Office for Dispute Resolution Director

This is a full time exempt position following a 12-month 260-day schedule. Although the position offers the opportunity to telework from home occasional in-person attendance for in-person visits to clients meetings and trainings in Pennsylvania will be required. Transportation to the CSIU Main Office the Center for Schools and Communities or to any required on-site locations is the employees responsibility. Certain requirements based upon CSIU telework policy and administrative regulations must be met. The CSIU has the right to cancel or suspend the employee teleworking privileges at any time for any or no reason due to the requirement of the CSIU and client needs.

JOB ASSIGNMENT: Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR)

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP: The Office of Dispute Resolution Director reports to the Chief Programs Officer (CPO) and in their absence to the Executive Director.

JOB DEFINITION: The Office of Dispute Resolution Director directs the statewide special education mediation and litigation systems on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Educations Bureau of Special Education and the Pennsylvania Department of Human addition to overseeing the federally-mandated mediation and due process systems the director oversees the offices provision of early dispute resolution services to constituents through awareness activities trainings and presentations and distribution of materials and is responsible for the supervision of all Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Administer and supervise the Office for Dispute Resolution which includes mediation due process hearings early dispute resolution system ConsultLine and other related systems.
2. Administer and oversee the independent contracts under which services are provided to the Office for Dispute Resolution.
3. Direct and supervise overall data collection systems to provide appropriate information as requested by Pennsylvania Department of Education and other agencies and to ensure appropriate privacy of data and records.
4. Establish staff development programs to support and coordinate with project goals and activities.
5. Monitor supervise and evaluate staff performance in accordance with CSIU policies and procedures.
6. Conduct needs assessment to determine needs establish priorities and procedures for efficient operation.
7. Develop systems and procedures designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the project.
8. In coordination with the CSIU business office establish and implement procedures for project use of allocated state and federal funds to maximize program outcomes.
9. Serve as liaison with Pennsylvania Department of Education to establish program goals maintain communication and coordination.
10. In accordance with CSIU policies and the CSIU business office develop and administer the budget to ensure fiscal responsibility.
11. Provide technical assistance to independent contractors upon request and design trainings for independent contractors providing services to Office for Dispute Resolution

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Perform other related duties and non-programmatic specified duties as assigned.

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school and admission to the Pennsylvania Bar is required.
• Minimum of ten years in law in the private or public sector with specific experience in education law policy and administrative due process hearings is required.
• Specific knowledge of and interest in special education law is required. Special education certification preferred.
• Background in education administration preferred.
• Supervisory experience is required.
• Excellent verbal and spoken communication skills including public speaking ability and experience with the ability to communicate and work effectively with colleagues co-workers community agency personnel and students/trainees.
• Excellent critical and analytical thinking skills.
• Understanding of adult theories of learning and organizational training including experience in development training.
• Excellent writing skills including experience in writing for professional publications including resource and research articles grants web newsletters and correspondence.
• Ability to prioritize organize and manage multiple activities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues and clients both internal and external.
• Requires the ability to develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships using tact and diplomacy and to remain calm in unpredictable situations.
• The ability to train and manage staff on site and at remote office stations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite including Word Excel PowerPoint and Outlook; database management; and ability to perform web-based searches.
• Adept at using virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

ADDITIONAL ELIBIGILITY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current approved Act 34 (PA State Police) Act 151 (PA Child Abuse Registry) and Act 114 (FBI fingerprint) clearances are required and must be renewed at appropriate specific intervals pursuant to Act 153 of 2014 (Revised Act 15 of 2015).
• Current approved Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training certificate showing completion of a minimum of three (3) hours training every five (5) years.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintain up to date skills in computer programs personal skills and office systems pertinent to the job assignment
• Remain current in CSIU policies special education and standards and procedures
• Attend pertinent seminars as related to job responsibilities
• Participate in CSIU supervisory and leadership roundtable trainings.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary: Able to sit for extended periods of time to review data on computer monitor occasional walking standing (as necessary) and able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Dexterity: Finger movements (computer keyboard calculator) eye-hand coordination (office equipment etc.).
• Audio-Visual Requirements: Within normal range with or without correction.
• Is able to move throughout all buildings floors and grounds.
• Worksite Environment: Primarily indoors-office setting with occasional exposure to outdoor elements/climate during the day.
• Mental demands: Steady response to unpredictable situations ability to remain calm and productive during stressful situations. Demonstrates independent judgment discretion and is able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to travel to various work site locations and meetings as needed.

TIME AND SITE REQUIREMENTS:

• This position is a full-time exempt 12-month 260-day position.
• This is a remote home-based position where the employees home serves as the primary telework this role mandatory in-person attendance will be required at the CSIU Main Office or other designated CSIU locations for specific events including training sessions staff orientations and any other meetings deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor or their designee. Eligible travel expenses associated with these in-person requirements will be reimbursed in accordance with IRS federal regulations for remote home-based positions.
• Attendance at work is a requirement of this position; any and all absences must be approved by the immediate supervisor.
• Occasional travel for meetings and training events including evening or overnight.

CSIU PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. All property including intellectual property materials equipment or actual products and services developed or accrued as part of the job duties and responsibilities listed above is the property of the CSIU. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the CSIU upon termination of employment from the CSIU.
2. The person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about clients and coworkers programs and services and other proprietary information accrued as a result of CSIU employment or as required by state and federal laws and regulations.

1. The person employed in this position must adhere to all requirements identified in the code of professionalism entitled Ambassadors Are Professionals Too and CSIU Administrative Regulation 317-AR-1 CSIU Service Standards.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform their supervisor and the Director of Human Resources of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required.

Required Experience:

Director