DESCRIPTION

Idaho Department of Education
This position is exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission.
Please note: Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.
The Idaho Department of Education (Department) is dedicated to serving and providing common-sense leadership, support, and resources to educators across the state. The knowledge, skills, and experience of the Department’s employees are among our most valued and important assets. Employment with the Department provides a rewarding career that positively affects the lives of children in Idaho. To learn more, please visit our website at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/.
The Special Education Dispute Resolution (DR) Program Specialist will support the State Special Education’s Dispute Resolution office. Dispute Resolution processes are federally mandated to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which dictates stringent timelines and monitoring requirements associated with special education dispute resolution. This position works directly with the Dispute Resolution Coordinator and reports to the Director of Special Education.
The successful incumbent will be able to provide information, clarification, and assess the need for additional assistance by the DR Coordinator for parents and districts seeking information about special education concerns and/or dispute resolution processes; provide intake, case management activities, and track follow-up systems for facilitations, mediations, complaint investigations, and due process hearings; provide administrative support for the DR Coordinator, as well as up to thirty (30) contractors in the field; and provide support for multiple trainings and meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree or comparable education level required.
• Superior communication skills. Candidate must be able to convey, over the phone and in writing, professionalism and empathy when dealing with often distraught and frustrated individuals.
• Transferable skills in: managing multiple caseloads, including tracking timelines and monitoring complex follow-up activities; supporting training for large groups; composing and proofreading business, training, and technical documents; interpreting, applying and explaining complex information such as regulations, policies or services; accessing data using a computerized system; and maintaining a complex records system.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Adobe is required.
• Emphasis will be placed on strong organizational skills, ability to work independently, and balancing the workload for multiple and often time-sensitive responsibilities.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Business Administration, Education, or related field, from an accredited college or university.
• Education/experience in alternative dispute resolution, legal assisting and/or special education.
• Fluency in Excel is preferred (i.e. creating complex formulas and manipulation of data sets).
  PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: (with or without reasonable accommodation)

This position requires the ability to perform the following physical and job-related tasks:

• Operate standard office equipment such as a computer, telephone, copier, and scanner.
• Perform general administrative duties including typing, filing, answering phones, processing paperwork, and assembling office materials.
• Read, review, and process both printed and digital documents.
• Navigate websites and online systems; identify and respond to safety concerns; greet and assist visitors.
• Maintain focus and attention to detail for extended periods.
• Understand, communicate, and follow through on program support tasks and responsibilities.
• Approximately 90% of time is spent sitting at a desk or workstation, up to 4 hours at a time.
• Approximately 10% of time is spent standing, walking, bending, or kneeling.
• Occasionally lift items, typically weighing under 5 lbs., and occasionally up to 20 lbs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Remain calm and professional when de-escalating phone calls with distraught individuals.
• Provide technical information outlined in the Idaho Special Education Manual to parents, district personnel, and the general public accessing IDEA dispute resolution processes, including IEP facilitation.
• Appropriately channel individuals seeking information regarding the IDEA dispute resolution systems or other special education issues to the appropriate Coordinator or Director.
• Professionally, concisely, and accurately summarize the concerns of callers in writing.
• Compose and edit business and technical documents.
• Act as the point of contact for approximately thirty (30) independent DR contractors around the state and aid in effective problem-solving and support for those in the field.
• Implement multiple tracking systems that ensure: timely completion of state administrative complaint investigations and filing of written reports; IDEA-compliant use of mediation processes; proper coding of corrective actions performed by districts; assignment and evaluation of contractors for facilitations and mediations; and monitoring the progress of due process hearings which would include following up on district responsibilities and timelines.
• Provide detailed casework documentation, ensure timely distribution of notifications and office correspondence and reports, and coordinate follow-up activities associated with compliance of corrective actions by districts.
• Participate in the development and continual improvement of DR procedures and maintain a detailed procedural manual of office protocols.
• Support contractor needs, including circulation of contracts, submission of necessary documentation, resource support, and other supports, as needed.
• In partnership with the DR Coordinator, compile and disseminate relevant case law and other resources to contracted facilitators, mediators, complaint investigators, and hearing officers.
• Maintain secure files and uphold the stringent confidentiality requirements mandated by IDEA and FERPA.
• Update required dispute resolution data collection and management systems using Microsoft Excel and Outlook. Provide timely reports to the DR Coordinator of upcoming corrective actions and district delinquencies, as well as year-end reports to federal agencies.
• Provide administrative support to the DR Coordinator and help organize and provide materials for group meetings, task forces, and advisory committees.
• Assist in making presentations and providing training.
• Maintain the DR webpage to include parent and district resources, access to documents, and DR processes and scheduling.
• Act as the tier-one accessibility checker and format any public documents for ADA accessibility per SDE policies and procedures.
• Maintain records of off-site storage for the DR office and according to any updated records retention policy.
• In collaboration with the DR Coordinator and Communications Department, coordinate the review, processing, and timely response to public records requests in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and public records statutes.
• Conduct thorough reviews of records to identify and redact sensitive or confidential information, ensuring the protection of personally identifiable information (PII) and adherence to legal and regulatory guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.

This position requires the ability to perform the following physical and job-related tasks:

• Operate standard office equipment such as a computer, telephone, copier, and scanner.
• Perform general administrative duties including typing, filing, answering phones, processing paperwork, and assembling office materials.
• Read, review, and process both printed and digital documents.
• Navigate websites and online systems; identify and respond to safety concerns; greet and assist visitors.
• Maintain focus and attention to detail for extended periods.
• Understand, communicate, and follow through on program support tasks and responsibilities.
• Approximately 90% of time is spent sitting at a desk or workstation, up to 4 hours at a time.
• Approximately 10% of time is spent standing, walking, bending, or kneeling.
• Occasionally lift items, typically weighing under 5 lbs., and occasionally up to 20 lbs