Education Program Consultant

Iowa Department of Education's mission is ensuring all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

The Education Program Consultant (Continuous Improvement) will be an integral member of the Division of Special Education, providing guidance and expertise on special education.

Your Responsibilities:

• Provide professional learning for the statewide scaling and implementation of evidence-based practices for the delivery of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) for students with academic and behavioral needs. This includes participation in existing statewide collaborative implementation and scaling structures, including:
• facilitation of development and delivery teams;
• providing technical assistance focusing on evaluation for instructional design;
• designing instruction and delivering instruction and other supports;
• helping districts, schools and classrooms move from exclusionary discipline practices, to creating safe, predictable learning environments for students with academic and behavioral health needs;
• using implementation science to support scaling and implementation efforts.
• Design, develop, implement, and/or support the evaluation of evidence-based professional learning in the areas of, but not limited to, literacy, post-secondary education, work-based learning, career and technical education, related services, required components of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
• Serve on work teams to develop and deliver integrated statewide efforts related to professional development focused on increasing quality learning opportunities for students with disabilities.
• Support monitoring of IDEA implementation, including self-assessment and data collection activities, to identify areas of commendation and areas of noncompliance that require corrective action.
• Participate in the development and dissemination of policy guidance, regulations, and program guidance in all areas of responsibility.
• Manage the resolution of audit findings, provide technical assistance to districts, and support districts in developing and implementing corrective action activities.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the state and federal policy and the impact of proposed legislation on the bureaus and the programs it oversees.
• Support the Department priorities through performing other duties as assigned.

Candidates are encouraged to include detailed information about their relevant experience in their application, or submit a cover letter and resume in addition to their application.

To ensure full consideration for this position, all requested materials must be completed and uploaded through the NEOGov online application process.

If you wish to review a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire, please contact

Hours: 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M., Monday – Friday; some nights and weekends, in-state and occasional out-of-state travel

A successful candidate will bring or have the ability and desire to learn:

• Passion for pursuing common goals in pursuit of public service
• Ability to work in complex situations and meet deadlines while leading teams as a non-traditional leader (no supervisory authority)
• Ability to manage self in relation to prioritization and time management
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
• Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of children, their families, and Iowa communities
• Collaborative, positive work environment
• Regional and flexible work location
• Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and benefits package:

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Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and five years of full-time post-graduate work experience in any one or a combination of the following areas:

a. Professional training, teaching, or counseling experience in an educational setting;

b. Professional administrative experience in an educational setting;

c. Professional finance, accounting, or auditing experience, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements;

d. Professional experience in a major technical program area housed within the Iowa Department of Education;

e. Professional data integration, data analysis, and statistical analysis experience;

f. Professional communications experience, including public relations, marketing, or journalism; or

g. Professional school safety and emergency preparedness experience.

2) 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.

3) 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.

4) 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.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)