CERTIFICATION SPECIALIST

Orange County Public Schools•Orlando, FL

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Certification Specialist performs district-based duties related to certification of instructional and administrative personnel. The role researches, analyzes, verifies, retrieves, and enters database information; accesses confidential information; and interprets Florida statutes, regulations, and procedures. The specialist also serves as an informational resource for district instructional and administrative personnel and may perform other duties as directed. The position evaluates certification and course eligibility, handles instructional and vocational contract assignments, monitors certification requirements and out-of-field compliance, and advises employees and supervisors on certification matters. It communicates with schools and the Florida Department of Education, processes certification documents, maintains district certification files, and uses computer systems and department equipment to complete its work. The position requires a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field as highly desirable, together with at least five years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Florida Department of Education Partnership Training must be completed within six months of starting the position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field is highly desirable.
Minimum five years of previous experience and/or training that includes clerical, secretarial, or governmental relations work, or an equivalent combination of related education, training, and experience.
Satisfactory completion of Florida Department of Education Partnership Training within six months of the position's start date.
Ability to review, classify, prioritize, and analyze information and apply established standards.
Ability to provide guidance and interpretation on applying procedures and standards to specific situations.
Ability to operate and control equipment, machinery, tools, and materials that require complex and rapid adjustments.
Ability to use reference, descriptive, and advisory information; perform basic arithmetic and calculate decimals and percentages.
Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-form instructions and exercise independent judgment.
Ability to evaluate information and make sound judgments in situations involving subjective criteria.
Ability to exert light physical effort, including occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of objects weighing approximately 5–10 pounds, and to work for extended periods at a keyboard or workstation.
Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination, as well as oral communication ability.

Responsibilities

Respond to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous, and empathetic manner, representing OCPS positively.
Analyze academic transcripts to determine Florida certificate eligibility and eligibility for instructional employment.
Determine highly qualified status and ensure applicable compliance with No Child Left Behind legislation.
Assign initial employment contracts for newly hired full-time instructional employees based on certification status, out-of-field status, and vacancy reason.
Assign contracts and approve certification eligibility for instructional position changes and transfers.
Track instructional contract assignments and update changes as certification progresses.
Track non-faculty paid athletic coaches, monitor their status, and request issuance of athletic coaching certificates.
Determine certification eligibility and required course coverage using the Florida Course Code Directory.
Identify teachers lacking appropriate course coverage and monitor out-of-field teachers for compliance with Florida requirements.
Advise teachers about courses that satisfy out-of-field requirements and run SAP actions for School Board out-of-field approvals.
Identify teachers who require Professional Education Competence (PEC) and submit CT-118 forms to verify PEC completion.
Monitor and coach teachers on coursework, exams, PECs, and experience needed to advance from a temporary to a professional certificate.
Advise principals and work location supervisors when individuals fail to meet certification requirements, affecting the expectation of continued employment.
Submit CT-113 forms to verify teaching experience required for professional certification.
Submit CT-110 forms to request issuance of teachers' initial certificates.
Serve as liaison between the district and the Florida Department of Education on certification issues, including daily communication with Bureau of Certification representatives.
Review and process initial certification documents and follow-up documents needed to maintain certification continuity.
Notify certified teachers and administrators by October 1 of expiring certificates, as provided by the CTA Contract.
Coordinate with schools and work locations on certification issues and requirements and advise district staff about compliance issues.
Maintain district and vocational certification files.
Assign contracts for vocational instructors, monitor their certification requirements, and issue district certificates for vocational teachers.
Use computers and software to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, and operate equipment associated with department activities.
Keep current with job-appropriate OCPS technology, attend supported training as needed, and maintain timely and accurate information.
Post instructional and administrative certificates, out-of-field status, completed coursework, and related data in SAP.
Run reports used to generate letters.