Dispute Resolution

Organization:
Education and Workforce Agency Contact Name and Information:
Morgan Webb (Morgan.Webbo.gov)

Work Location:

25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Primary

Location:

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus Compensation:
Starting at $34.28

Schedule:

Full-time

Work Hours:

8:00 am to 5:00 pm Classified Indicator:
Unclassified Union: OCSEA

Agency Overview:
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is a diverse team of passionate, education-focused professionals responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education for each of Ohio's 1.7 million students. The Department provides the resources and supports essential to raising student achievement and accelerating learning opportunities, advancing the connectivity between K-12 and postsecondary learning, creating programs to support and expand workforce experiences, and ensuring students have the necessary supports to be ready each day to learn.

As the governing body responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education within the State of Ohio, the Department of Education and Workforce is dedicated to promoting educational excellence and ensuring equal access to learning opportunities for all students. The Department is committed to collaborating with schools, districts, educators, students, families, businesses, nonprofits and all stakeholders to achieve our educational goals.

On behalf of the Office of Chief Legal Counsel, Dispute Resolution Section ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state regulations through a program that offers mediation and facilitation options to parties at dispute regarding special education. This position would perform the following duties:
Acts as the coordinator of the special education mediation and facilitation program. Provides technical assistance to the public and parties to a dispute regarding mediation and facilitation processes and special education. Communicates and collaborates with impartial hearing officers, complaint investigators, educational agencies, families, and mediators to support the effective implementation of the mediation and facilitation program. Trains contracted mediators on special education, mediation, and facilitation.

Documents and manages the mediation/facilitation process from intake to closure. Collects and analyzes data on special education disputes and mediation and facilitation. Collaborates with internal staff on ensuring fiscal and procurement procedures are accurately implemented for contracted mediators. Supports the State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children. Participates and organizes statewide meetings for administrators, teachers and parents of children with disabilities.

Collaborates with complaint investigators and attorneys on state complaint investigations and reviews complaint documents. Conducts workshops and makes presentations. Performs other duties as assigned. The work location of this position is 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. You will be required to report to this work location, if selected. If this position is filled with an internal employee who has an approved telework agreement, the employee may be required to report in-person during the initial training period.

Why Work for the State of Ohio:
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
Medical Coverage Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more) Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
* Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Minimum Qualifications:

6 years of experience in any combination of the following:
Direct or administrative experience with alternative dispute resolution options (e.g., mediation and facilitation). Direct or administrative experience dealing with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) related rules, policies, and procedures (e.g., writing and implementing special education procedures and required documents).

Preferred Qualifications:

A working knowledge of Special Education and specifically the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Completion of a Master's degree in one of the following areas:
Education (i.e., special education, educational administration/leadership,…