Compliance Officer, Special Education

Reports To: Deputy, Specialized Services

Department: Office of Special Education and Diverse Learners

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 200,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?

Job Summary

Ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state regulations pertaining to the education of students with disabilities. Participates in the development, implementation and enforcement of an effective compliance program to better serve student improved outcomes. Provides oversight to ensure efficient operations. Generates reports and provides feedback when requested by senior management and external stakeholders. Assists in the implementation of action plans and programmatic activities that address compliance issues.

Essential Functions

Monitors compliance of the educational services and supports provided for special education students in the Office of Special Education and Diverse Learners; audits the key administrative and fiscal programs and ensures adherence to all guidelines, legal mandates and policies governing equal access to educational opportunities for all students. Informs and advises senior management of the conditions and status of services provided by the Office of Special Education and Diverse Learners; designs and implements systems used to gather, analyze, and evaluate compliance information at both the school and central office levels. Develops an effective system of action plans in response to the assessment of compliance risk; corrects deficiencies, identifies the cause of compliance exceptions and develops corrective actions. Develops risk management strategies and processes. Assists with implementing regulatory changes into business operations in a timely and cost-effective manner. Provides recommendations for training and retraining; devises a schedule for maintaining high levels of compliance. Coordinates rollout and training of new or updated policies and directives to ensure all employees are educated on the latest regulations and processes when required. Researches local ordinances and stays up-to-date in legal matters pertaining to compliance and auditing. Reads and interprets new local and national laws to discern where they apply to the Office of Special Education and Diverse Learners compliance activities; identifies potential compliance issues and makes recommendations. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Four years of full-time, paid, professional administrative experience in a large organization that has involved working with issues related to educational mandates and equity and has involved collecting and analyzing data and addressing compliance issues.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Six years of full-time, paid, professional administrative experience in a large organization that has involved working with issues related to educational mandates and equity and has involved collecting and analyzing data and addressing compliance issues.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the current theories and practices designed to promote equity for all students.

• federal, state, and local regulations and policies that govern the education of students with disabilities.

• research methods and data analysis.

• strategies to implement programmatic activities designed to address compliance issues.

Demonstrated ability to:

• manage several complex projects simultaneously.

• meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced and demanding work environment.

• analyze and resolve complex problems.

• interpret, apply, and explain policies, procedures, regulations and legislative mandates.

• maintain necessary records and files, compile information and prepare reports.

• train various levels of personnel.

• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.