Education Program Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Title I Section

Phoenix Location

This position will engage in leadership, coaching, and support for the implementation and evaluation of grant programs within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). This includes a high degree of collaboration with Local Education Agencies (LEAs) as well as other ADE programs areas to design, develop and support academic programming around the state which supports federal programs.
This position is a leadership position which coaches LEAs to build capacity in building effective ESEA Programs. This position requires a high degree of knowledge in grants as well as school leadership with program monitoring and evaluation.
This position also requires a diverse and broad understanding of all ESEA programs and associated programs like McKinney-Vento and Equitable Services. This position will also serve in special leadership and point of contact roles as assigned, and may serve as the state point of contact for any ESEA program, such as:
o 21St CCLC
o Foster Care
o Homeless
o Equitable Services
o Monitoring
o Comparability
o Professional Development
o Rural Schools
o Expanding and closing schools
Occasional in-state and rare out-of-state travel is required for this position.
The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

Engage in comprehensive and collaborative performance management. Including but not limited to: Grant approvals, management, compliance and program monitoring activities for grants assigned to Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Consolidated Application, as well as other grant applications and planning tools such as: Title I-A, Title I-D, Subpart 2, Title II-A, Title III, RLIS, Title IV-A, Title V-B, McKinney-Vento
Collaborate with Local Education Agencies to ensure effectiveness with LEA-level planning tools and grants applications
Review planning tools and grant applications to ensure grantees are developing and implementing a compliant and effective program that is accessing and expending fiscal resources to provide equitable access to a high-quality education for all students
Review grant applications to ensure grant funds are appropriately budgeted and expended in accordance with grant program requirements, as well as state and federal law
Lead and participate in monitoring programs for compliance and effectiveness with the direction of the Director and Deputy Associate Superintendent
Prepare and complete administrative and monitoring reports as well as provide grantees with guidance on state and federal budgeting and funding compliance in accordance with the Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR), Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), and OMB Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG) while providing exemplary customer service
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
Engage in a high degree of collaboration with ADE program areas to improve processes, procedures, communication, and services to the field and align internal processes with grants, specifically in state and federal budgeting and funding compliance
Serving as a point of contact with local, state, or national committees as approved by the Deputy Associate Superintendent
Work alongside the Director and Deputy Associate Superintendent to develop, refine, and evaluate programs
Serve at the director's direction in coordination with the Deputy Associate on projects and programs as the unit and agency determine

Knowledge in:
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Arizona Revised Statutes, and State Board of Education rules governing public education
School leadership and District leadership with building effective federal programs which 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
State and federal budgeting and compliance procedures State and federal budgeting and compliance procedures
The Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR), Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), and OMB Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG)
 Knowledge of and/or experience working in or managing one or more of the following programs: 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
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
A Bachelor's degree in Education or Public Administration or related field, or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required.
Skills in:
Applying systems thinking
Problem solving techniques, to include 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 educators, administrators, and the public
Budget and resource allocation
Budgeting and finance practices
Analysis, interpretation, and communication of data
Exemplary customer service and communication
Work and collaborate in teams
Program/project workload prioritizing, organization practices, and workflow efficiency
Reviewing grant applications for the required criteria, providing high leverage feedback on programs and grants, 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
Absorb, synthesize, interpret, and apply highly technical, specialized knowledge of funding and financial compliance in all entitlement funding programs
Partner with stakeholders to provide guidance, training, and support
Guide and support grantees in designing, implementing, and evaluating effective and compliant programs
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
Establish and maintain effective working relationships
Work independently and/or collaboratively in large or small groups as necessary
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 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) across multiple program areas and grant funds

Preference will be given to those applicants who have experience with:
Title programs
Rural schools
Equitable Services
Foster Care Education
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

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).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
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 pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

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.

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 (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.