Director of Special Education Dispute Resolution

DHRM • Richmond, VA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is recruiting for a Director Special Education of Dispute Resolution to supervise the Office of Special Education Dispute Resolution and provide highly complex, professional, technical, and analytical services to ensure an effective compliance system with complaints, mediation and due process actions, and assurances related to compliance with federal and state law and regulations. The Director of Special Education Dispute Resolution will be expected to perform the following duties:
Provide management, oversight and supervision of staff in the Office of Special Education Dispute Resolution.
Manages the performance evaluation process.
Oversee the implementation of office protocols related to processing case correspondences for the systems, maintaining case files and tracking systems and provide specialized training on aspects of dispute resolution, and matters related to special education regulations.
Review and approve matters and work products related to the implementation of special education dispute system, regulation revision process, development and posting of guidance, technical assistance and professional development and dissemination of information related to IDEA and the state special education regulations.
Approve reimbursements associated with due process hearings, mediations, facilitations and complaint appeal reviews, and administrative services.
Approve budget planning and expenditures in accordance with department/state procedures.
Provide extensive technical assistance in responding to calls, electronic and written correspondences from a variety of stakeholders (hearing officers, parents, special education administrators, and consumers) and at the direction of the Deputy Superintendent regarding special education regulatory matters.
Lead full‑cycle data analysis and reporting on special education disputes, including complaints, mediations, and due process hearings, to identify trends, root causes, compliance risks, and areas for improvement across local education agencies statewide.
Translate complex data findings into actionable insights that inform statewide strategic planning, policy development, and prioritization of resources to support improved outcomes for students with disabilities.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal/state laws/regulations in special education and dispute resolution systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of resource allocation, budgets, research methods and project management diverse internal and external teams
• Demonstrated knowledge of local school divisions, state and local government policies and procedures and state agency functions.
• Proven ability to supervise teams and effectively resolve workplace leadership challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to define problems and apply problem solving techniques and legal and regulatory principles to complex educational issues.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
• An advanced degree in administration, law, special education or other related fields is preferred.
• Extensive experience in managing systems relative to complaints, mediation or administrative proceedings; case management; and developing educational programs or services for local school divisions.
• Experience in analytical and research areas.

Responsibilities

• Provide management, oversight and supervision of staff in the Office of Special Education Dispute Resolution.
• Manages the performance evaluation process.
• Oversee the implementation of office protocols related to processing case correspondences for the systems, maintaining case files and tracking systems and provide specialized training on aspects of dispute resolution, and matters related to special education regulations.
• Review and approve matters and work products related to the implementation of special education dispute system, regulation revision process, development and posting of guidance, technical assistance and professional development and dissemination of information related to IDEA and the state special education regulations.
• Approve reimbursements associated with due process hearings, mediations, facilitations and complaint appeal reviews, and administrative services.
• Approve budget planning and expenditures in accordance with department/state procedures.
• Provide extensive technical assistance in responding to calls, electronic and written correspondences from a variety of stakeholders (hearing officers, parents, special education administrators, and consumers) and at the direction of the Deputy Superintendent regarding special education regulatory matters.
• Lead full‑cycle data analysis and reporting on special education disputes, including complaints, mediations, and due process hearings, to identify trends, root causes, compliance risks, and areas for improvement across local education agencies statewide.
• Translate complex data findings into actionable insights that inform statewide strategic planning, policy development, and prioritization of resources to support improved outcomes for students with disabilities.

Benefits

• Commonwealth of Virginia employees may have teleworking options available.
• Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director