Job Description

Purpose of Position/Summary:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that the state education agency (SEA) have a state complaint system in place as part of the SEA’s federally mandated general supervision requirement. The Dispute Resolution Team within the Office of Student, Community, and Academic Supports within the Rhode Island Department of Education, is responsible for ensuring that parents, schools, and interested parties are provided with the full range of special education dispute resolution options required by the IDEA.

The complaint investigator is responsible for : (1) Investigating special education written state complaints; (2) preparing complaint reports and drafting findings letters; (3) assisting in the development of dispute resolution materials, (4) revision of policies and procedures to ensure that special education dispute resolution procedures for public schools, parents, and the department of education are consistent with federal and state regulations; and (5) facilitating the call center, logging calls, determining patterns/trends, and determining the appropriate follow-up.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

The position encompasses, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Processes state complaint, mediation, and due process requests
• Assists with the implementation of the dispute resolution system, the development of necessary processes and procedures for investigating complaints, maintenance of documentation necessary for federal compliance, and other administrative functions necessary to carry out the state and federal requirements
• Reviews and analyzes special education state complaints and collaborates with a team to determine potential violations of federal and state special education laws and regulations
• Investigates complaints filed with the Department alleging violations of the requirements of the IDEA
• As part of the investigation process, reviews and analyzes evidence, contacts both complainant and the local education agency, develops “requests for information”, and completes investigation reports following the standard language and procedures which include specific statements, findings of fact, conclusions, and corrective actions specific to each allegation within the required timelines
• Prepares thorough, accurate, and timely complaint investigation reports
• Monitors public, charter and state operated school and non-public special education schools for compliance with corrective action orders resulting from complaint investigations and for compliance with hearing decisions
• Assists and collaborates on the development of written policies and procedures for complaint investigations, mediations, and due process hearings
• Maintains a database and tracking system of special education complaints, mediations, and due process hearings
• Provides parents, caregivers, LEAs and other stakeholders with the information and assistance they need to access and understand their dispute resolution options
• Promptly responds to and communicates via phone, email, and in writing ensuring that members of the public reaching the RIDE Special Education Call Center experience is timely, positive and helpful support
• Promptly completes call logs with accurate caller information
• Provides support to Department staff in preparation of materials or activities related to the Federal Office of Special education Programs (OSEP) pre-site and on-site compliance reviews and follow-up activities
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or higher in special education or a pupil personnel services area, a Master’s degree in school administration plus two years’ experience in Special Education Administration, or a Bachelor’s degree in special education plus two years of relevant professional experience. Applicants may be considered who have a substantially equivalent combination of education and experience to the above
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations regarding students with disabilities
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to interpret stakeholder needs accurately
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong critical thinking skills and an initiative-taking approach
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
• Maintain confidentiality of information or material appropriate to position
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the public
• Ability to establish priorities and work sequences to coordinate efforts, maintain workflow and meet deadlines
• Ability to recognize and define problems; obtain and analyze facts, use resources and techniques to develop sound solutions

West Bay Collaborative is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer