oelas education program specialist

Department of Education

The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.
OELAS Education Program Specialist
Job Location:

Address: Office of English Language Acquisition Services (OELAS) Section

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Posting Details
Salary: $67,000 - $70,400

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 11/16/25

Job Summary

• Guide, support and monitor Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in the implementation of the Language Development Approach (LDA) and Structured English Immersion (SEI) Models to ensure program compliance with both state and federal mandates.
• Develop and implement professional development for effective instruction of English Learners (ELs).
• Support LEAs in building and maintaining effective EL programs.
• Local, in-state, and some 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 an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

Job Duties

• Provide professional development to include a focus on Arizona's SEI Models and ELP Standards. This will be provided by methods including face to face, webinars and online courses.
• Complete statewide evaluation and monitoring of state and federally funded programs.
• Prepare program-specific technical and administrative reports.
• Provide appropriate feedback and ongoing technical assistance to LEAs.
• Stay informed/updated regarding Title III and State requirements.
• Support LEAs in implementing state and federal authorizing legislation, all program guidance and regulations.
• Serve on task forces, committees and special assignments, as requested.
• Work with other divisions within the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), helping to coordinate their activities, as well as applicable state plans.
• Attend departmental, divisional, and team meetings; be prepared to receive and present information that is tied to program-specific activities, statistical data being generated, budgeting, agency-wide strategic planning, and departmental policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned related to the position.

Knowledge In
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Arizona's LDA and the SEI Models
• ELP standards and the Arizona Academic standards
• Methodologies and strategies for instructing ELs
• Curriculum design, and the instructional needs of the ELs
• Data-driven instruction, summative and formative assessment
• Adult learning principles
• State and federal policies, laws, and regulations pertaining to Title III/EL programs
• State-wide assessments which include AZELLA and AASA
• Applicants must have taught or administered an EL program.
• A Bachelor's degree in education, a related field, or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required.

Skills In

• Demonstrate professional communication skills, both verbal and written
• Articulate critical components of compliance for EL programs and instruction
• Teach the structure and conventions of the English language
• Use the Arizona ELP Standards in instructional planning and implementation of instruction for ELs
• Disaggregate data for decision making
• Develop and provide professional development using a variety of delivery methods
• Deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations internally and externally
• Intermediate to Expert experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and online platforms (i.e., Zoom, Teams, Google Meets)

Ability To

• Exhibit professional demeanor at all times
• Communicate effectively, both written and verbally
• Develop, deliver, and facilitate effective professional learning
• Analyze data and propose goals, objectives, and strategies to problem solve
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Selective Preference(s)

• Master's degree in a field relevant to English Language Acquisition
• Current Arizona teaching certificate

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
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
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 or emailing Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.