ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY ACT (ESEA) CONSOLIDATED PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Arizona State Government; Phoenix, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable health plans

Pension and long‑term disability plans

Paid holidays and leave

Vacation and sick time accrual

Parental leave and wellness programs

Job summary

The Arizona Department of Education seeks a seasoned director to lead Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) Consolidated programs from the Phoenix office. You will oversee ESSA compliance, grant administration, and program leadership across Title I and related funds.

Role emphasizes supervision, cross‑unit collaboration, and strategic planning to support equitable access to high‑quality education for Arizona students.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of ESEA, Arizona statutes and state/federal rules governing public education.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple program specialists and oversee ESEA Consolidated grants and compliance.
• Coordinate with Deputy Associate Superintendent on program development and evaluation.
• Oversee LEA portfolio management, grant monitoring and training.
• Ensure grants are budgeted and expended in compliance with grant requirements.
• Collaborate with agencies and schools to align program activities with state plans.

Skills

Leadership

Systems thinking

Problem-solving

Differentiated technical assistance

Plan development and evaluation

Professional learning delivery

Staff communication

Budget and resource allocation

Data analysis and interpretation

Grant review and compliance

MS Office & Adobe

Education

Bachelor's degree in education or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe products

Job description

Arizona Department of Education

The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY ACT (ESEA) CONSOLIDATED PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Job Location:

Title I Section

Phoenix Location

Posting Details:

Salary: $80,000 - $82,500

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 09/09/2026

Job Summary:

• This position provides leadership and supervision for programs within Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) as outlined in the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) Consolidated State Plan. This encompasses all ESEA Consolidated programs, including grants, programmatic leadership, compliance, training, and all other matters related to the agency's implementation of Arizona's ESSA state plan and other related and aligned state and local initiatives within Academic Achievement.
• This position will plan, organize, and lead in coordination with the Deputy Associate Superintendent, the unit's vision and mission of ESEA Consolidated for the state of Arizona as it relates to specific program and fund functions. The position supervises team members facilitating Local Education Agency (LEA) portfolio management, multiple grant fund management, monitoring, program compliance, and overall program leadership.
• Occasional in-state and rare out-of-state travel is required for this position.

Job Duties:

• Engage in comprehensive and collaborative performance management. Including but not limited to: Leading multiple program specialists, serving as program area lead as assigned by the Deputy Associate Superintendent in coordination with the Associate Superintendent and the agency, Grant approvals, feedback, and training, general program and staff management, compliance and program monitoring activities for grants assigned to ESEA Consolidated Application, as well as other grant applications and planning tools such as: Title I-A, Title 1-D, Subpart 2, Title II-A, Title Ill, RLIS, Title IV-A, Title V-B, McKinney-Vento
• Collaborate and assist in leading effective and quality programs to support the school district of Arizona in carrying out all duties aligned to the agency's mission, vision, and ESEA
• Work alongside the Deputy Associate Superintendent and Associate Superintendent to develop, refine, and evaluate programs
• Serve at the Deputy Associate Superintendent's direction in coordination with the Associate on projects and programs as the unit and agency determine
• Collaborate with specialists and local education agencies to ensure the effectiveness of LEA-level planning tools and grant applications
• Review planning tools and grant applications to ensure grantees are developing and implementing a compliant and effective program that accesses and expends fiscal resources to provide equitable access to a high-quality education for all students
• Review grant applications to ensure specialists are effective in ensuring that grant funds are appropriately budgeted and expended in accordance with grant program requirements, as well as state and federal law
• In coordination with the agency, this position will develop, coordinate, and direct assigned staff in implementing differentiated technical assistance, service, and support for schools, LEAs, educators for Title I programs, and other constituents
• Engage in aligned and applicable outreach activities with parents, families, and communities at the agency's discretion
• Ensure the provision of effective and positive customer service and support with external and internal constituents
• Engage in a high degree of collaboration with ADE program areas to help ensure ongoing alignment of program area activities with those of all ESEA Consolidated programs and other applicable state plans and initiatives and identify areas for cross-program area collaboration and coordination, and participate in agency divisional, unit, and team meetings and working groups and external partnerships in coordination with the Deputy Associate Superintendent
• Develop and provide differentiated professional learning opportunities, coaching, modeling, and technical assistance through face-to-face and virtual methods in collaboration with unit leadership, personnel, other ADE program areas, and/or external partners; professional learning includes but is not limited to opportunities related to quality development of school and LEA planning, professional development on program effectiveness for all ESEA programs, and working with staff to develop skills in professional learning and technical assistance

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Arizona Revised Statutes, and State Board of Education rules governing public education
• State and federal budgeting, compliance, and personnel procedures
• School leadership and District leadership in building effective federal programs that achieve student success
• Methods and instructional strategies that strengthen the academic program of a school and LEA, and help provide an accelerated and enriched curriculum and a well-rounded education
• The Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR), Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), and OMB Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG)
• Experience in managing and/or compliance monitoring Title I, Title II, Title III, RLIs, Title I-D, or Title IV-A, Title IV-B, and McKinney-Vento programs
• Methods of professional learning for strengthening fiscal accountability practices, allocations, and compliance
• Developing program evaluation techniques to meet the needs of at-risk students and strategies to strengthen school programs to provide an equitable and well-rounded education for all students
• Methods and instructional strategies that strengthen the academic program of a school and LEA, and help provide an accelerated and enriched curriculum and a well-rounded education
• Goals, objectives, and functions of programs served
• Applicants must have taught or administered an educational program
• A Bachelor's degree in education, or equivalent experience and knowledge of federal programs and requirements to substitute for the degree, is required
• Applicants must have supervisory experience

Skills in:

• Effective leadership and management techniques
• Applying systems thinking
• Appling problem-solving techniques, including root-cause analysis
• Providing differentiated technical assistance and support
• Plan development, implementation, and evaluation
• Creating and providing highly effective professional learning using a variety of delivery methods to a variety of audiences.
• Communicating effectively with staff, educators, administrators, and the public
• Budget and resource allocation
• Budgeting and finance practices
• Analysis, interpretation, and communication of data
• Program/project workload prioritizing, organization practices, and workflow efficiency to increase productivity
• Provide high-leverage feedback to specialists to improve work performance and service to districts
• Reviewing grant applications for the required criteria, provide high-leverage feedback on programs and grants, and approve grant applications.
• Competence in performing day-to-day activities using Microsoft products, Adobe products, and other computing products as determined

Ability to:

• Adapt to changes in compliance regulations and federal law professionally and quickly.
• Develop systems, messaging, and support aligned to the agency mission and vision to support change through the agency
• Process changes quickly, develop systems, and lead groups through change in a positive manner
• Absorb, synthesize, interpret, and apply highly technical, specialized knowledge of funding and financial compliance in all entitlement federal funding programs
• Develop training and support materials for specialists and LEAs based on agency, state, or federal updates
• Partner with stakeholders to provide guidance, training, and support
• Guide and support in designing, implementing, and evaluating effective and compliant programs with designing training programs to assist specialists and districts
• Absorb highly technical, specialized knowledge related to the ESEA Consolidated Grant Application and other federal, state, and local programs
• Coach district leaders in program effectiveness
• Coach and model effective practice for program specialists
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Work independently and/or collaboratively in large or small groups as necessary
• Lead a diverse team
• Communicate clearly and concisely with audiences with differing knowledge and expertise when conveying ideas, suggestions, and proposals
• Manage multiple ongoing projects and programs to meet urgent/critical deadlines.
• Maintain a professional demeanor in daily duties and while representing the agency when working with internal and external partners/stakeholders
• Gather and disaggregate data to make data-driven decisions and or use data provided to make recommendations
• Assist with programs and projects at agency discretion and need
• Manage, lead, and coach a portfolio of diverse LEAs across multiple program areas and grant funds

Selective Preference(s):

• Three or more years of combined professional experience at the federal, state, tribal, local education agency or school level related to education or PD-12 students, including experience working with Federal Title programs
• Experience managing federal programs, to include fiscal and programmatic management and reporting

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.
• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• Ten paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.

Contact Us:

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling [phone] or emailing [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.