Job Description:

Arizona Department of Education

The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization

committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.

Lead Complaint Investigator/Compliance Coordinator

Job Location:

Exceptional Student Services/Dispute Resolution Section

Phoenix Location

Posting Details:

Salary: $70,000 - $75,000

 Grade: 21

 Closing Date: 7/14/25 

Job 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 SEAs federally mandated general supervision requirement. The IDEA requires that a written report of the comprehensive investigation of alleged procedural violations of IDEA be completed, and any corrective action that results from the investigation be issued within 60-calendar-days of the determination of sufficiency.

The lead complaint investigator/compliance coordinator position is responsible for:

• Ensuring that noncompliance identified as a result of a special education complaint filed by a constituent with Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is corrected in a timely manner consistent with the requirements of the IDEA. 
• The development of general supervision areas of concern which is not directly associated with the findings of an investigation but may arise from an issue that falls under the SEAs general supervision responsibility.
• Ensure that the assigned corrective action in the instances listed above are completed within the documented benchmark dates assigned to each action in the assigned corrective action but no more than the federally mandated one-year corrective action timeline.
• During busier times, this position may be assigned to investigate complaints on an as needed basis.

·         Occasional in-state and rare out-of-state travel is required for this position.

The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs).  Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

Job Duties:

• In collaboration with the Director of Dispute Resolution or in lieu of, review investigation reports for accuracy, clarity, and correct application of the appropriate statutes, regulations, and rules prior to dissemination to the parties.
• As the lead, may also act in lieu of the Director of Dispute Resolution in determining the sufficiency of submitted state complaints and either assigning investigation to a Complaint Investigator when sufficiency is determined or compose and disseminate the insufficiency letter to the complainant and the public education agency (PEA). 
• Coordinates the implementation of the corrective action within Dispute Resolution.
• Mentor all new Complaint Investigators through their first and second years.
• Provide regular guidance related to all aspects of investigations to all Complaint Investigators.
• Ensures that all investigation resources are up to date with recent changes resulting from court decisions, federal, state and/or board rule changes.

·         Answer general questions about the Dispute Resolution options, specifically mediation, due process, state complaints, and corrective action resulting from noncompliance identified through the complaint process.

·         Create detailed, meaningful corrective action designed to correct identified individual and systemic noncompliance found through investigations of state complaints.

·         Read newsletters, journals, regulations, attorney general opinions, and laws related to special education and participate in regional conference calls in order to keep up to date on professional information.

·         Investigate formal state administrative complaints filed against PEAs alleging noncompliance with the procedural requirements of the IDEA. Duties will include:  conducting interviews (in person and/or by telephone), gathering and analyzing relevant factual documentation, determining compliance with federal and state special education requirements, preparing investigation reports, staying up-to-date on developments in special education, and providing technical assistance to the community regarding special education and the special education process.

·         Other duties as assigned related to the position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Current federal law including IDEA and state laws governing educational service delivery for students with disabilities
• Methods and procedures in the area of special education
• PEAs responsibilities to provide educational services to students with disabilities
• Current case law concerning individuals with disabilities
• Administrative structures and services provided by PEAs and state agencies working with individuals with disabilities
• Previous experience providing technical assistance in special education
• Professional development techniques and modalities for diverse and adult audiences
• Extensive knowledge of special education legal requirements to consult and advise professional educators, parents, and other members of the community
• Extensive knowledge of the dispute resolution options available to public education agencies and the parents of children with disabilities under the IDEA
• Experience with developing or implementing corrective action
• A Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or related field is required (equivalent experience may be considered to substitute for the degree).

Skills in:

• Excellent written, verbal communication, and research skills
• Effective public speaking skills; and excellent personal and material organization and time management skills
• Skilled researcher
• Editing skills
• Proficient computer skills to effectively develop and maintain the complaint database
• Highly developed interpersonal skills to establish and foster internal and external relationships
• Intermediate skill in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel

Ability to:

• Process and analyze large amounts of information quickly and effectively
• Act cooperatively and collaboratively with internal colleagues and external customers, including professional educators
• Coordinate multiple projects and programs simultaneously
• Use existing knowledge and acquire new information to create policies and procedures and establish effective practices
• Use good judgment to make high level decisions related to corrective action requirements
• Draft and finalize clear, concise, and accurate investigation reports
• Clarify and prioritize issues of concern relating to special education

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.
• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Driver’s License Requirements.
• All employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Retirement:

You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.

Benefits:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

·         Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans

·         Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans

·         10 paid holidays per year

·         Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years

·         Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly

·         Deferred compensation plan

·         Wellness plans

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Contact Us:

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov.  Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. 

To submit your resume, click the "APPLY NOW" button below.

Having trouble applying for this position?

Call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.

Please apply at www.azstatejobs.gov

Job ID: 534566

Closing Date: 7/13/25