Specialist, Comprehensive Alternative Resolution & Equity (CARE)

Position Overview

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for providing expert advice of counsel and legal representation to DCPS' Chancellor, Central Office, principals, and other school-based staff to help ensure that all DCPS students, regardless of background or circumstance, receive a world-class education that prepares them for success in college, career, and life. Major practice areas in OGC include: General Practice, which includes FOIA, FERPA, policy and ethics, Labor and Employment, and Special Education due process litigation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). Additionally, the office includes the Labor Management and Employee Relations (LMER) team and the Compliance division. 

• The Labor Management & Employee Relations (LMER) work group is responsible for supporting DCPS on a wide range of employee relations matters, including but not limited to: ensuring compliance with EEO laws; facilitating the proper implementation of progressive discipline; assisting employees with workplace problems; collaborating with unions to resolve issues and address concerns; working with managers to ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and policies; scheduling meditations and hearings to address grievances; investigating allegations of misconduct by employees, contractors, and volunteers; and conducting background investigations to determine suitability for DCPS employment and service providers. 

 

• The Compliance division is made up of the Internal Audit, Special Education Compliance, Risk Management, and Comprehensive Alternative Resolution and Equity (CARE) teams. The Compliance division works closely with various federal and district agencies, including but not limited to the Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General, Office of the District of Columbia Auditor, Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Office of Human Rights, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, and Metropolitan Police Department on an as needed basis. The division receives concerns and complaints from students, parents, and third parties and provides effective and equitable resolution to issues raised, conducts internal audits of DCPS programs, and oversees the management of all audits of DCPS conducted by external entities. The division is also responsible for identifying and mitigating risks and working and collaborating to ensure safety. The Compliance team’s mission is to work with all Schools and Central Services departments to ensure that operations and programming are compliant with applicable DCPS, District, and federal laws, regulations, and policies. 

The CARE team receives, investigates, and resolves concerns, comments, and complaints of a varying nature from students, parents, and third parties. The Specialist, CARE is responsible for collaborating with school Principals, Instructional Superintendents, school-based, and central services staff to ensure that regulations are adhered to and students feel safe and can benefit fully from their schools’ education programs and activities in a non-discriminatory environment.

 

This position has been designated as Safety 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 safety 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, Comprehensive Alternative Resolution & Equity (CARE) will report to the Director, Comprehensive Alternative Resolution & Equity (CARE).

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.

• Conduct, lead, monitor, and make reports to DCPS management on the status of investigations related to grievance filings received from students, parents, or third parties.

• Ensure that DCPS investigations are conducted fairly, completed within 30-day timeline, and comply with applicable District law(s) and agency policies.

• Investigate complaints of a varying nature, including potential violations of civil rights and sexual harassment, and a broad category of complaints across the educational landscape, including sexual misconduct on DCPS property.

• Monitor compliance of all requirements and timelines specified in formal agreements.

• Collect, arrange, and preserve case-related information in an electronic database.

• Possess a broad and detailed understanding of agency and District policies, procedures, and issue stances with the ability to apply them.

• Creates detailed timelines for each case; assesses and tracks progress using data systems; and drives case completion holding others accountable for responsibilities and deadlines.

• Interview students, staff, and parents, where applicable, to make required determination(s) relative to each investigation assigned.

• Interview and survey other colleagues and teams to determine opportunities for improvement, research specific issues, and develop detailed recommendations and implementation plans to resolve relevant issues identified.

• Provide ongoing training, consultation, technical assistance, and information services regarding Title IX requirements, grievance issues, and compliance programs.

• Assist in the coordination of DCPS’ efforts to comply with its obligations under Title IX and Title IX regulations, except for athletic programming.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related work experience.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated.
• Formal training in mediation and/or conflict resolution.
• Comfortable managing a case load with sex discriminatory issues.
• Strong ownership-mindset and follow-through, able to garner support and build relationships with various internal departments to drive collaboration, innovation, and system improvement.
• Able to have honest, sometimes difficult conversations with all stakeholders.
• Ability to stay focused and calm and be present amid high pressure situations; and able to prioritize and respond appropriately to urgent matters.
• Ability to conceptualize issues and develop communication appropriate for the receiving party, remain nonjudgemental, rely on facts, and have the courage to speak up and address problems at higher levels within an organization.

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• 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.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• 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].