Education Program Consultant (Continuous Improvement) - Keystone

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Elkader (IA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

IPERS retirement

Health insurance

Paid leave

Flexible regional work location

Job summary

Iowa Department of Education is seeking an Education Program Consultant (Continuous Improvement) to support Northeast Iowa schools and districts. You will lead professional learning, facilitate teams, and provide technical assistance to strengthen special education systems and student outcomes across counties such as Dubuque, Decorah, and Allamakee.

The role emphasizes collaboration with statewide leaders, flexible work location within Iowa, and a focus on evidence‑based practices to support

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Master’s degree and teaching/admin experience preferred.
• Experience in educational settings or public service environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead professional learning to implement evidence-based practices for SDI.
• Facilitate teams to improve instructional systems and outcomes.
• Provide technical assistance on instructional design and implementation.
• Support schools in moving to student-centered learning environments.
• Collaborate with educators, families, and stakeholders statewide.

Skills

Team leadership

Organization

Time management

Conflict resolution

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Job Description

At the Iowa Department of Education, our mission is to ensure every student experiences a world-class education. To achieve that mission, we need passionate professionals who are ready to make a meaningful difference for students, educators, and communities across Iowa.

We are seeking an Education Program Consultant (Continuous Improvement) to support schools and districts across Northeast Iowa, including the communities of Dubuque, Delaware, Clayton, Fayette, Chickasaw, Howard, Winneshiek, and Allamakee counties.

This region offers something unique: vibrant river communities, historic towns, strong local schools, scenic bluffs, outdoor recreation, and close‑knited communities where education truly matters. From the Mississippi River corridor to the rolling hills of Decorah and beyond, this is an opportunity to build your career while supporting students in one of Iowa’s most distinctive and beautiful regions.

In this role, you will help strengthen special education systems, improve student outcomes, and partner directly with educators to implement evidence‑based practices that support learners with academic and behavioral needs.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Regional Impact: Serve multiple school communities across Northeast Iowa and help improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
• Meaningful Work: Support inclusive practices, stronger instruction, and student success across diverse settings.
• Flexibility: Regional and flexible work location (must reside in Iowa).
• Professional Growth: Collaborate with statewide leaders and national experts in special education and continuous improvement.
• Quality of Life: Live and work in a region known for natural beauty, recreation, affordable living, and welcoming communities.

What You’ll Do

Lead Professional Learning & Systems Improvement

• Provide professional learning to support statewide implementation of evidence‑based practices for Specially Designed Instruction (SDI).
• Facilitate development and delivery teams that improve instructional systems.
• Provide technical assistance focused on instructional design, implementation, and student outcomes.
• Support schools in moving from exclusionary discipline practices to safe, predictable, student‑centered learning environments.
• Use implementation science to scale successful practices across districts and schools.

Support Educators & Student Success

• Design, develop, implement, and evaluate professional learning in areas such as:
  • Literacy
  • Postsecondary transition
  • Work‑based learning
  • Career and technical education
  • Related services
  • Required components of IDEA

Ensure Compliance & Program Effectiveness

• Support monitoring of IDEA implementation, including self‑assessments and data collection.
• Identify commendations, areas of noncompliance, and needed corrective actions.
• Assist districts with audit findings and improvement planning.
• Help develop and communicate policy, regulations, and statewide guidance.

Collaborate Across Iowa

• Serve on statewide teams focused on improving learning opportunities for students with disabilities.
• Build partnerships with educators, administrators, families, and community stakeholders.

What You Bring

• Passion for public service and improving outcomes for students
• Ability to lead teams and initiatives without direct supervisory authority
• Strong organization, prioritization, and time management skills
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal effectiveness
• Confidence working in complex environments and meeting deadlines
• Desire to collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, Some evenings/weekends required, with in‑state and occasional out‑of‑state travel.

What’s In It For You?

• Opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of Iowa students and families
• Supportive, collaborative work culture
• Flexible regional work location
• Talented colleagues who invest in your success
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and excellent benefits package, including IPERS retirement, health insurance, paid leave, and more

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 postgraduate 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; or
• 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.