JOB SUMMARY
Assists schools (Administration, IEP Facilitators, educators, and clerks), parents, and students by providing technical assistance regarding special education compliance and related issues. Provides proactive supports for families and schools to address concerns that may result in litigation. Attends school-based special education meetings as requested. Coordinates and represents AACPS in special education mediation sessions, as requested. Annually conducts internal monitoring activities, as assigned. Coordinates, and assists with, state monitoring activities. Assists with investigation and response to MSDE and OCR complaints and supporting schools in any follow-up corrective action. Participates on AACPS and state committees, as assigned. Designs and implements professional development to build compliant processes.

Additional Work Days/Hours
Based on the assignment, the following additional work days and/or hours may be required as needed:

• Evenings/Nights

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reviews case law, OCR, and MSDE documents to support schools with the most current information. Assists schools to develop appropriate IEPs, including job embedded training, review, and monitoring activities. Provides technical assistance to schools, parents, and students on special education issues and investigates all requests to ensure correct information is provided.
• Attends IEP team meetings at the request of schools or parents to support school teams in completing special education processes.
• Investigates, coordinates, and conducts mediation sessions and due process hearings with parents , attorneys and/or school teams.
• Oversees and organizes the work of the Internal Monitors.
• Monitors and provides technical assistance to complete corrective actions required by MSDE investigations. Assists with investigation of MSDE complaints at the school-based level. Oversees the completion of corrective actions required of the school and/or district teams.
• Supports the Senior Manager of Compliance and Legal Issues and other units assigned to the office by attending monthly meetings, planning for/implementing professional development, and strategically addressing follow-up on concerns.
• Coordinates the printing, revisions, and dissemination of special education forms and documents, including updating the e-handbook.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Special Education or related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university required;
• Master's Degree in related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university preferred;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the employee to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Experience

• Five (5) years successful teaching or related experience working with special education issues in a professional capacity required; and
• Three (3) years experience in a supervisory or management role required;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the employee to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Extensive knowledge with regard to special education compliance and procedural issues.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in written form with professional colleagues, staff, students, parents and attorneys.
• Demonstrates ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g. Video/Web Conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite -Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint preferred).

Licenses and Certifications
Employee must retain active licenses, certifications, and enrollment as a condition of employment.

• Hold or be eligible for Educator Certification: Professional Eligibility Certificate (PEC) issued by Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) required.
• Hold or be eligible for Driver's License (DL) Class C Non-Commercial issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence (MVA/DMV) required;
• Daily access to reliable transportation.

Driving Requirements

• Driving is required to conduct bona fide Board business that is within the scope of employment in this position.
• Personal Vehicle

LEADERSHIP ROLE

• First level supervisor

People Management

• This position acts as the manager for direct staff.
• This position acts as the manager for 101 to 200 indirect staff.
• This position manages departments.

Management Duties/Responsibilities

• Maintains records for use in supervision.
• Plans the work.
• Determines the techniques to use.
• Monitors and implements legal compliance measures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Standing: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Walking: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Sitting: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Keyboarding: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Talking: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Hearing: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Driving: under 1/3 percent of the time
• As required by the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Vision
The vision demands with correction described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• No special vision requirements

Work Environment
Location

• Office, school or similar indoor environment: over 2/3 percent of the time

Noise Level

• Moderate: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time

Weight & Force
Lifting and carrying requirements

• None:

Travel Requirements

• 30% day travel within the county for school visitation/service provision.

JOB INFORMATION

ORGANIZATION

HR JOB INFORMATION

VR#24060