Education Program Consultant (Career and Technical Education)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Impact on students and communities

Collaborative work environment

Professional growth opportunities

National collaboration with education

Employee discounts

Job summary

Iowa Department of Education is seeking an Education Program Consultant in the Career and Technical Education Bureau to connect classroom learning with practical skills and career opportunities. You’ll support educators, develop CTE programs, and coordinate statewide activities to prepare students for their next steps.

The role emphasizes collaboration with schools and community colleges, leadership without direct supervisory authority, and a commitment to public service.

Qualifications

• Commitment to public service and improving educational opportunities.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to guide collaborative work without direct supervisory authority.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with educators to strengthen applied science instruction and CTE programming.
• Provide leadership and guidance on CTE programming, administration, budgets, finance, and accountability.
• Coordinate with K–12 schools and community colleges to develop and improve CTE programs, services, and activities.
• Assist schools and community colleges with developing grant applications and review expenditures for compliance.
• Translate technical and regulatory information into practical guidance for educators and administrators.

Skills

Technical proficiency

Analytical thinking

Educational program support

Communication skills

Collaboration

Job description

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.

The Iowa Department of Education’s mission is ensuring all students experience a world-class education. We’re looking for talented, passionate professionals to help build an education system that empowers every student to achieve their full potential.

As an Education Program Consultant within the Career and Technical Education Bureau, you’ll help Iowa schools and community colleges strengthen programs that connect classroom learning with practical skills and career opportunities.

You’ll work directly with educators in classroom settings to support and improve their applied science programs, with an emphasis on engineering, manufacturing, architecture and construction, or transportation. Through educator support, program development, and statewide coordination, you’ll help create meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for their next steps.

What You’ll Do:

Work Directly with Educators

• Partner with educators in classroom settings to strengthen applied science instruction and CTE programming.
• Provide technical assistance and professional learning to support program development and improvement.
• Build strong working relationships with educators, school districts, and community colleges across Iowa.

Strengthen CTE Programs

• Provide leadership and guidance on CTE programming, administration, budgets, finance, and accountability.
• Coordinate with K–12 schools and community colleges to develop and improve CTE programs, services, and activities.
• Support programs focused on engineering, manufacturing, architecture and construction, or transportation.

Support Grant Administration and Accountability

• Assist schools and community colleges with developing grant applications.
• Review grant applications and support the approval process.
• Review expenditures and requests for payment to ensure they meet applicable requirements.

Help Schools Put Requirements into Practice

• Support alignment with the federal Carl D. Perkins legislation.
• Translate technical and regulatory information into clear, practical guidance educators and administrators can use.

Collaborate Across the Department

• Contribute to Department, Division, and Bureau initiatives, meetings, and assigned work groups.
• Assist with additional CTE responsibilities that support the Department’s mission.

What We’re Looking For:

A successful candidate will bring, or demonstrate the ability and desire to develop, the following:

• A commitment to public service and improving educational opportunities for Iowa students.
• Strong technical skills and a strategic, analytical approach to problem‑solving.
• The ability to guide collaborative work and lead teams without direct supervisory authority.
• Clear communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical or regulatory information.
• Strong organization, prioritization, and time management skills.
• The ability to navigate complex situations, resolve conflicts, and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an interest in working with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing technical assistance and professional learning to educators.
• Experience interpreting and implementing state or federal education law.

Work Environment & Schedule

Standard hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Some evening and weekend work is required, along with occasional in-state and out-of-state travel.

This role includes working directly with educators in classroom settings to support their applied science and CTE programs.

What’s In It for You?

• Opportunities to make a meaningful difference for Iowa students, families, and communities.
• A collaborative, positive work environment.
• Talented, passionate colleagues who support your learning and professional growth.
• Opportunities to collaborate with education experts from across the country.
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors.
• A competitive salary and State of Iowa benefits package.

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.

563 Educational Policy

• Applicant should demonstrate a minimum of 1 year experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the area of developing and managing local, state, or federal educational policy.
• 713 Secondary or Higher Education:
  • 6 months' experience as a teacher/instructor, counselor, or administrator in a public or private secondary or higher education (college, university, or community college) setting which included:
  • Analyzing and assessing work and education history of students and applying it to career goals
  • Communicating with program participants of varying academic and vocational abilities.
  • Participating in school-to-work programs in both the public and private sector.
• AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
  • 160 Teaching/Training:
    • 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in instructing students individually or in groups – this includes preparing materials, delivering material (i.e., lectures, presentations, demonstrations), keeping records of student progress and communicating progress to students.
  • 186 Education:
    • 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in education, instructional design, or a closely-related field.
  • 203 Instructional Design:
    • 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in all of the following:
    • Determining the current state and needs of the learner
    • Defining the end goal of instruction
    • Creating a plan to bridge the gap between the current state of the learner and the end goal of instruction
    • Evaluation of this training
  • 572 Competency‑Based Education Experience:
    • Applicant should demonstrate a minimum of 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the area of competency-based education structures.
  • 573 Curriculum and Instructional Design:
    • Applicant should demonstrate a minimum of 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the area of educational curriculum and instructional design and implementation.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.