Special Education Monitoring Specialist (Education Program Specialist I)

About the Role

The primary purpose of this position is to implement the Birth – 21 Accountability to Improve Performance (AIP) system, an integral part of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Special Education (DSE) general supervision responsibility under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The AIP process monitors local public provider agencies statewide serving infants, toddlers, young children, and youth with disabilities and their families. It ensures compliance with 20 USC 1400, 34 CFR 300 and 303, and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) related to early intervention and special education services. The role emphasizes requirements that improve educational and functional outcomes for children with disabilities (Birth through 21) by verifying data, examining evidence-based practices, documenting noncompliance, and providing technical assistance for timely correction. These activities impact the State’s accountability on federally specified indicators and influence the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) performance determination status.

Responsibilities

• Conducts on-site monitoring activities to determine compliance of Local Infants and Toddlers Programs (LITP), Local Education Agencies (LEA), and Public Agencies (PA) with IDEA and COMAR for children with disabilities, Birth – 21.
• Performs desk audits of LITPs, LEAs, and PAs data and reviews documents for sufficiency to assess compliance with IDEA and COMAR.
• Collects and reviews data to identify State and federal requirements requiring compliance verification in LITPs, LEAs, and PAs.
• Assists LITPs, LEAs, and PAs in developing processes to ensure compliance and support improved outcomes for children with disabilities, Birth – 21.
• Compiles and drafts formal reports for LITPs, LEAs, and PAs on monitoring results, including data-driven self-assessments for improved results and compliance with federal and State laws.
• Serves as the Division Contact for the DSE State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR).
• Coordinates and maintains the DSE SPP/APR to support goals and objectives for individual indicators.
• Collaborates with other MSDE divisions, task forces, work groups, advocacy organizations, and professional organizations as requested.
• Provides lead technical assistance and support to Division Branch Chiefs aligned with the State Performance Plan and Annual Performance results reporting.

Requirements

• A Master’s Degree or equivalent (36 post-baccalaureate credit hours) in Education, Special Education, or a related field.
• Four (4) years of professional administrative experience in or affiliated with special education or early intervention programs.
• One (1) year of experience in special education monitoring or two (2) years of experience in a special education leadership role at the local level.

Substitution options:

• A Bachelor’s degree with two additional years of the required experience may substitute for the Master’s degree.
• A Doctorate degree in a related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
• U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Education Program classifications or specialty codes may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background checks as a routine procedure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with trends, regulations, policies, and issues governing early intervention and special education programs.
• Experience working with programs addressing LITP, LEA, and PA compliance with IDEA and COMAR for children with disabilities, Birth – 21.
• Experience collecting, managing, and analyzing data and information.

Benefits

State of Maryland benefits are available to employees.