Education Program Specialist - Dispute Resolution

About the role

On behalf of the Office of Chief Legal Counsel, Dispute Resolution Section, this position ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state regulations through a program that offers mediation and facilitation options to parties at dispute regarding special education. The work location is 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

Responsibilities

• Acts as the coordinator of the special education mediation and facilitation program.
• Provides technical assistance to the public and parties to a dispute regarding mediation and facilitation processes and special education.
• Communicates and collaborates with impartial hearing officers, complaint investigators, educational agencies, families, and mediators to support the effective implementation of the mediation and facilitation program.
• Trains contracted mediators on special education, mediation, and facilitation.
• Documents and manages the mediation/facilitation process from intake to closure.
• Collects and analyzes data on special education disputes and mediation and facilitation.
• Collaborates with internal staff on ensuring fiscal and procurement procedures are accurately implemented for contracted mediators.
• Supports the State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children.
• Participates and organizes statewide meetings for administrators, teachers, and parents of children with disabilities.
• Collaborates with complaint investigators and attorneys on state complaint investigations and reviews complaint documents.
• Conducts workshops and makes presentations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

6 years of experience in any combination of the following:

• Direct or administrative experience with alternative dispute resolution options (e.g., mediation and facilitation).
• Direct or administrative experience dealing with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) related rules, policies, and procedures (e.g., writing and implementing special education procedures and required documents).

Preferred Qualifications

• A working knowledge of Special Education and specifically the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
• Completion of a Master’s degree in one of the following areas: Education (i.e., special education, educational administration/leadership, curriculum (core academic content), assessment, education technology, cross-cultural studies, gifted, educational guidance/counseling) or related services (i.e., school psychology, educational psychology, speech-language pathology, audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy); Social Work; Public Policy; Public Administration; Juris Doctorate; Communication; Journalism; Dispute Resolution; Social Sciences; Criminal Justice.

Skills

• Educational support
• Organization
• Interviewing
• Education
• Investigation
• Law
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Written Communication

Pay

Starting at $34.28 per hour.

Schedule

Full-time, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.