The Educational Specialist II - IEP Implementation is a key member of the Office of Special Education who supports districtwide efforts to ensure that all students with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in accordance with federal (IDEA), state (COMAR), and local regulations. This position is responsible for providing procedural and substantive compliance support to school-based teams, conducting IEP audits and monitoring activities, and overseeing the operational management of the Maryland Online IEP (MOIEP) system. The Educational Specialist II works collaboratively with school and central office staff to develop high-quality, legally compliant IEPs and to strengthen school-level practices related to IEP implementation. This role plays a critical part in helping the district meet its obligations under special education law by ensuring consistent, accurate, and timely documentation, decision-making, and service delivery for students with disabilities.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in special education or a related services field from an accredited college or university.
• Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Advanced Professional Certificate with appropriate endorsement in Special Education or related services.
• Minimum of three years of successful experience teaching or providing related services to students with disabilities.
• In-depth knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), and related federal, state, and local policies governing special education and the IEP process.
• Demonstrated ability to support compliance with procedural and substantive IEP requirements and to coach others in best practices for IEP development and implementation.
• Experience planning and delivering effective professional learning for diverse stakeholder groups, including teachers, related service providers, administrators, and central office staff.
• Strong understanding of procedural safeguards for students with disabilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with school-based staff, central office departments, legal counsel, and external agencies to support compliance and student outcomes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise guidance and present to varied audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to build relationships, facilitate meetings, and lead teams toward shared goals.
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and web-based systems; experience using the Maryland Online IEP (MOIEP) system or similar platforms preferred.

• Develops and disseminates guidance and technical assistance to support consistent, compliant implementation of federal, state, and local special education policies and procedures, with a primary focus on ensuring Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with disabilities across all school settings.
• Monitors and audits IEP records and practices in response to a variety of compliance-related needs, including state monitoring or audit activities, internal data reviews, and parent concerns or formal complaints. Uses findings to recommend corrective actions and system-level improvements.
• Provides procedural and substantive compliance support to central office and school-based staff. Offers targeted coaching, training, and consultation to ensure high-quality, legally defensible IEPs aligned with student needs.
• Leads the day-to-day management and oversight of the Maryland Online IEP (MOIEP) system, including:
• Assigning and updating user access and staff permissions across schools.
• Troubleshooting access and password issues.
• Supporting data entry accuracy and resolving data cleansing errors.
• Facilitating secure transfer of IEP records between local school systems.
• Requesting and entering state student identification numbers.
• Coordinating with MSDE and other districts to ensure accurate and timely IEP record maintenance.
• Designs and delivers professional learning for central office and school-based staff, with a focus on procedural safeguards, compliant IEP development, and understanding specially designed instruction as it relates to student needs and the general education curriculum.
• Collaborates across offices, including Legal, Third Party Billing, Student Support Services, and the Data Monitoring team, to ensure systemwide alignment and implementation of special education mandates.
• Supports systemic initiatives related to IEP compliance, working closely with the Coordinator of Individualized Education Plan Compliance and School Success Liaisons: Special Education to improve school practices and address identified areas of concern.
• Develops and maintains IEP training modules, job aids, and other resources that assist staff in understanding and executing IEP processes in accordance with current regulations and district procedures.
• Maintains current knowledge of IDEA, COMAR, and MSDE guidance, and applies this expertise to ensure City Schools’ special education practices remain compliant and responsive to regulatory expectations.
• Performs and promotes all activities in compliance with equal employment and nondiscrimination policies; follows federal and state laws, Board policies, and professional standards of conduct.
• Utilizes resources appropriately to complete work in the most efficient manner; proactively communicates the status of work; participates and contributes fully as a team member; and exercises sound judgment and decision-making skills to resolve sensitive matters.
• Maintains confidential and sensitive information.
• Performs and promotes all activities in compliance with equal employment and non-discrimination policies; follows federal laws, state laws, school board policies, administrative regulations, and the professional standards.