Special Education Due Process Hearing Officer (#5189)

The Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) is soliciting applicants for individuals interested in serving as a full time impartial Special Education Due Process Hearing Officer under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).

Candidate must have primary residence in Pennsylvania and be able to drive to various locations throughout the geographical boundaries of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Successful candidate will operate out of their home office with administrative support from the Office for Dispute Resolution. Although the position offers the opportunity to telework from home, occasional in-person attendance for in-person visits to clients, meetings, and trainings in Pennsylvania will be required. Transportation to the CSIU Main Office, the Center for Schools and Communities or to any required on-site locations is the employee's responsibility. Certain requirements based upon CSIU telework policy and administrative regulations must be met. The CSIU has the right to cancel or suspend the employee teleworking privileges at any time, for any or no reason, due to the requirement of the CSIU and client needs.

• Salary: $**$95,000 -- 105,000 exempt following a 260 day, 12 month schedule. Excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision insurance; retirement options including Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) and life insurance options.
  
  

Hearing officers requires a degree from an accredited college or university; An advanced degree is preferred. A law degree is preferred but not required. Attorney hearing officers must maintain current license with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Position Also Requires The Following

• Hearing officers must maintain current attorney licensure with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
• Hearing officers must have a degree from an accredited college or university; Advanced degrees are preferred.
• A minimum of five (5) years' experience as a hearing officer is required. Will consider equivalent experience if applicable to the Hearing Officer position.
• Hearing officers must have their primary residence in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Knowledge of special education and special education law is required.
• The candidate must possess knowledge of, and the ability to understand, the provisions of IDEA, federal and state regulations pertaining to IDEA, and legal interpretations of IDEA by state and federal courts.
• The candidate must also have knowledge of and the ability to understand Section 504/Chapter 15; Chapter 16; Chapter 711; Part C of IDEA; the laws and regulations pertaining to them, and legal interpretations of these laws and regulations.
• The candidate must possess the knowledge and ability to conduct hearings, as well as to render and write decisions based upon the record developed during those hearings, all in accordance with appropriate, standard legal practice.
• The candidate must have the necessary computer knowledge to communicate with litigants and ODR via email, to conduct relevant research, as well as to prepare decisions in electronic form.
• The candidate must have excellent communication skills including the ability to interact with a variety of different individuals as well as excellent management skills to maintain and control numerous cases at one time. Hearing officers operate out of home offices with administrative support from ODR. Reliable transportation is required in order to fulfill job duties, with travel within all geographic boundaries of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• This is a full-time position, and supplemental employment in the areas of education, special education or related fields is not permitted, including but not limited to any type of employment or independent contract with a public, parochial or private school, an intermediate unit (other than IU 16, for hearing officer related fiscal purposes only), advocacy o ganization, or law firm which represents parties in special education matters is prohibited.
• Adept at using virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to interpret, analyze and problem solve as well as work with a broad range of people from diverse backgrounds are required.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to prioritize the task based on project deadlines. And must be able to type accurately and maintain a high level of productivity.
• Requires the ability to develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships using tact and diplomacy and to remain calm in unpredictable situations.
  
  

Interviews will be conducted by a panel of stakeholder representatives for qualified candidates.

Please apply online at https://csiu.schoolspring.com by October 16, 2025. In addition to completing the online application, please upload the following with your application: Minimum of three (3) letters of professional reference attesting to applicable experience and college transcripts conferring degree(s). EOE.