Student Conduct Hearing Officer

Baltimore County Public Schools • Middle River, MD

36d

About The Position

Serves as the Superintendents representative for student disciplinary hearings when a recommendation for a removal greater than ten days has been made by a principal or executive director.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree.
• Five years of educational leadership/administrative experience that involved disciplinary decision making and the planning and implementation of student behavioral plans.
• Five years successful teaching experience.
• Possession of or eligibility for a Maryland Advanced Professional Certificate with an Administrator I endorsement
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public education.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, COMAR, board of education policies, and superintendent's rules related to student discipline.
• Technology competency.
• Knowledge of the student information systems.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of applications (e.g., Excel, Word PowerPoint, Publisher), and related applications.
• Knowledge of data warehouse and data analysis.
• Demonstration of outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstration of strong leadership and human relations skills.

Responsibilities

• Schedules and holds disciplinary hearings both virtually and in-person for students who have been recommended for an extended suspension or expulsion; organizes hearing calendar to comply with the state-mandated timeline for holding hearings.
• Thoroughly reviews available evidence prior to scheduling a disciplinary hearing to ensure that a full hearing is warranted.
• Establishes potential outcomes for hearings based on the case's unique circumstances.
• Reviews evidence presented by school administrators during hearings, looking specifically for the evidence that supports an extended suspension or expulsion.
• Analyzes student data and Individualized Education Program (IEP) and related plans to ensure that students with disabilities are being disciplined in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Renders decisions about extended suspensions and expulsions based on the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), Board of Education policy, and Superintendent's rules.
• Works collaboratively with alternative program administrators providing periodic check-ins to ensure that students' enrollment in an alternative program allows students to continue to progress academically and to graduate with their cohort.
• Documents all matters pertaining to disciplinary hearings in the student information system, updating relevant fields following each hearing.
• Contacts schools when additional information is needed.
• Responds to requests for information regarding disciplinary events and hearings outcomes and communicates hearing decisions to stakeholders in a clear and coherent manner using professionally written disposition letters.
• Participates in professional learning sessions geared toward effectively and efficiently administering discipline.
• Provides professional learning to school administrators.
• Collaborates with school safety managers, executive directors, and other stakeholders on disciplinary events that have the potential to threaten the safety of students, faculty and staff; participates in group discussions and helps to determine appropriate placements.
• Processes reportable offenses notifications in collaboration with school administrators to ensure the safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff.
• Collaborates with police officers and representatives from juvenile services.
• Facilitates students' transition to and from alternative programs and conducts reviews for students who have been in alternative programs for extended amounts of time and schedules reinstatements to comprehensive schools as the evidence dictates.
• Generates reports from the student information system to obtain suspension and expulsion data; analyzes suspension and expulsion data and creates a comprehensive report or a visual presentation to share information with stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• BCPS offers a comprehensive benefits program for eligible employees including options for medical plans, dental plans, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, and 403(b)/457 plans.
• Other benefits include paid holidays, sick, personal business, and bereavement days, and flexible leave options such as FMLA, sick bank, and board approved leaves.
• All new hires will attend a benefits meeting upon hire.

What This Job Offers

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