Human Services Developer (Literacy)

State of Ohio; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 41,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Ohio, Department of Children & Youth, seeks a subject matter expert in early language and literacy development to shape statewide professional learning. You will design, support, and improve literacy-focused training and resources for professionals across Ohio’s child-and-family-serving systems.

The role involves translating research into accessible tools, coordinating with state agencies, and guiding workforce development to improve outcomes from birth through early elementary years.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of literacy development, the Science of Reading, and early learning.

Responsibilities

• Design, support, and improve literacy-focused training and resources for professionals across Ohio’s child-and-family-serving systems.
• Collaborate with DCY and partner agencies to align statewide literacy initiatives and translate research into practical guidance.
• Monitor literacy research and develop accessible tools and guidance for the workforce serving families and children.

Skills

Human Services

Job description

Organization:

Department of Children & Youth

Agency Contact Name and Information:

[e-mail]

Work Location:

246 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio, 43215
United States

Compensation:

$36.01 per hour

Schedule:

Permanent - Full Time

Work Hours:

Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.

Classified Indicator:

Classified

Union:

1199

Primary Job Skill:

Human Services

Who We Are

Our mission is to promote positive, lifelong outcomes for Ohio youth through early intervention, quality education, and family support programs. At DCY, we offer our employees a rewarding work experience in public service helping Ohioans achieve a sustainable lifestyle that includes generous benefit options and a flexible work life balance making our agency a great place to work! To learn more about DCY, please visit our website at Department of Children and Youth | Ohio.gov.

Location Requirements

DCY’s core hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., however, daily start/end times may vary based on operational need across DCY divisions. Employees may begin as early as 7:00 a.m. and as late as 9:00 a.m., based on supervisory approval. This position performs work on-site daily at DCY’s office space.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will serve as DCY’s subject matter expert in early language and literacy development, shaping statewide professional learning that strengthens early childhood outcomes. You will work under general administrative direction to design, support, and improve literacy‑focused training and resources for professionals across Ohio’s child‑and family-serving systems. Much of your work involves applying research, evidence-based practices, and adult learning principles to create high-quality learning experiences that directly support the development and well‑being of children from birth through early elementary years.

You will collaborate with colleagues across DCY, partner agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure alignment on statewide literacy initiatives. You will also monitor emerging literacy research and translate it into accessible tools, training, and guidance that support Ohio’s workforce working with families and young children.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys combining expertise in literacy, curriculum and instructional design, and adult learning with cross‑agency collaboration, problem solving, and system‑level impact.

What The Work Typically Looks Like:

Research, Design & Development of Literacy Focused Professional Learning

You will spend much of your time developing, updating, and supporting high‑quality professional learning tied to early language and literacy. This includes:

• Serving as DCY’s expert on literacy and language development.
• Applying research, adult learning theory, and best practices to shape training content and statewide initiatives.
• Designing new courses, revising existing offerings, and working with vendors to ensure content accuracy and alignment.
• Creating guidance documents, tools, and resources to support consistent, high‑quality instructional design across DCY.
• Evaluating training materials developed by internal teams, vendors, and partner agencies to ensure they reflect DCY policy, procedures, and evidence‑based practice.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Cross‑Agency Alignment

Your role includes extensive coordination with internal and external partners to support shared literacy goals. You will:

• Collaborate with Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) to ensure DCY’s literacy‑related work aligns with statewide policy and practice.
• Engage with community agencies, professional networks, and other child‑serving systems on initiatives connected to early literacy and kindergarten readiness.
• Provide training and presentations to internal staff, external stakeholders, and regional partners.
• Offer technical assistance to staff who design or deliver professional learning.

Program Implementation, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

You will help bring initiatives from concept to practice by:

• Managing current professional development courses and overseeing updates to ensure alignment with the science of reading and early learning research.
• Using data and feedback to assess the effectiveness of learning programs and recommend improvements.
• Compiling reports summarizing outcomes, trends, or implementation progress.
• Supporting statewide professional development events, conferences, and cross-functional working groups.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

• Strong knowledge of literacy development, the Science of Reading, early learning, curriculum design, adult learning theory, and evidence‑based practices.
• Skill in instructional design, project management, data analysis, and learning technologies.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to collaborate across systems, build relationships, and support professionals from varied backgrounds.
• Comfort translating research into accessible, practical tools and training.
• Curiosity, critical thinking, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Ideal candidate holds a degree related to early language and literacy development and/or is certified through a specialized literacy training program such as LETRs, Orton‑Gillingham, or a program accredited through the International Dyslexia Association.

Pay Information

Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be step 1 of the salary range associated with this position. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Based on collective bargaining and legislative activity, there may be cost of living increases awarded annually. Additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the following table.

• Months of Employment
  • At Hire – Hourly $36.01, Annual $74,901
  • 6 Months – Hourly $37.75, Annual $78,520
  • 18 Months – Hourly $39.64, Annual $82,451
  • 30 Months – Hourly $41.53, Annual $86,382
  • 42 Months – Hourly $43.56, Annual $90,605
  • 54 Months – Hourly $45.72, Annual $95,098
  • 66 Months – Hourly $47.95, Annual $99,736
  • 78 Months – Hourly $50.37, Annual $104,770

Additional Information

Visa Sponsorship

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship.

Supplemental Questions

All answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education provided on your civil service application. Attachments will not be considered as part of your application.

Selection Process

Selection devices such as a structured interview, proficiency instrument, and/or assessment may be required for this position. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency with a passing score of applicable selection device to be considered for this position. Regardless of a passing or failing score, all results will be maintained for 6 months. Applicant with a passing score will be retained and utilized for a 6‑month period. Applicant with a failing score in the same position may not re‑take the same selection device for a 6‑month period.

Travel Requirements

Travel required, as needed. Must provide own transportation or in order to operate a state vehicle, you must have a valid driver’s license.

Background Check

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full‑time and part‑time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS & Optional Deferred Compensation Ohio Deferred Compensation

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Completion of undergraduate core program in social or behavioral science, health services public administration, public policy management or comparable field 36 mos. exp. in researching, developing or implementing policies related to social services, health services, public policy or comparable field 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in research methodology, measurement & testing, analysis of variance & survey sampling 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in use of computer hardware & software used for spreadsheets, statistical analysis, graphics presentation & word processing.

-Or completion of graduate course coursework in social or behavioral science, health services public administration, public policy management or comparable field 24 mos. exp. in researching, developing or implementing policies related to social services, health services, public policy or comparable field 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in use of computer hardware & software used for spreadsheets, statistical analysis, graphics presentation & word processing.

-Or 24 mos. exp. as Human Services Specialist 2, 69452, with experience commensurate with duties to be assigned per posting of job opportunity (e.g., if assignment is in area of policy development for aid to dependent children, education, training &/or experience must have been in area of aid to dependent children).

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Human Services

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug‑Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug‑free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non‑medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug‑Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.