Exceptional Student Education Compliance Specialist (41 Weeks)

Job Title

Position Title: Exceptional Student Education Compliance Specialist (41 Weeks)

Location: Central Office

Salary: DFT Salary Schedule ($55,000 - $94,000)

Reports to: Director of Exceptional Student Education Compliance Department or Designee

Bargaining Unit: DFT

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: Not eligible for telecommuting

In accordance with the Agreement between Detroit Federation of Teachers and the Board of Education of the School District of the City of Detroit, the following vacancy is announced.

Position Summary:

The ESE Compliance Specialist is a member of the ESE Compliance team that provides support to school-based and Central Office staff via professional development, data reviews and reporting of data, compliance monitoring at the federal, state and local levels, and coaching. The ESE Compliance Specialist plays an integral role in the development and implementation of the processes and procedures impacting the Office of Exceptional Student Education. Additionally, the ESE Compliance Specialist participates in the investigation and monitoring of records to ensure consistent and ongoing compliance with federal, state and district mandates.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess and provide evidence of a master's degree in the field of Special Education or a related field of study.

• Must possess a valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with a minimum of one special education endorsement of certification/licensure in a related special education field of service (e.g., School Social Worker, School Psychologist, Speech and Language Pathologist)

• Must have a minimum of five (5) years of successful certified teaching experience, three (3) of which must be in the special education program or five (5) years successful experience in a special education related service field.

• Possess solid understanding of the current Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) and how these state rules are implemented within a local school district.

• Possess a heightened understanding of procedural safeguards, District procedures, due process and state complaint procedures as related to ESE compliance.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficient skills in student centered problem-solving, with a focus on positive resolution for all parties.

• Field experience in gathering, analyzing, and reporting of data for the purpose of dispute resolutions, student-centered problem solving, and the evaluation of programming and procedures.

• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of the ESE Compliance team, District personnel, and all community stakeholders.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as a liaison for completion and implementation of IEP's, due process rights of Special Education students and related procedures.

• Develop various modes of professional development opportunities such as online, in-person or blended learning modules based on trends in data and staff needs.

• Establish a consistent cadence to review and analyze ESE data to determine and address trends to support updated written process, procedures, and trainings:

• Provide district-level support to building-level IEP teams¿in coordinating school-based implementation of the IEPs.

• Review IEP team decisions and historical district trends to consider the alignment with best practice for the implementation of FAPE in the least restrictive environment and provide recommendations for supporting and/or developing process and procedures to ensure District and state guidelines are maintained.

• Provide professional development through group training and individual support at the building and Central-Office levels.

• Monitor meetings addressing students with or suspected of having a disability (e.g., IEPT meetings, MDR meetings) to ensure the schools adhere to all compliance-related mandates and policies.

• Electronic and manual monitoring to ensure required records and compliance are maintained at both central and building levels.

• Provide support and follow-up communication related to the implementation of the IEP, the provision of FAPE, and procedures related to compliance as directed by the District, county, state, or federal offices.

• Provide assistance to ESE Supervisors as assigned and Director of Compliance and Placement, as it relates to District compliance reports, mediations and due process hearings

• Serve as a coach for ESE lead teachers and other District staff at the building and Central office levels.

• Maintain solid working knowledge of federal, state, and local compliance updates affecting the delivery of serving students identified with a disability or students suspected of having a disability.

• Provide guidance and assistance to ESE leadership as it relates to all components of special education compliance, the implementation of best practice procedures, and mediations and due process hearings.

• Generate weekly/monthly/quarterly compliance reports for building level personnel and District administration as directed by the Director of Compliance or designee.

• Perform other tasks and assume the responsibilities as assigned.

Security Clearance:

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method of Application:

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.

DPSCD does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org/compliance.