Special Education Compliance

Wayne County Schools Employment Network; Harper Woods (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne County Schools Employment Network seeks a Special Education Compliance Specialist to manage district-wide IDEA and Michigan special education compliance. You will verify identification, evaluation, eligibility, IEP development, safeguards, discipline and data reporting to ensure audit readiness.

Collaborating with administrators, school teams, related services, and outside agencies, you will ensure students with disabilities receive services in accordance with IDEA, 504/Title II, and MDE

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required (Master's preferred) in special education, education leadership, school psychology, counseling, or related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA and Michigan special education compliance.
• Experience with IEP processes, discipline requirements, and due process support.

Responsibilities

• Monitor IDEA and Michigan special education compliance district-wide; implement corrective action plans as needed.
• Oversee evaluation timelines, eligibility determinations, and IEP development to ensure compliance and proper services.
• Support due process activities, safeguards, and dispute resolution with appropriate documentation.
• Coordinate with administrators, school teams, and related service providers to ensure LRE and appropriate service delivery.

Skills

IDEA compliance

Documentation accuracy

Communication with families

Education

Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in special education or related field

Tools

Student information systems

Job description

• Date Posted:
  8/31/2026

Special Education Compliance Specialist

Reports To: Special Education Director

Location: Harper Woods School District (on-site and district-wide travel as required)

Role Summary

The Special Education Compliance Officer supports the Special Education Director by managing, monitoring, and verifying district compliance with all federal and Michigan special education requirements. This position ensures legally compliant procedures for identification, evaluation, eligibility, IEP development and implementation, procedural safeguards, discipline, data reporting, and audit readiness. The Compliance Officer partners with administrators, school teams, related service providers, general education staff, and outside agencies to ensure students with disabilities receive services in accordance with IDEA, Section 504/Title II as applicable, and Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requirements.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Federal IDEA & Michigan Special Education Compliance Monitoring

• Maintain district compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and implementing regulations.
• Ensure alignment with Michigan Department of Education (MDE) special education rules, guidance, and required processes.
• Review district procedures and implement corrective action plans when compliance issues are identified.
• Conduct compliance monitoring of IEP timelines, evaluation processes, eligibility documentation, and service delivery.

2. Evaluation, Eligibility, and IEP Process Compliance

• Oversee district compliance with timelines and requirements for:
• Child find activities and referrals
• Initial evaluations and re-evaluations
• Eligibility determinations and documentation
• Parent notification and procedural safeguards
• Present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP)
• Measurable annual goals
• Required components (e.g., supplementary aids/services, accommodations, supports)
• Support IEP implementation compliance by ensuring services, supports, and related services are documented and delivered as written.

3. Procedural Safeguards, Due Process, and Dispute Resolution Support

• Ensure procedural safeguards notice requirements are met and properly documented.
• Support the Special Education Director in preparation for:
• State/district complaint responses
• Due process hearing activity coordination (as assigned)
• Resolution meetings and corrective actions
• Maintain documentation standards that are defensible during compliance reviews and disputes.
• Track resolution timelines, required corrective action steps, and compliance verification outcomes.

4. Special Education Discipline Compliance (IDEA/Lawful Authority & Manifestation)

• Ensure the district follows IDEA discipline requirements for students with disabilities, including:
• Determination of removals/placement changes
• Manifestation review procedures (when applicable)
• Functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and behavior intervention plan (BIP) requirements
• Review discipline decision documentation to ensure appropriate legal basis and required team processes are present.
• Train and provide guidance to administrators and staff to reduce non-compliance risk.

5. State Reporting, Data Quality, and Audit Readiness

• Ensure accurate completion and submission of required special education data/reporting to MDE and other applicable reporting systems.
• Conduct regular internal audits of:
• Student-level compliance artifacts (notices, timelines, IEP documents, eligibility files)
• Data integrity and consistency across systems
• Maintain compliance files and evidence repositories (policies, procedures, monitoring results, corrective actions).
• Support preparation for MDE monitoring reviews, desk audits, and other compliance evaluations.

Additional Compliance & Operational Responsibilities

6. Collaboration, Technical Assistance, and Professional Learning

• Provide targeted technical assistance to school teams on Michigan compliance requirements and IDEA best practices.
• Develop and deliver staff training or updates on compliance topics, including:
• IEP documentation requirements
• Timelines and evaluation processes
• Parent notice and procedural safeguards
• Discipline compliance procedures
• Support principals and case managers with templates, checklists, and process tools.
• Partner with the Director to standardize district procedures across schools and programs.

7. Medicaid / Billing Compliance Coordination

• Coordinate with finance, health services, and special education staff to support compliance with Medicaid documentation requirements related to allowable services (as assigned by district procedures).
• Ensure appropriate documentation exists to support claims and required service verification.

8. Inclusive Practices and LRE Support

• Support district efforts to ensure students with disabilities are educated in the least restrictive environment consistent with IEP requirements.
• Review placement decisions for compliance with LRE principles and IEP-based justification.
• Assist with training and monitoring that supports inclusion and successful delivery of supports in general education settings.

Compliance Scope (What This Position Owns/Tracks)

9. District Compliance Areas

• Child Find & Referral Processes: monitoring referrals, screening pathways, and response to parent requests.
• Evaluation & Eligibility: timelines, multi-disciplinary requirements, testing standards, eligibility documentation.
• IEP Development & Implementation: required components, measurable goals, services, accommodations/modifications.
• Progress Monitoring: alignment of data collection to goals and reporting expectations.
• Procedural Safeguards & Notices: required notices, timelines, and documentation.
• Discipline: manifestation procedures, BIPs/FBA compliance where required.
• Transition Compliance: transition planning requirements aligned to IEP timelines (and graduation/exit requirements).
• Recordkeeping: compliance-ready documentation for each student file.
• State Reporting & Monitoring Readiness: data accuracy, evidence organization, corrective action tracking.
• Written compliance monitoring reports (findings, risk rating, and next steps).
• Corrective action plans (CAPs) with measurable milestones and compliance verification.
• District training materials, checklists, and process guides.
• Updated compliance calendars (timelines and recurring monitoring cycles).
• Audit-ready student documentation guidance and evidence organization procedures.

Working Relationships

11. Internal & External Stakeholders

• Collaborates with:
• Special Education Director
• Building administrators and case managers
• School psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational/physical therapists, behavior staff
• General education teachers and MTSS teams
• Transportation, health services, and student support teams
• Coordinates with, as applicable:
• MDE/ISD compliance contacts
• Parent/guardian stakeholders during required processes
• Agencies involved in evaluations/services (as assigned)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required (Master's preferred) in special education, education leadership, school psychology, counseling, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• IDEA and federal special education compliance
• Michigan special education rules and MDE expectations
• Experience working with special education compliance, IEP processes, and/or due process support.
• Strong familiarity with IEP documentation requirements, procedural safeguards, evaluation/eligibility processes, and discipline requirements.

13. Licensure/Certification

• Michigan special education endorsement and/or relevant licensure (preferred or required—confirm).
• Any required certifications for supporting special education compliance roles under district practice.

Preferred Qualifications

14. Additional Strengths

• Experience conducting compliance audits/monitoring or supporting MDE review preparation.
• Experience creating training programs and process improvements for staff.
• Proficiency with student information systems and reporting tools used for special education data.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Legal & compliance knowledge: IDEA and Michigan special education compliance processes.
• Detail-oriented documentation: ability to identify missing elements, timeline violations, and risk indicators.
• Case-file analysis: ability to review student records accurately and consistently.
• Project management: ability to manage multiple CAPs, timelines, and evidence collection efforts.
• Communication: professional, clear communication with families and staff; ability to explain requirements without legal language confusion.

Postings current as of 9/2/2026 1:57:31 PM CST.