POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Associate Superintendent for Special
Education, the Special Education Compliance Liaison performs highly critical
work related to compliance with federal, state, and local mandates governing
special education services. The incumbent of this position will provide counsel
and guidance to the Associate Superintendent of Special Education on complaints
filed with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) or the Office of
Civil Rights (OCR), as well as counsel and guidance to principals and school
teams who are involved in disputes with parents/guardians of students with
disabilities. The Special Education Compliance Liaison is charged with highly
sensitive work that requires working closely with the Office of General Counsel
and sound and independent judgment, because of the legal ramifications for the
school system.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Collaborates
with the Associate Superintendent and Instructional Supervisor of Compliance regarding
the coordination and management of all activities related to MSDE complaints,
requests for mediation, hearing and resolution meetings; Office for Civil
Rights requests, and Section 504 Appeals;
Serves
as the liaison for all state and federal monitoring and evaluationactivities;
Coordinates
activities related to periodic updates of the Special Education Process Guide,
training materials and supplemental appendix documents and forms;
Develops
and revises Prince George’s County Public Administrative Procedures related to
special education policies and procedures;
Monitors
State Performance Plan (SPP) indicators data and collaborates with Department
of Special Education to develop required improvement plans, including support
for implementation;
Reviews
legislation and provides input into recommended changes for Prince George’s
County Public Schools’ policies and regulations, as well as responses to
proposed legislation;
Identifies
compliance related risks by making appropriate policy recommendations, where
necessary;
Coordinates
monthly Individualized Education Program (IEP) audits to ensure compliance with
federal, state and district special education policies and procedures;
Prepares
compliance reports using data collection, analysis and interpretation, as well
as narrative summaries;
Develops
and maintains operational work plans for the implementation of work related to
compliance activities, including progress report activities;
Conducts professional learning sessions to ensure administrators and
teachers are trained on current legal requirements and mandates to fulfill
IDEA, and Section 504 regulations;
Apprises, discusses and obtains legal opinion when necessary with the
PGCPS General Counsel Office on all policy decisions, preparation of reports or
documents when inquiries are received from various stakeholders;
Ensures the district’s compliance with
IDEA, COMAR and Section 504 by interpreting special education regulations,
policies and procedures;
Ensures the implementation of the
Procedural Safeguards Document to protect the rights of parents, guardians and
surrogates;
Carries out supervisory responsibilities
in accordance with organization’s policies and applicable laws, which include conducting
interviews, making hiring recommendations, staff development, staff
supervision, performance evaluation, complaint resolution and problem solving;
Assists
Deputy General Counsel in identifying potential witnesses for due process
hearings; and
Performs
other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and
local special education laws, policies andprocedures;
Extensive experience in mediation, due process and court
proceedings related to disputes involving special education matters;
Ability to train, deliver information and provide counsel
and guidance;
Demonstrated ability to plan, supervise and review the work of others
in a manner conducive to efficient operations and developing a high performing
workforce;
Ability to multitask, organize and
prioritize within a fast paced, rigorous environment;
Excellent ability to think and act both
strategically and tactically; an intelligent decision-maker and problem-solver
with sound judgment;
Superior written and oral communication
skills and ability to intuitively present and document ideas and concepts to
staff, management and stakeholders at all levels;
Demonstrated competence in the ability
to provide timely and accurate information needed to inform executive
decisions;
Computer proficiency with primary emphasis on office organizational
tools (intranet/internet; e-mail, task tracking, and calendar functions),
spreadsheets, databases, and word processing (Microsoft Office product suite).
Ability to work independently and to exercise initiative
in carrying out program duties and responsibilities; and
Excellent human relations, oral and written communicationskills required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s degree required; Juris Doctorate from an accredited law
school preferred. Minimum of three (3) years
of progressive experience in one or more of the following areas: public school
legal issues pertaining to state and federal special education regulations, special
education dispute resolution functions in a large school system or public
sector organization.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
None Required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversees and provides guidance and
direction to assigned staff.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.