Dispute Resolution Mediation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Title:IDEA Resolution Specialist

Classification: Education Specialist 2

Salary:$7,247 - $11,140 ($7,751 - $11,913 PERS)

Type:Two positions available.

Position 1: LimitedDuration ending:05/06/2028, Full-time, Exempt.

Position 2:Permanent,Full-time, Exempt.

We are seekingtwoIDEA Resolution Specialiststo join ourOffice of Enhancing Student Opportunitiesat theOregon Department of Education.Oneis alimited durationpositionending: 05/06/2028. The other is a Permanent position. Both positions arerepresented by theService Employees International Union (SEIU).

Thesepositionsfollowa hybrid work model. Onsite presence will berequiredwhen business or operational needs are best supported in person, such as collaboration, training, or work that requires access to onsite resources. Employees approved to work remotely must have a reliable and secure internet connection andmaintaina professional work environment that supports productivity. While working remotely, employees are expected tomaintainthe same level of performance, responsiveness, communication, and availability as they wouldinthe office.

What you will do!

The primary purpose ofthesepositionsareto ensure that state and federal requirements related to the education of children with disabilities are carried out in a manner that supports strong instructional practice, effective program implementation, and improvedoutcomes for students. The position works closely with education service districts, local school districts, parents, contractinvestigators, the Oregon Department of Justice, Administrative Law Judges, the Office of Administrative Hearings, DisabilityRights Oregon, the Oregon Law Center, and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The position has primaryresponsibility for the Dispute Resolution Committee, a statewide stakeholder group familiar with special education disputeresolution, andfacilitatesthe internal Dispute Resolution Team to support consistent, student-centered decision making.

Typical duties include:

• Oversee the IDEA dispute resolution system and ensure legal compliance.Coordinate complaint investigations under IDEA Parts B and C, review contracted investigators' findings for thoroughness and legal sufficiency, write and edit complaint orders for the Assistant Superintendent's issuance, ensure mediation and due process processes meet federal andstaterequirements, and lead the Dispute Resolution Committee. This is the core of the role atroughly 45 percentof the work.

• Serve as the subject matter expert and provide authoritative consultation.Advise ODE staff, districts, investigators, families, and partners on IDEA, Oregon Special Education Rules, Section 504, ADA, and related civil rights requirements, including where those frameworks intersect, and help districts navigate questions involving eligibility, discipline, and allegations of discrimination or bullying. This is the role's second major duty atroughly 20 percent.

• Provide district support, technicalassistance, and corrective action follow-through.Act as the primary communication point between complainants and districts throughout the complaint process, and work directly with district administrators after substantiated findings to ensure corrective action is understood, implemented, andmonitoredto support FAPE.

• Train, support, and build the capacity of contracted complaint investigators.Provide ongoing training and direct support to the contracted investigators, review and give feedback on their draft orders, and drive continuous improvement in the quality, consistency, and legal sufficiency of their investigations and final orders.

Please click here to view the full position descriptionfor the Permanent Position

Please click here to view the full positions description for the Limited Duration Position

If you would like toretaina copy of this job post or the PD linked above, please print a copy beforesubmittingyour application.Once the job posting has closed, you will not be able to access the posting.

Minimum Qualifications:ODE reviewsresumestodeterminewhether applicants meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Please ensure your resume clearly reflects your relevant experience, as it will be used in place of detailed Workday work history for this agency-specific recruitment.

Master's degree in Educationor related field from an accredited college or university and five years of education experience in the specialty area under recruitment (e.g., classroom teacher, counselor, itinerant service provider), two years of which includes leadership experience (e.g., lead teacher, program coordinator or director, school administrator) in the specialty area under recruitment.
A Doctorate in Education or related field from an accredited university may substitute for two years ofthe educationexperience, but not for the two years of leadership experience.
An Oregon Standard Administrative License (issued by Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission) may substitute for the two years of leadership experience.

Preferred Skills & Knowledge (Desired Attributes):A cover letter isrequiredand is an important part of the application process. All application materials are reviewed by Human Resources, the Hiring Manager, and panel members throughout the recruitment process. Your cover letter is a key opportunity to speak directly to each decision-maker, highlight your skills and experience, anddemonstratehow your qualifications align with the desired attributes for this role.Cover letter must be no more than two pages.

• Knowledge of IDEA, Special Education Law, and Dispute Resolution Processes Demonstrates working knowledge of IDEA Parts B and C, OAR 581 Division 15, ORS 343, and related state and federal regulations Understands the legal framework governing state complaint processes, due process hearings, mediation, and resolution sessions Able to connect legal requirements to instructional practice and program implementation for students with disabilities.

• Legal Analysis, Writing, and Case Management Demonstrates ability to review investigation findings for legal sufficiency, accuracy, and alignment with federal and state requirements Has experience drafting or editing formal legal documents such as complaint orders, findings of fact, or corrective action plans Able to manage multiple cases simultaneously using tracking and documentation systems to ensure timely resolution.

• Consultation and Subject Matter Expertise Able to serve as a subject matter expert on IDEA, Section 504, the ADA, and related civil rights requirements for internal staff, districts, families, and external partners Provides authoritative, accessible guidance that connects legal requirements to real-world program and instructional decisions Skilled at advising stakeholders on procedural safeguards, student rights, and district obligations in a student-centeredmanner.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-Agency Collaboration Demonstrates ability to work effectively with a broad range of partners including ESDs, LEAs, the Oregon Department of Justice, the Office of Administrative Hearings, Disability Rights Oregon, and OSEP Has experience facilitating committees, work groups, or stakeholder processes that require building consensus among parties with differing interests Able to manage relationships with contracted investigators and external legal or advocacy entities.

• Data Analysis, Trend Identification, and Policy Contribution Able toanalyzedispute resolution and compliance data to identify statewide trends and inform policy or practice adjustments Supports the development and accuracy of SPP/APR indicators 16 through 19 Uses evidence and performance data to recommend policy adjustments and contribute to administrative rule development.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply, even if youdon'tmeet every one of the attributes listed.

Our Agency Mission and Office Culture:

TheOregon Department of Education's(ODE's) mission is to foster equity and excellence for every learner through collaboration with educators, partners, and communities. In fulfilling itsmission, ODE has the vision to ensure all students have access to and benefit from a world-class, well-rounded, andequitableeducation system.

The Office of Enhancing Student Opportunities (OESO) contributes directly to ODE's mission by ensuring the implementation of multiple federal programs and Oregon's System of General Supervision for students from birth to age 21. The officeis responsible forimplementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and multiple titles of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), including Title I-A, Title II-A, Title IV-A, and Title V-B. The purpose of this office is to provide leadership,technicalassistance, andmonitoringto ensure districts can meet state and federal obligations, improve student outcomes, and fosterequitableand inclusive learning environments.

The scope of OESO is extensive,impactingevery school district and education service district in the state. The office includes approximately 60 staffand alsooversees the Oregon School for the Deaf, which employs anadditionalapproximately 80 staff.

Keyprograms and initiatives within OESO include:

Federal Systems: Overseeing ESEA Title programs, managing theconsolidatedgrant application process, and responding to federal

educationinitiatives.

IDEA Programs and Inclusive Services: Implementing Oregon's System of General Supervision for students with disabilities

through early intervention/early childhood special education (EI/ECSE), Regional Inclusive Services (RIS) forlow-incidence

disabilities, and PreK-3rd Grade coordination.

Statewide Improvement Initiatives: Leading efforts in early language and literacy intervention, strengthening the statewidemonitoring framework, and providing oversight for Abbreviated School Day Programs.

The work of OESO directly affects local school districts, education service districts, public preschool programs, professional associations, families, and the educators and students served by federal programs and special education services across Oregon.

Oregon Stateprovidesamazing benefits! Follow the link below to learn more:

Oregon JobOpportunities :Benefits :State of Oregon

ApplicationResources & Information:

• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers(current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference.For more information, please visitVeterans Resources.Be sure tosubmityour documentation prior to the close date of this postingtohave the preference considered.

• Your application materials will be used todeterminesalary based on a pay equity assessment. For further information, please visit thePay Equity Projecthomepage.

• The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT) on the close date.After yousubmityour application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans' preferenceimmediatelyfollowing your submission. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.

• Please contactode.jobs@ode.oregon.govif you have any questions on the application processor need an accommodation under theAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA).Please be sure to include the job requisition number.

• Oregon Job Opportunities: How to Apply (Internal & External)

• Understanding the State Application Process

• Resources for Job Seekers

Additional Information:

• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate isPERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect anadditional6.95%.

• Review theClassification and Compensationpage for more details on the classification, or you may visit our website for information on the job offer process followingpay equity.

• Future Vacancies:This recruitment announcement will be used toestablisha list of qualified candidates to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

• Visa Sponsorship:The Oregon Department of Education does not offer visa sponsorship.Applicants mustbe authorized towork in the United States.Applicants who require VISA sponsorship will not be considered at this time.

The Department of Education is an equalemploymentopportunity&affirmativeaction employer committed to a diverse workforce.The Department strives to create an inclusiveenvironment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply, even if youdon'tmeet every one of our qualifications listed.If you are unsure whether you meet t...