Education Program Specialist

State of Ohio•Columbus, OH

About The Position

About Us: The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is a diverse team of passionate, education-focused professionals responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education for each of Ohio’s 1.7 million students. The Department provides the resources and supports essential to raising student achievement and accelerating learning opportunities, advancing the connectivity between K-12 and postsecondary learning, creating programs to support and expand workforce experiences, and ensuring students have the necessary supports to be ready each day to learn. As the governing body responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education within the State of Ohio, the Department of Education and Workforce is dedicated to promoting educational excellence and ensuring equal access to learning opportunities for all students. The Department is committed to collaborating with schools, districts, educators, students, families, businesses, nonprofits and all stakeholders to achieve our educational goals. Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check as well as other investigative reviews. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position, unless restricted under state or federal law or federal restrictions. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration. Only For Unclassified Positions\: The final applicant for this position will be required to submit urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to an appointment. The State will decline to extend a final offer of employment to any applicant with a verified positive test result. Also, an applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that values diversity and seeks talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class. Questions or concerns about this should be directed to the Office of Human Resources ([email protected]). The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting. At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website ! Our benefits package includes: Medical Coverage Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more) Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation ) Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this 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.

Benefits

Medical Coverage
Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

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