Education Program Consultant (Complaints and Dispute Resolution)

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa Department of Education is seeking a capable leader to coordinate dispute resolution processes and oversee state complaints under IDEA and related rules. You will work within the Bureau of Student and Family Special Education Services to ensure compliance and timely decisions.

The role demands strong analytical and communication skills, experience with IDEA, and the ability to develop and refine policies. Travel and collaboration with attorneys and educators are expected.

Qualifications

• Experience with monitoring the implementation of IDEA.
• Experience delivering special education in Iowa.
• Experience analyzing education policy and its impact on programs.

Responsibilities

• Investigate state complaints alleging IDEA or Iowa Admin Code violations; include on-site visits and interviews.
• Research state complaints to determine statues/regulations of possible non-compliance.
• Prepare thorough written decisions detailing allegations, findings, and recommended corrective action.
• Participate in training and team meetings as provided by the attorney and dispute resolution coordinator.
• Collaborate on developing, reviewing, and revising internal and external policies related to state complaints.
• Assist in developing and maintaining a new complaint database and respond to questions from stakeholders.

Skills

Dispute resolution

Education policy analysis

IDEA compliance monitoring

Special education delivery

Education

Master’s degree with teaching certificate (optional)

School Business Official Authorization

Job description

Job Description

Iowa Department of Education’s mission is creating excellence in education through leadership and service. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to make this a reality.

We are looking to find a highly qualified leader to serve as the Department’s Education Program Consultant to Coordinate Dispute Resolution processes. This individual will provide key leadership and oversight for the Department and be situated in the Bureau of Student and Family Special Education Services.

Your Responsibilities

• Investigate state complaints filed with the Iowa Department of Education alleging violations of the requirements of IDEA or Iowa Administrative Code chapter 41. This entails fact-finding and evidence gathering pertaining to complaint information and allegations; including conducting on-site visits/interviews with parents and school districts as determined necessary by the investigator. Communicate with attorneys as necessary per the complaint. Participate in Department general supervision activities, including focused monitoring, call cadre and state complaints.
• Research the state complaint in comparison to IDEA or Iowa Administrative Code chapter 41 to determine statues/regulations of possible non-compliance.
• Prepare thorough, accurate, and timely written decisions on complaint allegations that detail the allegations, findings of fact, legal conclusions and recommended corrective action to the special education attorney.
• Participate in training, including quarterly team meetings, as provided by the special education attorney and dispute resolution coordinator.
• Work closely with the special education attorney and dispute resolution coordinator in the developing, reviewing, and revising of both internal and external policies and procedures related to state complaints to ensure maximum efficiency, compliance with state and federal laws, and to provide clarity and guidance to the parents and school personnel.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of a new complaint database. This includes responding to questions from parents, attorneys, and school personnel regarding the use of the database and working closely with the legal administrative assistant and dispute resolution coordinator to ensure all complaint matters are accurately updated and reflected in the database system.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with the education of learners with disabilities.
• Experience in education policy analysis.
• Experience with monitoring the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
• Experience with the delivery of special education in Iowa.

If you wish to review a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire, please contact [e-mail] .

Hours:

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

A successful candidate will bring or have the ability and desire to learn:

• Passion for pursuing common goals in pursuit of public service
• Strong technical skills
• Strategic and analytical mindset
• Ability to work in complex situations and meet deadlines while leading teams as a non-traditional leader (no supervisory authority)
• Experience providing technical assistance and professional learning to educators
• Ability to interpret and break down highly technical or regulatory language, and present information in an understandable manner
• Ability to manage self in relation to prioritization and time management
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
• Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of children, their families, and Iowa communities
• Collaborative, positive work environment
• Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and benefits package:

https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/employment/Benefits_Beyond_the_Paycheck.pdf (Download PDF reader)

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov .

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and five years of full-time post-graduate work experience in any one or a combination of the following areas:
• Professional training, teaching, or counseling experience in an educational setting;
• Professional administrative experience in an educational setting;
• Professional finance, accounting, or auditing experience, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements;
• Professional experience in a major technical program area housed within the Iowa Department of Education;
• Professional data integration, data analysis, and statistical analysis experience;
• Professional communications experience, including public relations, marketing, or journalism;
• Professional school safety and emergency preparedness experience.
• A combination of a total of five years of post-graduate education and full-time experience (as described in number one), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited post-graduate college or university course work equals one year of full-time experience.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree, possession of a valid Iowa Teaching Certificate, and three academic years of teaching and/or administrative experience in PK-12 and/or a post-secondary educational institution.
• Possession of a School Business Official Authorization from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and seven years of full-time professional experience in finance, accounting, or auditing, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements.