Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00257522	Description Activated On: 6/22/2026 10:22:40 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

This position involves managing Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Special Education data by establishing data collection systems, analyzing and preparing required state and federal reports, maintaining databases, and providing training and guidance to Bureau staff, schools, and stakeholders. The role also represents the Bureau in state and national workgroups, coordinates major data initiatives, and supports collaboration across agencies to meet reporting requirements.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

1. Identifies data to be collected as outlined in IDEA and the sources for that data through review of reporting requirements and meetings with Bureau staff.
2. With support and direction from the Director sets up systems to collect information within the Bureau.
3. Draft correspondence, program evaluations and analysis for the Bureau Director's review and signature.
4. Outlines requirements for databases on complaints, monitoring and task assignments, trains staff on their use and queries the data base for information.
5. Develops presentations and presents information to participants at workshops and meetings concerning these reports on IDEA and Special Education.
6. Prepares reports for the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and U.S. Department of Education on IDEA.
7. Assist as the bureau liaison with other Bureaus federal, state and local agencies, to determine data and reporting needs.
8. Assist the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) team with analysis and reporting of required data and review of final reporting documents.
9. Provides training to Bureau staff on IDEA and State Special Education reporting requirements including complaints and Penn Data and Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS).
10. Answers questions and interprets reporting requirements for a variety of constituents including citizens, school administrators and legislators in the area of special education.
11. Develops and conducts training sessions for agency and school personnel on reporting requirements relating to special education.
12. Consults with stakeholder groups, including school districts, Intermediate Units (IUs), PDE staff and others, including contractors to determine requirements.
13. Performs other education statistical, narrative and evaluative reviews related to reporting and data analysis as requested.
14. Participates in PDE workgroups and committees, e.g. PIMS.
15. Travel and remote access work when training and consulting on-site with Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and IUs.
16. Bureau of Special Education contact for attendance at Data Quality Network monthly meetings.
17. Coordinates the Special Education Strand and the Annual Data Summit.
18. Participates in national workgroups for IDEA related data, e.g. Special Education Data Managers Affinity Group (SEDMAG), Center for IDEA Fiscal Reportion (CIFR), IDEA Data Center (IDC).
19. Attends national conferences on IDEA related data as the PA IDEA B Data Manager.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

The position prioritizes assignments and works independently within minimal supervision. However, supervisory guidance and review is received for new or unusual situations and changes in operating procedures and policies.

The position conducts on-site reviews with Penn State Data Center staff as part of the single audit requirement for oversight and audit purposes. During heavy collection periods this may require multiple days on-site.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   N/A

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.

5.

6.

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Apply Federal and State regulations to applicable program requirements.
2.	Coordinates and manages projects for Bureau Director, Press, Legal, and Fiscal.
3.	Analyze complex program questions and provide recommendations.
4.	Setup data collection systems.
5.	Organize and present clear and concise oral and written reports.
6.	Adapt goals and priorities to meet the reporting requirements of the agency.
7.	Establish effective working relationships with colleagues within the Bureau, LEAs, IUs, and Federal Representatives.
8.	Perform other related duties as needed.
9.	Utilize various software applications, including Microsoft Office Suite and FileMaker Pro.
10.	Local and overnight travel required.