Education Program Consultant (Continuous Improvement - Grant Wood)

State of Iowa; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Iowa seeks an Education Program Consultant to guide continuous improvement and the statewide deployment of evidence-based practices in special education. The role supports school districts in delivering highly effective instruction and behavioral supports for students with disabilities.

You will collaborate with teams across the Iowa Department of Education to design professional learning, evaluate program effectiveness, and ensure compliance with federal IDEA requirements.

Qualifications

• Capable of providing professional learning and technical assistance to educators.
• Experience interpreting and communicating complex regulatory language.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a public-sector environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional learning for statewide scaling and implementation of evidence-based practices for SDI.
• Support districts in delivering Specially Designed Instruction for students with academic and behavioral needs.
• Participate in statewide collaborative implementation and scaling structures and facilitate development and delivery teams.
• Design, develop, and evaluate evidence-based professional learning in literacy, post-secondary education, work-based learning, and related services.
• Support monitoring of IDEA implementation, including data collection and identifying corrective actions.
• Develop and disseminate policy guidance, regulations, and program guidance across responsibilities.
• Manage audit findings resolution and provide technical assistance to districts.

Skills

Technical skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Educator support

Education

Master’s degree, teaching certificate

Job description

Education Program Consultant(Continuous Improvement – Grant Wood)

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.

The Education Program Consultant(Continuous Improvement – Grant Wood) will be an integral member of the Division of Special Education, providing guidance and expertise on special education.

Your Responsibilities:

• Provide professional learning for the statewide scaling and implementation of evidence-based practices


• for the delivery of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) for students with academic and behavioral needs.


• This includes participation in existing statewide collaborative implementation and scaling structures,


• Including:
  
  
  
  • facilitation of development and delivery teams;
  
  
  • providing technical assistance focusing on evaluation for instructional design;
  
  
  • designing instruction and delivering instruction and other supports;
  
  
  • helping districts, schools and classrooms move from exclusionary discipline practices, to creating safe, predictable learning environments for students with academic and behavioral health needs;
  
  
  • using implementation science to support scaling and implementation efforts.
  
  
  
  


• Design, develop, implement, and/or support the evaluation of evidence-based professional learning in the


• areas of, but not limited to, literacy, post-secondary education, work-based learning, career and technical education, related services, required components of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.


• Serve on work teams to develop and deliver integrated statewide efforts related to professional development focused on increasing quality learning opportunities for students with disabilities.


• Support monitoring of IDEA implementation, including self-assessment and data collection activities, to identify areas of commendation and areas of noncompliance that require corrective action.


• Participate in the development and dissemination of policy guidance, regulations, and program guidance in all areas of responsibility.


• Manage the resolution of audit findings, provide technical assistance to districts, and support districts in developing and implementing corrective action activities.


• 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.

Hours:

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

A 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.

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:

a. Professional training, teaching, or counseling experience in an educational setting;

b. Professional administrative experience in an educational setting;

c. Professional finance, accounting, or auditing experience, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements;

d. Professional experience in a major technical program area housed within the Iowa Department of Education;

e. Professional data integration, data analysis, and statistical analysis experience;

f. Professional communications experience, including public relations, marketing, or journalism; or

g. 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.