Legal Assistant - Special Education Compliance

at  State of Missouri

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS POSITION:

The Compliance Section is responsible for ensuring local educational agencies (LEAs) implement all laws and regulations related to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This is done through monitoring special education programs for students with disabilities ages 3-21, in all public schools, providing technical assistance and investigating child complaints.

• Proficiency with office applications including Microsoft Office Suite applications and Access.
• Ability to plan and organize work activities to achieve established program goals and to complete assignments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to prepare complete and concise reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, school district personnel, the Administrative Hearing Commissioners, mediators, IEP meeting facilitators, and the public.
• Ability to communicate with fellow staff and provide information to supervisors.
• Ability to provide effective written communication which is tailored to the needs of the audience.
• Ability to receive and place telephone calls and use DESE’s web-based inquiry system to assign and track calls and web inquiries.
• Assign incoming dispute resolution matters to the compliance section, the Administrative Hearing Commission, mediators, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) meeting facilitators and prepare and disseminate corresponding letters.
• Monitor assignment of incoming child complaints and prepare and disseminate corresponding letters and memos for investigators.
• Prepare staff expense account reimbursement forms to be submitted to Office of Administration.
• Receive and process invoices for goods/services (Department Purchase Requisition (DPR) process) received.
• Schedule meetings and send required notices to participants.
• Draft and publish office memos.
• Respond to inquiries and public record requests from district personnel and general public regarding section activities.
• Ability to interpret, explain, and apply policies related to specific activities conducted by the section.
• Perform other related work as assigned.
• Demonstrate regular, reliable, and engaged attendance.
• Full job description available upon request.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from high school or High School Equivalency.
• Three or more years of progressive experience performing the duties of special assistants and/or personal secretaries for lawyers including: business and legal communication, public relations, scheduling and travel management, secretarial accounting, filing systems and record management, report preparation, legal terminology, and research methods.
  The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.
  If you have questions about this position please contact: hr@dese.mo.gov
  Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Human Resources at (573) 751-9619, through Missouri Relay System at (800) 735-2966, or via email at hr@dese.mo.gov.
  Notice of Non-Discrimination: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by statute in its programs and activities. Inquiries related to Department employment practices may be directed to the Jefferson State Office Building, Human Resources Director, 8th floor, 205 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0480; telephone number 573-751-9619 or TYY 800-735-2966.
  To Our Applicants with Disabilities: For assistance with any phase of the Department process, please notify the Director of Human Resources at (573) 751-9619. Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate special needs. TTY/TDD Relay Missouri service (800) 735-2966.
  Notice to Applicants: The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is unable to sponsor applicants in their application for work visas through INS. If you have questions, please contact Human Resources.
  The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

• Proficiency with office applications including Microsoft Office Suite applications and Access.
• Ability to plan and organize work activities to achieve established program goals and to complete assignments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to prepare complete and concise reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, school district personnel, the Administrative Hearing Commissioners, mediators, IEP meeting facilitators, and the public.
• Ability to communicate with fellow staff and provide information to supervisors.
• Ability to provide effective written communication which is tailored to the needs of the audience.
• Ability to receive and place telephone calls and use DESE’s web-based inquiry system to assign and track calls and web inquiries.
• Assign incoming dispute resolution matters to the compliance section, the Administrative Hearing Commission, mediators, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) meeting facilitators and prepare and disseminate corresponding letters.
• Monitor assignment of incoming child complaints and prepare and disseminate corresponding letters and memos for investigators.
• Prepare staff expense account reimbursement forms to be submitted to Office of Administration.
• Receive and process invoices for goods/services (Department Purchase Requisition (DPR) process) received.
• Schedule meetings and send required notices to participants.
• Draft and publish office memos.
• Respond to inquiries and public record requests from district personnel and general public regarding section activities.
• Ability to interpret, explain, and apply policies related to specific activities conducted by the section.
• Perform other related work as assigned.
• Demonstrate regular, reliable, and engaged attendance.
• Full job description available upon request