Education Program Specialist - Dispute Resolution

On behalf of the Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state regulations through the formal complaint process:

• Investigates IDEA formal complaints within the 60 day federal timeline;
• Ensures formal complaint process is followed;
• Provides technical assistance to parties regarding the process, develops various complain letters;
• Develops interview questions;
• Conducts onsite visits (as applicable);
• Develops final report (e.g., letter of finding, withdrawal) which outlines compliance and non-compliance with IDEA;
• Develops a corrective action plan if there is noncompliance.
• Provides technical assistance to district administrators, advocates, attorneys, parents and organizations regarding the dispute resolution process and IDEA;
• Responds to inquiries regarding the dispute resolution processes and IDEA;
• Makes presentations to State agencies, committees, parents, school districts and other groups on a variety of special education topics.

Performs other duties as assigned:

• Participates and organizes statewide meetings for administrators, teachers and parents of children with disabilities.
• Conducts workshops and makes presentations.

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.

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:

• Legal and/or analytical writing.
• 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).
• Analysis of documents and records, and in conducting investigatory interviews (e.g., phone, in-person).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with conducting investigations and writing investigatory reports.
• A working knowledge of 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, curriculum (core academic content), assessment, education technology, cross-cultural studies, gifted, educational guidance/counseling) or related services (i.e., school psychology, educational psychology, speech-language pathology, audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy); Social Work; Public Policy; Public Administration; Juris Doctorate; Communication; Journalism; Dispute Resolution; Social Sciences; Criminal Justice.

Job Skills: Educational support



Job Skills: Educational support

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check as well as other investigative reviews. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position, unless restricted under state or federal law or federal restrictions. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

The final applicant for this position will be required to submit urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to an appointment. The State will decline to extend a final offer of employment to any applicant with a verified positive test result. Also, an applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that values diversity and seeks talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class. Questions or concerns about this should be directed to the Office of Human Resources ([email protected]).

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.