Associate Director, Special Education Division C. E. A. Level A at California Department of Education
Job Description / Essential Elements:
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Please be advised, the California Department of Education (CDE) does not utilize the on-line EdJoin application process.
DUTIES:
Under the administrative direction of the Director of the Special Education Division (SED), the Career Executive Assignment (CEA) oversees the Office of Dispute Resolution, state compliance complaint system and supervises the Dispute Resolution Investigation Units and Dispute Resolution Support Services unit. Key responsibilities include providing administrative, programmatic, and managerial leadership for all four units, as well as supervising staff assigned to the programs. The CEA is responsible for ensuring consistency across investigation reports from each unit, clearly identifying allegations, conducting thorough and comprehensive investigations, and making well-supported decisions regarding compliance determinations. Additionally, the CEA is tasked with streamlining operations, improving efficiencies, and providing a coordinated approach to resolving the growing volume and complexity of state compliance complaints. The CEA will provide leadership, technical assistance, and direction, working closely with the SED Director and Associate Directors to develop, implement, and promote departmental and statewide policies and regulations with an emphasis on alternative dispute resolution. The CEA also collaborates with other units within the Special Education Division to ensure alignment of monitoring efforts with broader compliance, programming, and data-driven initiatives. This includes coordinating with policy, monitoring, and legal teams to strengthen systemic oversight and respond to emerging trends and findings identified through monitoring activities.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
1. Experience at the administrative level providing leadership including developing, implementing, and applying federal and state special education laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
2. Knowledge of special education techniques and practices.
3. Experience administering dispute resolution programs including alternative dispute resolution processes, managing and responding to complaints and due process hearings.
4. Experience in managing multi-disciplinary professional and technical staff in order to advance the activities of an educational program.
5. Experience with organizational management.
CONTACT:
Human Resources Contact:
Examination & Recruitment Office
(916) 319-0747
cdeexams@cde.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Sharde Pickens
(916) 319-0467
spickens@cde.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Randi Thompson, EEO Officer
(916) 445-9174
oeoinfo@cde.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Requirements / Qualifications
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job: Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position. Resume is required and must be included. Degree and/or School Transcripts Statement of Qualifications - Statement of Qualifications which describes your experience, knowledge and abilities as they relate to each "Desirable Qualification" factor listed under the "Desirable Qualifications" section of this bulletin. You must provide specific examples for each Desirable Qualification factor. The Desirable Qualification factors must be addressed and numbered in the same order as listed. The Statement of Qualifications should not exceed 3 pages in length with a minimum font size of 12 pitch. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Application Instructions Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application. Final Filing Date: 6/9/2025 Who May Apply Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California. How To Apply Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below: Address for Mailing Application Packages You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to: Department of Education Human Resources Division Attn: Examination & Recruitment Office 1430 N Street Ste. 1802 Sacramento, CA 95814 Address for Drop-Off Application Packages You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at: Department of Education Human Resources Division Examination & Recruitment Office 1430 N Street Ste. 1802 Sacramento, CA 95814 Please date stamp your exam packet before dropping in the box. 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Requirements / Qualifications
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job: Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position. Resume is required and must be included. Degree and/or School Transcripts Statement of Qualifications - Statement of Qualifications which describes your experience, knowledge and abilities as they relate to each "Desirable Qualification" factor listed under the "Desirable Qualifications" section of this bulletin. You must provide specific examples for each Desirable Qualification factor. The Desirable Qualification factors must be addressed and numbered in the same order as listed. The Statement of Qualifications should not exceed 3 pages in length with a minimum font size of 12 pitch. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Application Instructions Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application. Final Filing Date: 6/9/2025 Who May Apply Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California. How To Apply Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below: Address for Mailing Application Packages You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to: Department of Education Human Resources Division Attn: Examination & Recruitment Office 1430 N Street Ste. 1802 Sacramento, CA 95814 Address for Drop-Off Application Packages You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at: Department of Education Human Resources Division Examination & Recruitment Office 1430 N Street Ste. 1802 Sacramento, CA 95814 Please date stamp your exam packet before dropping in the box. 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Comments and Other Information
Under the administrative direction of the Director of the Special Education Division (SED), the Career Executive Assignment (CEA) oversees the Office of Dispute Resolution, state compliance complaint system and supervises the Dispute Resolution Investigation Units and Dispute Resolution Support Services unit. Key responsibilities include providing administrative, programmatic, and managerial leadership for all four units, as well as supervising staff assigned to the programs. The CEA is responsible for ensuring consistency across investigation reports from each unit, clearly identifying allegations, conducting thorough and comprehensive investigations, and making well-supported decisions regarding compliance determinations. Additionally, the CEA is tasked with streamlining operations, improving efficiencies, and providing a coordinated approach to resolving the growing volume and complexity of state compliance complaints. The CEA will provide leadership, technical assistance, and direction, working closely with the SED Director and Associate Directors to develop, implement, and promote departmental and statewide policies and regulations with an emphasis on alternative dispute resolution. The CEA also collaborates with other units within the Special Education Division to ensure alignment of monitoring efforts with broader compliance, programmatic, and data-driven initiatives. This includes coordinating with policy, monitoring, and legal teams to strengthen systemic oversight and respond to emerging trends and findings identified through monitoring activities.
Comments and Other Information
Under the administrative direction of the Director of the Special Education Division (SED), the Career Executive Assignment (CEA) oversees the Office of Dispute Resolution, state compliance complaint system and supervises the Dispute Resolution Investigation Units and Dispute Resolution Support Services unit. Key responsibilities include providing administrative, programmatic, and managerial leadership for all four units, as well as supervising staff assigned to the programs. The CEA is responsible for ensuring consistency across investigation reports from each unit, clearly identifying allegations, conducting thorough and comprehensive investigations, and making well-supported decisions regarding compliance determinations. Additionally, the CEA is tasked with streamlining operations, improving efficiencies, and providing a coordinated approach to resolving the growing volume and complexity of state compliance complaints. The CEA will provide leadership, technical assistance, and direction, working closely with the SED Director and Associate Directors to develop, implement, and promote departmental and statewide policies and regulations with an emphasis on alternative dispute resolution. The CEA also collaborates with other units within the Special Education Division to ensure alignment of monitoring efforts with broader compliance, programmatic, and data-driven initiatives. This includes coordinating with policy, monitoring, and legal teams to strengthen systemic oversight and respond to emerging trends and findings identified through monitoring activities.