Education Program Specialist

Ohio Department of Administrative Services•Columbus, OH

About The Position

On behalf of the Office of Academic Success, serves as a Leading and Learning Program Specialist by providing internal and external implementation support on instruction, leadership, Ohio’s Learning Standards, Ohio’s Model Curricula, and high-quality instructional materials. · Serves as an unclassified employee pursuant to Section 3301.13 ORC and performs the following educational and/or research duties: · Collaborates with internal colleagues, regional partners, and state organizations to assist school and district leadership in implementing coherent, standards-aligned instruction through integrated models and leadership frameworks; · Develops guidance documents, practical implementation tools, and professional learning that align with integrated models, supporting instructional leaders in navigating and implementing new standards, curriculum revisions, and coherent instruction. · Supports and facilitates statewide instructional leadership networks leveraging internal, regional, and organizational expertise. · Stays current about research and national trends specific to K-12 instructional strategies, standards implementation, curriculum selection and implementation, leadership models, and the science of learning; · Manages communications and outreach to professional organizations and other stakeholders that support the educational community in the implementation of policy or agency initiatives. · Initiates and models active and collaborative leadership across departments/programs to support K-12 leaders and learners; Works with districts, schools, educational service centers, and state support teams in supporting leadership, implementation, and curriculum needs; · Supports leadership in policy implementation and compliance; · Delivers strong customer service to stakeholders including outstanding communication and interpersonal skills; and · Successfully manages multiple projects and initiatives · Provides support to teacher networks, administrators, superintendents and university personnel to design & develop pre & in-service professional learning activities (e.g., conducts workshops; organizes conferences & regional meetings); · Develops, supports, and maintains high-quality synchronous and asynchronous professional learning courses and trainings for state, regional, and district leaders that align with agency and team priorities, including Learning Management System courses, web-based courses, professional learning series, webinars, and in-person trainings to support Ohio educators; · Conducts, stays abreast and disseminates latest research, literature and best practices specific to K-12 instruction and leadership (e.g., reads research, stays in contact with national research initiatives); · Works in collaboration with other state agency or Department staff (e.g., ODEW content specialists, program specialists in other offices) to identify & develop inter-disciplinary relationships; · Recommends strategies for interdisciplinary curricular instruction. Artificial Intelligence Leverage AI powered platforms (such as adaptive learning systems, automated feedback tools, or data driven curriculum supports) to enhance teaching and learning. This includes identifying high quality AI tools, modeling effective use for educators, and ensuring alignment with state standards and instructional vision. Use AI driven analytics to interpret student performance data, identify learning trends, and support continuous improvement. Apply these insights to guide instructional recommendations, professional learning content, and statewide achievement initiatives. Collaborate with content, policy, and implementation teams to design or refine resources—such as model curricula, guidance documents, and universal professional learning—that incorporate AI enabled strategies for differentiation, formative assessment, and personalized instruction. Implementation Teams Facilitate data-informed instructional problem solving with implementation teams using the Department created common learning walk tool. Support instructional implementation teams with structured data analysis routines, such as using needs assessments, progress monitoring data, and Instructional Practice Guide observations to identify strengths, needs, and next steps in instruction. Guide teams in developing SMART goals, implementing integrated MTSS processes, and using data to refine instructional plans. Partner with instructional implementation teams to model and support the adoption of evidence based instructional practices and high quality instructional materials (HQIM). Offer coaching, guidance, and implementation support to ensure fidelity of instructional shifts across classrooms and alignment to statewide priorities.

Requirements

6 years' experience in a K-12 leadership role, educational program or service
current valid driver’s license or ability to secure transportation when travel is required

Responsibilities

Collaborates with internal colleagues, regional partners, and state organizations to assist school and district leadership in implementing coherent, standards-aligned instruction through integrated models and leadership frameworks
Develops guidance documents, practical implementation tools, and professional learning that align with integrated models, supporting instructional leaders in navigating and implementing new standards, curriculum revisions, and coherent instruction.
Supports and facilitates statewide instructional leadership networks leveraging internal, regional, and organizational expertise.
Stays current about research and national trends specific to K-12 instructional strategies, standards implementation, curriculum selection and implementation, leadership models, and the science of learning
Manages communications and outreach to professional organizations and other stakeholders that support the educational community in the implementation of policy or agency initiatives.
Initiates and models active and collaborative leadership across departments/programs to support K-12 leaders and learners
Works with districts, schools, educational service centers, and state support teams in supporting leadership, implementation, and curriculum needs
Supports leadership in policy implementation and compliance
Delivers strong customer service to stakeholders including outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
Successfully manages multiple projects and initiatives
Provides support to teacher networks, administrators, superintendents and university personnel to design & develop pre & in-service professional learning activities (e.g., conducts workshops; organizes conferences & regional meetings)
Develops, supports, and maintains high-quality synchronous and asynchronous professional learning courses and trainings for state, regional, and district leaders that align with agency and team priorities, including Learning Management System courses, web-based courses, professional learning series, webinars, and in-person trainings to support Ohio educators
Conducts, stays abreast and disseminates latest research, literature and best practices specific to K-12 instruction and leadership (e.g., reads research, stays in contact with national research initiatives)
Works in collaboration with other state agency or Department staff (e.g., ODEW content specialists, program specialists in other offices) to identify & develop inter-disciplinary relationships
Recommends strategies for interdisciplinary curricular instruction
Leverage AI powered platforms (such as adaptive learning systems, automated feedback tools, or data driven curriculum supports) to enhance teaching and learning. This includes identifying high quality AI tools, modeling effective use for educators, and ensuring alignment with state standards and instructional vision.
Use AI driven analytics to interpret student performance data, identify learning trends, and support continuous improvement. Apply these insights to guide instructional recommendations, professional learning content, and statewide achievement initiatives.
Collaborate with content, policy, and implementation teams to design or refine resources—such as model curricula, guidance documents, and universal professional learning—that incorporate AI enabled strategies for differentiation, formative assessment, and personalized instruction.
Facilitate data-informed instructional problem solving with implementation teams using the Department created common learning walk tool.
Support instructional implementation teams with structured data analysis routines, such as using needs assessments, progress monitoring data, and Instructional Practice Guide observations to identify strengths, needs, and next steps in instruction.
Guide teams in developing SMART goals, implementing integrated MTSS processes, and using data to refine instructional plans.
Partner with instructional implementation teams to model and support the adoption of evidence based instructional practices and high quality instructional materials (HQIM).
Offer coaching, guidance, and implementation support to ensure fidelity of instructional shifts across classrooms and alignment to statewide priorities.