Special Education Compliance Auditor

THE OPPORTUNITY :

Job Description Summary

Location : Administration or As Assigned

Reports to : Director, Special Education Compliance

FLSA Status : Exempt

Salary Band : 12

Compensation : $ 45,900. - $ 64,260.

The SPECIAL EDUCATION COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST will report to the Director of Special Education Compliance. The mission of Special Education and Intervention Services in CMSD is to ensure that inclusive, learner-centered services and supports are provided to all children with special needs and their families, in every school, so that all students graduate from high school prepared for college, careers, and fulfilling independent lives.

Students with special needs are entitled to high-quality Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that not only meet federal and state compliance requirements, but also serve as a commitment to each scholar of a free, appropriate public education with the right services and supports to achieve rigorous educational goals.

The SPECIAL EDUCATION COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST, also known as an IEP Auditor, will work closely with the Building Principals, Intervention Specialists, Related Service Providers and Program Managers within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

The SPECIAL EDUCATION COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST is accountable for monitoring the completion and compliance of special education documents (IEPs, Progress Reports, Discipline Documentation, etc.

for students with disabilities, providing assistance to Principals and School staff on the completion of special education paperwork, and for carrying out the work with a sense of urgency for overall school improvement.

The SPECIAL EDUCATION COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST is a key figure in supporting the Department’s goals to promote student academic achievement.

He or she must have solid project management and strong technical experience with demonstrated follow through skills and a strong desire to provide excellent customer services under tight timelines.

Responsibilities

• Check the reliability, validity, and accuracy of data submitted by school staff through required special education documentation and the District-approved Student Information Systems
• Monitor the completion of special education documentation, including but not limited to IEPs, Progress Reports, Manifestation Determinations, and Behavior Intervention Plans
• Ensure that schools meet federal timelines for completion of these documents
• Utilize District-approved Compliance Audit Rubrics to provide feedback to IEP teams, specifically Intervention Specialists / Case Managers, regarding the content of IEPs and other special education documentation
• Follow up on any changes that are required by IEP teams in order to ensure compliant IEPs for every scholar
• Respond promptly to inquiries from Principals, Intervention Specialists and Related Service Providers regarding document compliance
• Work with the compliance requirements from the Ohio Department of Education as they change, and adjust approach accordingly
• Share information with schools on IEP development and completion as reported through District-approved Student Information Systems
• Verify EMIS data in the District system for accurate submission to the Ohio Department of Education
• Gather information and documents as requested during annual review periods; ensure that original documents are submitted for archiving
• Work collaboratively with Special Education Program Managers on issues related to compliance with federal and state laws and regulations for special education
• Assist with Departmental initiatives
• Serve as a liaison between schools and district
• Assist with the Departmental and Building level Professional Development and other events
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• 3+ years successful project management experience
• Special Education experience preferred but not required
• College degree preferred
• High expectations and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty for CMSD children
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Excellent customer service skills, tact and good verbal communication
• Ability to manage time independently to complete all assigned work
• Demonstrated organizational skills, motivation, exceptional, resourcefulness, willingness to work flexibly, and cooperatively as member of a team
• Capable of handling challenging situations and people, with high tolerance for ambiguity and the ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive district, school or personnel matters

Working Conditions / Physical Demands

• Expected moving, walking and standing consistent with an office environment and occasionally lifting up to 15 pounds
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel;

and reach with hands and arms

• The employee is frequently required to talk and / or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a normal office environment
• Local travel may be required for training / meetings

Education