Education Program Specialist - Dispute Resolution

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

4d • Onsite

About The Position

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. 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 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.

Requirements

• 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).
• The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check as well as other investigative reviews.
• The final applicant for this position will be required to submit urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to an appointment.

Nice To Haves

• 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, 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• 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 )

What This Job Offers

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