Utah Dispute Resolution Specialist Job Opportunity

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) is seeking a Special Education Dispute Resolution Specialist.  This is a vital position in the special education section of the USBE which manages the federally and state mandated dispute resolution process, including due process hearings, State complaints, mediations and IEP facilitations.  It is a licensed-level job reporting to an Educational Coordinator whose incumbents implement special education policy at the Utah State Board of Education. Specialists are part of the special education team and implement section and USBE policies and programs aimed at improving the compliance and quality of education in special education programs of the State. 

Principal Duties
The Special Education Dispute Resolution Specialist:

• Implements, new and/or changes to existing, policies and procedures, laws or regulations
• Accepts requests from LEAs staff, parents and community members to access special education dispute resolution options
• Assigns hearing officers, complaint investigators, mediators and IEP facilitators and ensures they provide assigned services within applicable timelines
• Ensures corrective action from due process and complaint findings is provided in a timely and adequate manner
• Provides LEAs staff, parents and community members with technical assistance about special education legal requirements and best practices, when applicable
• Collaborates with other State agencies to ensure the rights of students with disabilities are provided for
• Provides professional learning (largely related to required corrective action) to LEA staff and other stakeholders regarding the compliant implementation of the special education program
• Writes or drafts technical reports, articles or related material based on legal information, research, and best practice
• Organizes meetings, conferences, or workshops
• Collaborates with other USBE specialists to accomplish agency goals
• Collaborates with and provide technical assistance with the Utah Parent Center and private parent consultants
• Performs other tasks as assigned

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for this position has:

• at least three years of special education compliance monitoring experience
• experience providing special education dispute resolution services
• a minimum of a BA/BS Degree in Special Education or a related field of study or a Juris Doctorate
• a current USBE Educator License or eligibility to apply for one or Juris Doctorate
• extensive knowledge of special education laws, and compliance procedures

Why You Should Join Our Team
This is an exciting opportunity to join the USBE Special Education section which is a high functioning, highly motivated collaborative team focusing on improving outcomes for students with disabilities.  The Special Education section has a compliance monitoring team to collaborate with and support this position as well as a Student Support section to ensure dispute resolution is aligned with program implementation and improvement work.  Additionally, the State of Utah offers a generous benefits package including a pension, leave and health, dental and life insurance.  Click here for more information about the benefits offered.

The Agency
Click here for more information about the Utah State Board of Education