Education Program Consultant (Accreditation)

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Difference for kids

Collaborative work environment

Learning and growth opportunities

Collaboration with national experts

Employee discounts

Job summary

Iowa Department of Education seeks a dedicated professional to provide guidance on accreditation compliance and technical assistance related to special education accreditation requirements. The role includes on-site visits, collaboration with educators, and participating in cross-functional teams to strengthen Iowa’s education system.

Applicants should bring strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and a commitment to public service, with experience in educational settings and regulatory

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and five years of post-graduate work experience in education or related fields.
• Experience providing technical assistance and professional learning to educators.
• Experience in educational policy, accreditation or regulatory contexts.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and support to schools and providers on accreditation compliance.
• Assist with special education accreditation requirements and on-site visits.
• Help establish processes for private providers to become accredited in Iowa.
• Participate in department meetings and cross-team projects.
• Support special education accreditation visits to districts and schools.

Skills

Strong technical skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical mindset

Public service mindset

Educator support experience

Interpret regulatory language

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Diversity collaboration

Education

Master's degree

Iowa Teaching Certificate

School Business Official Authorization

Job description

Job Description

Iowa Department of Education's mission is ensuring all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

Job Description

Iowa Department of Education's mission is ensuring all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

Your Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and support to schools and providers related to federal and state programs, specifically accreditation compliance with Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 41.
• Provide technical assistance aligned to special education accreditation requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, annual special education desk audits and intensive on-site visits.
• Serve as a member of the team that will establish a process and standards for private special education providers to become accredited in the State of Iowa.
• Participate in comprehensive efforts of the Department, division and bureau, including Department, Division and Bureau meetings and assigned work teams.
• Participate in special education accreditation visits to Iowa districts/schools. Support process and procedures outlined in Iowa Code.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the state and federal policy and the impact of proposed legislation on the bureaus and the programs it oversees.
• Support the Department priorities through performing other duties as assigned by the Bureau Chief or Administrative Consultant.

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

Successful Candidate Will Bring or Have the Ability and Desire to Learn

• Passion for pursuing common goals in pursuit of public service
• Strong technical skills
• Strategic and analytical mindset
• Ability to work in complex situations and meet deadlines while leading teams as a non-traditional leader (no supervisory authority)
• Experience providing technical assistance and professional learning to educators
• Ability to interpret and break down highly technical or regulatory language, and present information in an understandable manner
• Ability to manage self in relation to prioritization and time management
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
• Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of children, their families, and Iowa communities
• Collaborative, positive work environment
• Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and benefits package:
  https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/employment/Benefits_Beyond_the_Paycheck.pdf

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and five years of full-time post-graduate work experience in any one or a combination of the following areas:
• Professional training, teaching, or counseling experience in an educational setting;
• Professional administrative experience in an educational setting;
• Professional finance, accounting, or auditing experience, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements;
• Professional experience in a major technical program area housed within the Iowa Department of Education;
• Professional data integration, data analysis, and statistical analysis experience;
• Professional communications experience, including public relations, marketing, or journalism;
• Professional school safety and emergency preparedness experience.
• A combination of a total of five years of post-graduate education and full-time experience (as described in number one), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited post-graduate college or university course work equals one year of full-time experience.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree, possession of a valid Iowa Teaching Certificate, and three academic years of teaching and/or administrative experience in PK-12 and/or a post-secondary educational institution.
• Possession of a School Business Official Authorization from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and seven years of full-time professional experience in finance, accounting, or auditing, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements.