Arizona Department of Education

Exceptional Student Services Section
Phoenix or Tucson Location

Salary: $66,000 - $68,200 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 12/18/24  

• This position is responsible for initiating and providing statewide professional development and technical assistance.
• Occasional in-state and 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.

• Provide information through training and technical assistance regarding secondary transition services, programs, laws, regulations, Attorney General Opinions, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) guidance and court cases to schools, state agencies, parents, and the general public to help achieve compliance and effective program services for children
• Engage in statewide activities that increase best practices and compliance with federal and state requirements, including presenting at local, regional, state, and national conferences in addition to regional director meetings and parent group meetings
• Plan, develop, conduct, and evaluate secondary transition professional learning opportunities and capacity building trainings
• Develop presentations, charts, brochures, or handouts as needed to inform the public, parents, Public Education Agency (PEAs) and other state agencies of compliance of state and federal special education laws/regulations and practices/processes for implementation of programs to meet compliance
• Organize and write materials and guidelines to be disseminated to PEAs and the public, addressing the latest changes and interpretations of federal laws, state regulations and Attorney General's opinions pertaining to transition services
• Represent Arizona Department of Education (ADE) in national transition services work groups
• Serve on task forces, fiscal review RFP teams, committees, and special projects for ADE
• Serve as liaison among divisions within ADE, including Career and Technical Education and Academic Achievement, other state agencies (VR, ILC, DDD, SSA, BHS), and community-based organizations for the purpose of improving transition services for eligible youth with disabilities
• Participate in intra- and interagency meetings, serve on conference planning committees, research and publish articles jointly, and work with IHEs on teacher preparation programs and successful transition of students to postsecondary systems
• Participate in ongoing discussions among state agencies relative to state-level interagency agreements pertinent to transition services
• Participate in the collection, analysis, and reporting of data related to SPP/APR Indicators 1, 2, 13, and 14
• Assist in the development and implementation of SPP/APR improvement activities related to these Indicators
• Attend conferences, write articles, solicit information from experts in the field, read newsletters, journals, books, regulations, attorney general opinions and laws related to special education and secondary transition in order to keep abreast of professional information and issues
• Participate in the development, coordination, and implementation of ADE/ Exceptional Student Services (ESS) annual IDEA Conference, including participation in steering committee activities

Knowledge in:
• State and federal laws and implementing regulations in the area of special education and transition
• History and development of special education
• Role of other states and private agencies in the provision of transition services to children with disabilities
• School-to-work initiatives, work experience programs, and employment models,
self-determination approaches, social security work incentive programs,
preservice preparation programs for transition services, state and local- level interagency agreements
• School administrative structure and current sources of information for special education teachers
• Awareness of ADE/ESS resources and other state agencies (VR, ILC, DDD, SSA, BHS) available to PEAs for technical assistance and interpretation of regulations
• Understanding of SEA, PEA and private school organization structure, taking into consideration the uniqueness of each district in providing special education transition service
• A bachelor’s degree in special education, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education, a related field, or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required.

Skills in:
• Highly developed oral and written communication
• Customer service and strong interpersonal skills
• Public speaking
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making
• Interpersonal relationships
• Group dynamics and facilitation
• Organization and time management
• Evaluation and monitoring
• Project and task management
• Event planning
• Attention to detail
• Multi-task
• Leadership
• Intermediate to advanced skills in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Excel.

Ability to:
• Work in collaboration with a variety of personalities, other agency personnel and the general public
• Analyze and communicate research and data
• Provide consultant services and technical assistance to diverse stakeholders
• Perform effective research
• Effective public relations capability
• Demonstrate initiative and judgment and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority

Preference will be given to those applicants with:
• Master’s degree in special education, vocational rehabilitation counseling, or related field
• Knowledge and experience in transition services program development, teaching program evaluation and/or monitoring

• 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 to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

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
• Ten 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
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

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.

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?

Email HRIShelpdesk@azdoa.gov or call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.