Position Overview
The mission of the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) is to provide educators with curricular resources, academic programs, and aligned professional development to ensure rigorous and joyful learning experiences for every student. OTL team members support school-based staff in implementing DCPS's existing academic programs while simultaneously working to rethink and redesign school programming, academic and curricular resources, and educator professional development.
Divisions/Teams
The Content and Curriculum division sets the vision for equity and excellence for each content area in DCPS schools by researching, creating, and curating curricular materials and providing aligned professional development experiences to ensure that all students have access to rigorous and joyful learning experiences every day in every content area. The division also supports schools and develops curriculum and programming in arts, health, physical education, library programs, STEM, global programs, advanced and enriched instruction, and curriculum and assessment innovation.
The Early Childhood Education division supports schools and families in providing PreK students with comprehensive learning experiences that foster confidence and independence. Approximately 6,000 children ages three to five attend early childhood classrooms in 78 elementary schools across the district, including several schools that offer Head Start programming. The division also manages Early Stages programming which works exclusively with children ages 2 years 8 months through 5 years 10 months and is responsible for meeting the District’s obligation under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B (619) to develop a comprehensive child find system to identify and locate all preschool-age children in the District who have a disability. The division also manages the implementation of DCPS' Head Start grant.
The Language Acquisition division welcomes families of linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds to DCPS, leads the process of identifying Multilingual Learner students, and supports schools in developing programs that supports English language acquisition and academic growth. This includes support during the academic day and as part of ELSAP, which is a targeted summer program for ML students. The LAD also manages DCPS compliance with the DC Language Access Act, providing translation and interpretation resources to school and central teams.
The Professional Learning and Educational Technology division sets a vision for professional development for DCPS as well as creates systems, tools, and structures to increase the efficacy of professional learning initiatives. This work includes LEAP, cluster-based PD, district PD and other learning opportunities. The team works across all DCPS offices to increase the cohesion of professional development and broad sharing of knowledge, while exploring new avenues and opportunities for meaningful development and learning for our educators. The team also leads efforts to enhance alignment and cohesion of professional learning initiatives and the integration of educational technology.
The Specialized Instruction division works to reduce the opportunity gap between students with IEPs and their non-disabled peers; and increases equity and excellence in schools through specific academic programming, related services, professional learning, school leadership development, family engagement, dispute resolution, and community partnerships.
The Specialized Instruction division works to reduce the opportunity gap between students with IEPs and their non-disabled peers; and increases equity and excellence in schools through specific academic programming, related services, professional learning, school leadership development, family engagement, dispute resolution, and community partnerships.
The Specialist, Compensatory Education Outreach is responsible for ensuring that special education legal settlement agreements are monitored and implemented in alignment with the requirements outlined in the agreement. The Specialist, Compensatory Education Outreach will ensure that students from the settlement agreement class have access to their entitled award.
This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Pre-employment drug and alcohol test; Traffic record check (as applicable); Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.
The Specialist, Compensatory Education Outreach will report to the Senior Deputy Chief, Specialized Instruction.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
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Applies deep content knowledge and relevant expertise to all steps of the due process complaint and settlement agreement life cycle.
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Oversees the administration, communication, delivery of required supports, and compensatory award administration to support designated class members.
- Prepares bi-weekly and monthly reports for senior leadership and external stakeholders with required elements outlined in settlement agreement.
- Liaises with Office of General Counsel, third party monitors, and relevant stakeholders.
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Develops and maintains a system for tracking all outreach efforts, award selections, and communications and activities related to facilitating requirements in settlement agreement.
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Meets all timelines as set by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, settlement agreement, and DC Municipal Regulations (DCMR).
- Completes comprehensive reimbursement invoice review and payment processing.
- Submits purchasing requests using card and DC PASS processing systems as needed.
- Anticipates, identifies, and resolves complex obstacles to success with settlement agreement.
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Builds relationships and liaises with various internal departments to drive collaboration in resolution of due process complaints; and interacts with and responds effectively to urgent requests from multiple internal and external DCPS stakeholders.
Qualifications
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Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related work experience.
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Master's degree preferred.
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Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
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Experience with monitoring and implementing required actions for special education settlement agreements or hearing officer determinations required.
- Superior writing and organizational skills as well as strong attention to detail.
- Ability to multitask while adapting to changing priorities.
- A superb eye for attention to detail and extremely organized.
- Ability to handle and resolve adversarial situations and relationships while maintaining a high level of professionalism.
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STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
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COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
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EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
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EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
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TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
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JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact [email protected].
