Job Description

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth is seeking an Education Program Specialist to work in its Preschool Special Education section in Franklin County. The successful candidate will have experience analyzing and interpreting educated-related data, working with students with disabilities as well as their families, and/or working with school administrators. This position will provide the opportunity to improve the educational results and functional outcomes for young children with disabilities.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

As part of Ohio’s system of general supervision, monitors the implementation of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 by educational agencies, focusing on the provision of special education and related services for preschool children ages three through five ensuring access to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. In addition, provides guidance and technical support to educational agencies, parents, family members, advocates and state and local organizations regarding topics specific to preschool special education. Also, serves as a resource for policy development and implementation to ensure IDEA requirements are executed at the state and local levels.

Monitoring duties include:

• Examining the local educational agency’s policies, procedures and evidence of implementation using a differentiated monitoring process.
• Reviewing the state’s educational data to verify and track local educational agencies’ compliance and performance with individualized education program (IEP), evaluation, and reevaluation timelines, child outcomes, least restrictive environment and transition from IDEA Part C (Early Intervention) to IDEA Part B (Preschool Special Education).
• Approving and tracking corrective actions that result from the monitoring process, and ensuring timely correction within required federal timelines.
• Collaborating with the Department of Education and Workforce to verify, analyze and prepare the state education data to meet both state and federal reporting requirements (e.g., the Special Education Profile, Annual Performance Report/State Performance Plan, Special Education Ratings).

Technical assistance duties include:

• Providing early resolution strategies to parents, families, educators and administrators regarding IDEA Part B compliance concerns.
• Provides guidance to state support teams, local educational agencies, educational service centers, county boards of developmental disabilities, families, advocates and state and local organizations that support and/or serve young children with disabilities and their families.
• Provides targeted technical assistance, professional development and coaching on preschool special education topics for preschool special education professionals, which includes:
  • Planning, scheduling and coordinating professional development opportunities, both synchronous and asynchronous.
  • Directing, coordinating and providing training for regional professional development providers (i.e., state support teams) and/or education agencies.
• Collaborating with the Department of Education and Workforce to provide technical assistance, develop training, and review and revise the Education Management Information System (EMIS) Manual to support educational agencies in reporting data related to the education of children with disabilities.

Policy duties include:

• Coordinating with state and local agencies responsible for the birth through age 21 special education system in accordance with the regulations for IDEA Part B.
• Collaborating with the Department of Education and Workforce to produce policy and procedural guidance, communications, tools and resources specific for the preschool special education professionals.
• Collaborating with the Department of Education and Workforce in reviewing and facilitating changes to statutes and regulations for the Education of Students with Special Needs (i.e., Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3301-51).

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

• Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Completion of a master’s degree in one of the following content areas which must include a focus, concentration, or certification in special education (i.e., early childhood education, elementary education, child development, special education, family studies, curriculum and instruction, education administration/leadership, public policy, psychology, assessment and evaluation); and 3 years of experience in one of the following:

• Working with young children with disabilities in one of the following capacities (i.e., teacher, administrator, professional development provider, monitoring, licensing, technical assistance provider, family and community engagement provider, teacher mentor, related services provider).
• Providing support and/or services to those who work with young children with disabilities working in one of the following capacities (i.e., teacher, administrator, professional development provider, monitoring, licensing, technical assistance provider, family and community engagement provider, teacher mentor, related services provider).

Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be the minimum salary of the salary range E3 (step 1, currently $32.80 per hour) associated with this position.

All answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education provided on your civil service application. Attachments will not be considered as part of your application.

Proficiency Instruments/Assessments may be required for this position; Applicant must demonstrate proficiency with a passing score to move on to the structured interview portion. Regardless of a passing or failing score, all results will be maintained for 6 months. Applicant with a passing score will be retained and utilized this 6-month period. Applicant with a failing score in the same classification may not re-take the same selection assessment for this 6-month period.

Travel required, as needed. Must provide own transportation or, in order to operate a state vehicle, you must have a valid driver’s license.

Background Check Information

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Status of posted positions

You can check the status of your application online be signing into your profile and clicking the “My Jobpage” tab to view completed submissions and submission details. If you have questions other than your applications status, please direct them to DCY.HumanResources@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov .

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

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