Job Description

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.

About the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE):

The Indiana Department of Education provides innovative support to Indiana schools, teachers, students, and parents. We proactively work with educators, policymakers, business leaders, and community-based organizations to build student success. Our strategic priorities include:

• Delivering quality, purposeful educational opportunities for each student
• Elevating and supporting Indiana’s educators
• Increasing partnerships and delivering aligned, effective, and efficient support

Salary:

This position traditionally starts at an annual salary of $85,020. Salary for this position may be commensurate with education and job experience.

 

Role Overview:

The State Equitable Services Ombudsman helps ensure that non-public school children, teachers, and other educational personnel receive services equitable to those in public schools by monitoring and enforcing Title I and Title VIII equitable services requirements. 

This role will require you to:

• Carefully read and interpret statutes and both binding and non-regulatory guidance.
• Occasionally travel overnight. Historically, this is no more than three to four nights a year).

This role enables you to work remotely two days each week.

A Day in the Life:

• Monitor and enforce the equitable services requirements in Titles I and VIII as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

• Work in partnership with the IDOE Office of Title Grants and Support as an impartial mediator between the Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and non-public school officials when a concern arises.

• Address questions and concerns from the non-public school officials, LEAs and IDOE staff regarding the provision of equitable services under Title I and VIII.

• Serve as a general resource regarding equitable services requirements for both LEAs and non-public officials, which includes conducting initial outreach to define the contours of the ombudsman's responsibilities.

• Develop, in partnership with other relevant SEA staff, monitoring protocols, processes, procedures, and resources applicable to the provision of equitable services to support the LEAs, non-public school officials, and IDOE staff.

• Establish a process for receiving documentation of agreement from LEAs consistent with the consultation requirement that the results of such agreement shall be transmitted to the ombudsman.

• Respond to and resolve formal complaints from non-public school officials within 30 days.

• Carry out ombudsman duties in a fair and impartial manner.

• Guide LEAs and non-public school officials to facilitate the goal of reaching agreement when agreement cannot be achieved independently through consultation.

• Maintain ombudsman online resources.

• Establish and maintain a working relationship with the Indiana Office of Non-Public School Education.

• Provide presentations on equitable services requirements at IDOE, non-public schools, and other conferences as applicable.

• Organize and participate in the quarterly Non-Public School Advisory Group.

• Participate in monthly Regional Ombudsman Networking groups.

• Prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and follow through on issues in a timely manner.

• Attend national conferences that address the ombudsman position, as appropriate.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What You'll Need for Success:

• Bachelor's degree in Education required, Master's degree preferred.
• Three or more years of successful education-related job experience.
• Must have sufficient experience working in federal programs with the ability to demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding regarding the equitable services provisions, including the statute, regulations, and guidance necessary to implement, monitor, and enforce the equitable services requirements under both Title I and VIII.
• Experience with integrating input from other technical experts and IDOE program specialists, including those at the U.S. Department of Education, and communicating it to the appropriate audiences.
• Ability to carry out the ombudsman duties, including monitoring, enforcement, and resolving complaints, fairly and impartially.
• Ability to work alone and in collaboration with IDOE federal program directors, assistant directors, and specialists.
• Ability to guide LEAs and non-public school officials to facilitate the goal of reaching an agreement when an agreement cannot be achieved independently.
• Excellent use of correct grammar (both oral and written), spelling, and punctuation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with an array of personalities.
• Expert-level written and verbal communication skills, strong decision-making ability, and attention to detail are equally important.
• Ability to compose letters, memorandums, legal notices, templates, and policies and procedures.
• Prompt, reliable, pleasant, professional appearance and demeanor.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees which includes: 

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
• Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid new parent leave
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
  • Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
  • 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

   

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws. 

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov .

The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.

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