Coordinator, Literacy Programs & Initiatives (Education Program Specialist II (*2 Positions*))

State of Maryland; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 99,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State of Maryland Benefits

Job summary

State of Maryland seeks a Coordinator of Literacy Programs and Initiatives to lead best-in-class prekindergarten through grade 12 literacy program development and implementation. You will align initiatives with Maryland Literacy Standards and evidence-based practices to accelerate student performance across LEAs and early learning environments.

The role focuses on content expertise, day-to-day operational support, and deployment of research-based resources to build comprehensive literacy

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent required.
• Five years of administrative or teaching experience in/affiliated with an education program.
• Experience coordinating or administering an education program or service.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and monitors literacy initiatives aligned to State and National Standards and MSDE policies.
• Provides policy guidance and technical assistance to LEAs to meet literacy requirements.
• Coordinates with MSDE offices to ensure coherent interpretation of literacy policy and data requirements.
• Reviews and crosswalks local literacy plans and grant submissions against MSDE policy requirements.
• Prepares summary reports and recommendations for leadership and the State Board.
• Identifies implementation challenges and escalates issues to leadership when needed.
• Serves as a point of contact for LEAs and MSDE resources.
• Tracks LEA deliverables and maintains organized records of progress and compliance.
• Designs and evaluates professional learning for LEA literacy leaders.

Skills

Literacy program leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Policy guidance

Project coordination

Education

Master's degree or 36 credit hours

Job description

Introduction

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population – students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland. Recruitment for these positions open to current MSDE permanent and contractual employees only!

GRADE

• State
• Salary Grade 22
• Salary Range: $99,442.00 - $156,822.00
• State Salary Guidelines may apply for current State employees.

LOCATION OF POSITION

Nancy S. Grasmick Education Building 200 West Baltimore Street Baltimore, MD 21201

Main Purpose of Job

The Coordinator of Literacy Programs and Initiatives provides best-in-class program development, implementation, and support of highly effective prekindergarten through grade 12 programs and initiatives aligned to the Maryland State Literacy Standards and evidence-based practices (i.e., Science of Reading; Structured Literacy; content knowledge development; etc.) to accelerate student performance in literacy across local education agencies (LEAs) and early learning environments.

The Coordinator of Literacy Programs and Initiatives provides content expertise and day to day operational support across Pre K through grade 12 literacy and English Language Arts (ELA) programs. This position helps develop and deploy research-based resources and tools to assist Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in building and sustaining comprehensive literacy programs that elevate instructional standards and expand equitable access to evidence-based practices.

POSITION DUTIES

• Develops, implements, and monitors literacy initiatives aligned to State and National Standards and MSDE policies.
• Provides content expertise, policy guidance, and technical assistance to ensure LEAs meet literacy-related requirements under COMAR, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, and other state initiatives.
• Coordinates with internal MSDE offices (Early Childhood, Assessment, Research, Special Education, etc.) to ensure coherent interpretation and implementation of literacy policy and data requirements.
• Reviews and crosswalks local literacy plans, grant applications, and related submissions against MSDE policy requirements.
• Prepares summary reports and recommendations for leadership and the State Board.
• Proactively identifies implementation challenges, recommends solutions, and escalates issues to leadership when necessary.
• Serves as a point of contact for LEAs, responding to inquiries and connecting them with MSDE resources.
• Tracks LEA deliverables (e.g., literacy plans, reporting requirements) and maintain organized records of progress and compliance.
• Designs, facilitates, and evaluates professional learning for LEA literacy leaders, with an emphasis on translating policy into classroom practice and monitoring follow‑through.
• Maintains detailed project plans, meeting notes, and follow‑up actions to ensure accountability and continuity across MSDE teams and LEA partners.
• Drafts communications, memos, and reports as directed by the Executive Director.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A Master’s degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post‑baccalaureate course work from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: Five years of administrative or teaching experience in, or affiliated with, an education program, including two years of experience in coordinating or administering an education program or service directly related to the position option.

Notes:

• Candidates may substitute two additional years of experience directly related to the position option for the required education.
• Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree at an accredited college or university in a field related to the position for one year of the required experience.
• The required field of education and experience are unique for each option and are established by MSDE in accordance with Education Article, Section 2-104 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The specific education and experience qualifications for each position are on record in the Human Resource Management Branch of the Division of Business Services.
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Education Program classifications or Education Program specialty codes in the Education field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of experience supporting district or statewide literacy systems through the development or coordination of literacy guidance, tools, or professional learning aligned to evidence-based reading practices.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience leading or coordinating large-scale literacy initiatives (e.g., multi-school, districtwide, or statewide), including cross-functional collaboration and alignment across grade bands or instructional systems.
• Experience translating literacy research, policy, or guidance into implementation supports, such as frameworks, tools, protocols, or resources used by schools or districts.
• Experience overseeing complex literacy initiatives involving multiple partners, vendors, or funding streams, including coordination of timelines, deliverables, and implementation fidelity.
• Experience leading or implementing literacy systems within an MTSS framework that intentionally serves multilingual learners and students with disabilities, including alignment of instruction, intervention, and progress monitoring across general education, special education, and multilingual learner contexts.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees. Travel throughout the State is required.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please provide sufficient information on your application (and on separate pages, if necessary) to show that you satisfy the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Resumes may not be submitted in lieu of completing the employment application.

Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

BENEFITS

• STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. Individuals with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities. Approach accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.

All application materials must be received in our office by the Closing Date.