Coordinator, Literacy Programs & Initiatives

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland State Department of Education is seeking a Coordinator of Literacy Programs and Initiatives to provide best-in-class program development, implementation, and support for prekindergarten through grade 12 programs and initiatives. This role is aligned with the Maryland State Literacy Standards and evidence-based practices such as the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy. The coordinator will offer content expertise and operational support for literacy and English Language Arts (ELA) programs, assisting Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in building and sustaining comprehensive literacy programs to improve instructional standards and ensure equitable access to evidence-based practices. This position is open to current MSDE permanent and contractual employees only.

Requirements

A Master’s degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work from an accredited college or university.
Five years of administrative or teaching experience in, or affiliated with, an education program.
Two years of experience in coordinating or administering an education program or service directly related to the position option.
One year of experience supporting district or statewide literacy systems through the development or coordination of literacy guidance, tools, or professional learning aligned to evidence-based reading practices.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading or coordinating large-scale literacy initiatives (e.g., multi-school, districtwide, or statewide), including cross-functional collaboration and alignment across grade bands or instructional systems.
Experience translating literacy research, policy, or guidance into implementation supports, such as frameworks, tools, protocols, or resources used by schools or districts.
Experience overseeing complex literacy initiatives involving multiple partners, vendors, or funding streams, including coordination of timelines, deliverables, and implementation fidelity.
Experience leading or implementing literacy systems within an MTSS framework that intentionally serve multilingual learners and students with disabilities, including alignment of instruction, intervention, and progress monitoring across general education, special education, and multilingual learner contexts.

Responsibilities

Develops, implements, and monitors literacy initiatives aligned to State and National Standards and MSDE policies.
Provides content expertise, policy guidance, and technical assistance to ensure LEAs meet literacy-related requirements under COMAR, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, and other state initiatives.
Coordinates with internal MSDE offices (Early Childhood, Assessment, Research, Special Education, etc.) to ensure coherent interpretation and implementation of literacy policy and data requirements.
Reviews and crosswalks local literacy plans, grant applications, and related submissions against MSDE policy requirements.
Prepares summary reports and recommendations for leadership and the State Board.
Proactively identifies implementation challenges, recommends solutions, and escalates issues to leadership when necessary.
Serves as a point of contact for LEAs, responding to inquiries and connecting them with MSDE resources.
Tracks LEA deliverables (e.g., literacy plans, reporting requirements) and maintain organized records of progress and compliance.
Designs, facilitates, and evaluates professional learning for LEA literacy leaders, with an emphasis on translating policy into classroom practice and monitoring follow-through.
Maintains detailed project plans, meeting notes, and follow-up actions to ensure accountability and continuity across MSDE teams and LEA partners.
Drafts communications, memos, and reports as directed by the Executive Director.