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. It also serves as an informational resource for district instructional and administrative personnel in certification matters. Other duties may be assigned as directed. The position evaluates certification and employment eligibility, processes certification documents, tracks certification and contract status, and advises employees and district personnel about applicable requirements. It serves as a liaison between the district, schools and work locations, and the Florida Department of Education. The role maintains certification records and uses computer systems and office equipment to perform department activities. The work includes sedentary-to-light physical effort, occasional handling of light objects, and potentially extended periods at a keyboard or workstation. The Orange County School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field is highly desirable.
At least 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 providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Complete Florida Department of Education Partnership Training within six months of the position’s start date.
Ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and analyze data and information, exercising discretion and referencing established standards.
Ability to provide guidance, assistance, and interpretation to others on applying procedures and standards to specific situations.
Ability to operate and control equipment, machinery, tools, and materials requiring complex and rapid adjustments.
Ability to use a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and advisory information.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, calculate decimals and percentages, and potentially use fractions or interpret graphs.
Ability to apply rational systems, interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions, and exercise independent judgment to adapt methods and standards to assigned objectives.
Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity when evaluating information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria.
Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary-to-light work, including occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects weighing approximately 5–10 pounds.
Ability to spend extended periods at a keyboard or workstation.
Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination; some require oral communication ability.

Responsibilities

Respond to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous, and empathetic manner, representing OCPS positively.
Analyze academic transcripts course by course to determine Florida certificate eligibility and employment eligibility for instructional positions under Florida State Board rules and statutes.
Determine highly qualified status and ensure compliance with No Child Left Behind legislation where applicable.
Assign initial employment contracts to newly hired full-time instructional employees based on certification eligibility or status, out-of-field status, and vacancy reason.
Assign contracts and approve certification eligibility for instructional position changes and transfers; track contract assignments and enter changes as certification progresses.
Track non-faculty paid athletic coaches, monitor their status, and request issuance of Athletic Coaching certificates.
Determine certification eligibility and appropriate course coverage using the Florida Course Code Directory; identify teachers lacking appropriate coverage and monitor out-of-field compliance.
Advise teachers on acceptable coursework for satisfying out-of-field requirements and run SAP actions for School Board agendas seeking approval of out-of-field assignments.
Identify teachers who qualify for Professional Education Competence (PEC) based on transcript degree programs and/or out-of-state certification.
Submit CT-118 forms as the Superintendent’s designated authorized signatory to verify completion of PEC requirements.
Monitor and coach teachers on required coursework, exams, PEC requirements, and experience for moving from a three-year temporary certificate to a five-year professional certificate.
Advise principals and work-location supervisors when individuals fail to meet certification requirements that affect expectations for continued employment.
Submit CT-113 forms as the Superintendent’s designated authorized signatory to verify teaching experience for professional certificate requirements listed on an individual’s Official Statement of Status of Eligibility.
Submit CT-110 forms as the Superintendent’s designated authorized signatory to request issuance of an initial teacher certificate.
Liaise between the district and the Florida Department of Education on certification issues and communicate daily with its Bureau of Certification representatives about teaching certificates.
Review and process initial certification documents and follow-up documents needed to maintain certification continuity.
Notify certified teachers and administrators on October 1 of expiring certificates, as required by CTA Contract, Article VIII, K.
Liaise with schools and work locations on certification matters and advise district staff of certification 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 to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data and use word-processing, database, and other software programs.
Operate department equipment and tools, which may include a typewriter, copy machine, or fax machine.
Keep current with OCPS technology appropriate to the job and attend district-supported training to maintain the required technology skill level.
Maintain timely and accurate information as part of job responsibilities.
Post instructional and administrative certificates, out-of-field status, completed coursework, and related data in SAP.
Run reports used to generate letters.