The Ohio Department of Education is a diverse team of passionate, education-focused professionals dedicated to fulfilling the vision established in Each Child, Our Future , Ohio’s strategic plan for education. The vision is, “In Ohio, each child is challenged to discover and learn, prepared to pursue a fulfilling post-high school path and empowered to become a resilient, lifelong learner who contributes to society.” Ensuring this vision for each of Ohio’s 1.7 million students, in partnership with more than 240,000 educators across the state, is no small feat. Under the leadership of the superintendent of public instruction and governed by the State Board of Education, Department team members, in collaboration with a wide range of partners, are sharply focused on helping schools and districts continually improve to be the best they can be for each child. Equity and impact are core to every program, service and action. The Department’s work is well regarded both in Ohio and nationally for its innovative, leading-edge and forward-looking approach. When the Department succeeds, students succeed, communities succeed and Ohio succeeds.
Culture and Values:
Ohio Department of Education is mission driven, values a culture of feedback and places a premium on growth mindset among all its team members. Together the enterprise is building a continuous learning and improvement community.
What You’ll Do:
Serves as an unclassified employee pursuant to O.R.C. Section 3301.13 and performs the following educational and/or research duties: On behalf of the Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state regulations through the formal complaint process:
- Investigates IDEA formal complaints within the 60-day federal timeline;
- Ensures formal and neutral complaint process are followed;
- Provides technical assistance to parties regarding the process, develops various complaint letters;
- Develops interview questions and conducts interviews;
- Conducts onsite visits (as applicable);
- Develops a letter of allegation, including issues based on the original complaint, and provides legal citation;
- Develops a letter of finding including restating issues from the letter of allegations, facts pertinent to each issue, finding of a violation or non-violation;
- Develops a corrective action plan if there is noncompliance;
- Provides technical assistance to district administrators, advocates, attorneys, parents and organizations regarding the dispute resolution process and IDEA;
- Responds to inquiries regarding the dispute resolution processes and IDEA;
- Makes presentations to State agencies, committees, parents, school districts and other groups on a variety of special education topics.
Performs other duties as assigned:
- Participates and organizes statewide meetings for administrators, teachers and parents of children with disabilities;
- Conducts workshops and makes presentations. Unusual Working Conditions: Requires travel throughout State of Ohio and may require overnight stay. (Must be willing and able to secure a valid Driver’s License OR supply your own transportation).
What’s in it for you:
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website ! Our benefits package includes:
Medical Coverage
- Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the available Ohio Med plans.
Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance
- Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period . Length of eligibility period is dependent on union representation.
Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
- 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth/Adoption leave
Employee Development Funds
- The State of Ohio offers a variety of educational and professional development funding that varies based on whether you are a union-exempt employee or a union-represented employee.
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
- OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.
Deferred Compensation
- The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Serves as an unclassified employee pursuant to O.R.C. Section 3301.13 and performs the following educational and/or research duties: On behalf of the Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state regulations through the formal complaint process:
- Investigates IDEA formal complaints within the 60-day federal timeline;
- Ensures formal and neutral complaint process are followed;
- Provides technical assistance to parties regarding the process, develops various complaint letters;
- Develops interview questions and conducts interviews;
- Conducts onsite visits (as applicable);
- Develops a letter of allegation, including issues based on the original complaint, and provides legal citation;
- Develops a letter of finding including restating issues from the letter of allegations, facts pertinent to each issue, finding of a violation or non-violation;
- Develops a corrective action plan if there is noncompliance;
- Provides technical assistance to district administrators, advocates, attorneys, parents and organizations regarding the dispute resolution process and IDEA;
- Responds to inquiries regarding the dispute resolution processes and IDEA;
- Makes presentations to State agencies, committees, parents, school districts and other groups on a variety of special education topics.
Performs other duties as assigned:
- Participates and organizes statewide meetings for administrators, teachers and parents of children with disabilities;
- Conducts workshops and makes presentations. Unusual Working Conditions: Requires travel throughout State of Ohio and may require overnight stay. (Must be willing and able to secure a valid Driver’s License OR supply your own transportation).
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
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; and 3 years of experience in any combination of the following:
- Legal and/or analytical writing.
- 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).
- Analysis of documents and records, and in conducting investigatory interviews (e.g., phone, in-person).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with conducting investigations and writing investigatory reports
- A working knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act