Director of Special Education Dispute Resolution

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education in Richmond seeks a Director of Special Education Dispute Resolution to oversee the Office of Special Education Dispute Resolution and provide high-level, technical services to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.

Lead staff, manage case processes, budgets, and stakeholder communications while translating complex data into strategic statewide guidance aimed at protecting the rights of students with disabilities.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of federal/state special education laws and dispute resolution.
• Experience with budgets, research methods and project management.
• Knowledge of local/state education policies and government procedures.
• Proven supervisory ability and leadership resolution.
• Ability to define problems and apply regulatory principles to education issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide management and supervision of staff in the Office of Special Education Dispute Resolution.
• Oversee office protocols for case processing and training on dispute resolution.
• Review and approve matters related to the dispute system, guidance, IDEA compliance.
• Approve reimbursements for due process hearings and related services.
• Oversee budget planning and expenditures per procedures.
• Provide technical assistance to stakeholders on regulatory matters.
• Lead full-cycle data analysis of disputes to identify trends and risks.
• Translate data findings into statewide policy planning and resource prioritization.

Skills

Special education laws

Dispute resolution

Budgeting and resource allocation

Leadership and supervision

Policy and regulatory analysis

Data analysis

Education

Advanced degree in administration or related field

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Case management systems

Regulatory compliance tools

Data reporting tools

Job description

Title: Director of Special Education Dispute Resolution

State Role Title: Education Administrator IV

Hiring Range: $131,000-$147,000

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept of Ed Central Operations

Location: Richmond, Virginia

Agency Website: doe.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is recruiting for a Director Special Education of Dispute Resolution to supervise the Office of Special Education Dispute Resolution and provide highly complex, professional, technical, and analytical services to ensure an effective compliance system with complaints, mediation and due process actions, and assurances related to compliance with federal and state law and regulations.

• Provide management, oversight and supervision of staff in the Office of Special Education Dispute Resolution. Manages the performance evaluation process.
• Oversee the implementation of office protocols related to processing case correspondences for the systems, maintaining case files and tracking systems and provide specialized training on aspects of dispute resolution, and matters related to special education regulations.
• Review and approve matters and work products related to the implementation of special education dispute system, regulation revision process, development and posting of guidance, technical assistance and professional development and dissemination of information related to IDEA and the state special education regulations.
• Approve reimbursements associated with due process hearings, mediations, facilitations and complaint appeal reviews, and administrative services.
• Approve budget planning and expenditures in accordance with department/state procedures.
• Provide extensive technical assistance in responding to calls, electronic and written correspondences from a variety of stakeholders (hearing officers, parents, special education administrators, and consumers) and at the direction of the Deputy Superintendent regarding special education regulatory matters.
• Lead full‑cycle data analysis and reporting on special education disputes, including complaints, mediations, and due process hearings, to identify trends, root causes, compliance risks, and areas for improvement across local education agencies statewide.
• Translate complex data findings into actionable insights that inform statewide strategic planning, policy development, and prioritization of resources to support improved outcomes for students with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal/state laws/regulations in special education and dispute resolution systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of resource allocation, budgets, research methods and project management diverse internal and external teams
• Demonstrated knowledge of local school divisions, state and local government policies and procedures and state agency functions.
• Proven ability to supervise teams and effectively resolve workplace leadership challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to define problems and apply problem solving techniques and legal and regulatory principles to complex educational issues.

Additional Considerations

• Graduation from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred. An advanced degree in administration, law, special education or other related fields is preferred.
• Extensive experience in managing systems relative to complaints, mediation or administrative proceedings; case management; and developing educational programs or services for local school divisions.
• Experience in analytical and research areas.

Special Instructions

A résumé will be accepted in lieu of a completed state application. Applications submitted via e‑mail, postal service, fax or hand‑delivered will not be considered. Successful candidates must pass a criminal background check. Commonwealth of Virginia employees may have teleworking options available. Final teleworking agreements will be reviewed and approved upon hire.

This role will require completion of a Statement of Economic Interests (SOEI), which is filed annual with the General Assembly.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process. For assistance call: [phone], [TTY: 786-8389]

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. The Virginia Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.