PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV-DOE - 48003696 1

State of Florida•TALLAHASSEE, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is assigned to the Dispute Resolution and Monitoring (DRM) section of the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS). This position primarily conducts state complaint investigations related to compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Additionally, this position assists with the State Performance Plan, Dispute Resolution, and Monitoring. The position provides technical assistance with exceptional education, regarding compliance with Federal and State requirements in accordance with IDEA.

Requirements

Ability to understand and apply Federal regulations and State rules
Ability to communicate effectively including verbal and written communication
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel
Ability to manage multiple competing tasks in a timely manner
Complete candidate profile in its entirety
Work history in easy to review chronological order, including any position held by a State of Florida Agency, any position held by a Florida University, all periods of employment from high school graduation, all periods of current or prior unemployment, gaps of 3 months or more must be accounted for, any education, any volunteer experience
Resume and application must match
Gaps of 3 months or more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.
It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history. Your candidate profile will be converted to your official application.
Include supervisor names and phone numbers for reference checks or the contact information for your Human Resources office to verify current or former employment.
Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
If claiming Veteran’s Preference, the candidate MUST attach supporting documentation such as the DD214 and your VA Letter that reflects level of disability if applicable. Applicable to career service positions only.
If claiming Right to First Interview, the candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions. Applicable to career service positions only.
Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.
Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.
Applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications.

Nice To Haves

Excellent communication and writing skills
Experience working with students with disabilities
Experience conducting legal research and investigations

Responsibilities

Conducts investigations for state complaint inquiries
Tracks district corrective actions and provides technical assistance to support timely correction of noncompliance
Reviews on an ongoing basis state and federal laws, regulations, hearings, court cases or case law, and policy interpretations pertaining to the education of students with disabilities and students in gifted education for the purpose of ensuring the dissemination of accurate information to school districts and parents
Assists with the resolution of disagreements between parents and school districts by facilitating mediation, communicating, providing information, and by using a variety of problem-solving techniques and alternative resolution options
Provides technical assistance related to state-sponsored mediation and due process hearings
Maintains or reviews appropriate records for trend data
Assists with data analysis and reporting related to dispute resolution
Assists other sections as related to their expertise
Collaborates with other Bureau staff as a team leader/participant on State Performance Plan (SPP) indicator team(s)
Demonstrates a thorough understanding and knowledge of the indicator measurement, related data, improvement activities, and SPP/Annual Performance Report (APR) calendar
In the context of team activities, reviews indicator data to evaluate progress and slippage and design/evaluate improvement activities
Coordinates/conducts monitoring activities related to assigned districts in accordance with the Bureau’s monitoring system, which may include on-site visits to school districts, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, correctional facilities, juvenile justice facilities, and other agencies to determine compliance with state and federal regulations
Produces timely and accurate written reports of monitoring activities
Supports the development and implementation of the Bureau’s web-based General Supervision monitoring system
Remains abreast of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to exceptional students and of policy interpretations held by the USDOE and the FLDOE
Participates in or coordinates the development, dissemination, and tracking of the Exceptional Student Education Policies and Procedures (P&P) document
Assists in the revision of State Board of Education rules to ensure conformity with state statute and federal legal provisions
Analyzes legislative bill proposals for potential impact on exceptional student education policies, procedures, and programs
Participates in or coordinates the annual updating of Exceptional Student Education Compliance Manual
Develops and provides technical assistance, support, and information related to exceptional student education compliance and regulations through written and oral communication with parents, school districts, and other agency staff
Collaborates with other Bureau and/or department staff through workgroups and special assignments to assist districts in assigned area(s) of expertise
Provides technical, information and support to ESE programs through the integration and analysis of available data, including the results of compliance monitoring, district-specific information in P&P documents, dispute resolution data, and district performance data
Develops and/or revises technical assistance documents, as assigned

Benefits

State Group Insurance coverage options+(health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental option)
Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (www.myfrs.com)
Nine paid holidays and a Personal Holiday each year
Annual and Sick Leave Benefits
Student Loan Forgiveness Program (Eligibility required)
Flexible Spending Accounts
Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida colleges/universities)
Ongoing comprehensive training provided
Career Growth
Highly skilled, professional environment
Maternity and Parental Leave Benefits