Elementary And Secondary Act (Esea) Consolidated Program Director

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The ESEA Consolidated Program Director provides leadership and supervision for programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), as outlined in the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) Consolidated State Plan. The role encompasses ESEA Consolidated grants, program leadership, compliance, training, and other matters related to implementing Arizona’s ESSA state plan and aligned state and local initiatives within Academic Achievement.

In coordination with the Deputy Associate Superintendent, the Director plans, organizes, and leads the unit’s vision and mission for ESEA Consolidated programs in Arizona. The position supervises staff responsible for Local Education Agency (LEA) portfolio management, grant-fund management, monitoring, compliance, and program leadership. It also develops and directs differentiated technical assistance, professional learning, coaching, and support for schools, LEAs, educators, and other constituents. Occasional in-state and rare out-of-state travel is required.

Requirements

• Must have taught or administered an educational program.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, or equivalent experience and knowledge of federal programs and requirements that can substitute for the degree.
• Supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of ESEA, Arizona Revised Statutes, and State Board of Education rules governing public education.
• Knowledge of state and federal budgeting, compliance, and personnel procedures.
• Knowledge of school and district leadership in building effective federal programs that support student success.
• Knowledge of instructional strategies and methods that strengthen school and LEA academic programs and support accelerated, enriched, and well-rounded education.
• Knowledge of the Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR), Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), and OMB Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG).
• Knowledge of professional learning methods for strengthening fiscal accountability, allocations, and compliance.
• Knowledge of program evaluation techniques and strategies for meeting the needs of at-risk students and strengthening equitable, well-rounded school programs.
• Knowledge of the goals, objectives, and functions of the programs served.
• Skills in leadership, management, systems thinking, problem-solving, root-cause analysis, technical assistance, and support.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate plans and provide effective professional learning to varied audiences using different delivery methods.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, educators, administrators, and the public.
• Skills in budget and resource allocation, budgeting and finance practices, and analysis, interpretation, and communication of data.
• Ability to prioritize workloads, organize programs and projects, improve workflow efficiency, and manage multiple ongoing projects to urgent or critical deadlines.
• Ability to provide high-leverage feedback to specialists, review grant applications, provide feedback on programs and grants, and approve applications.
• Competence with Microsoft products, Adobe products, and other computing products as needed.
• Ability to adapt promptly and professionally to changes in compliance regulations and federal law.
• Ability to develop systems, messaging, training, and support materials aligned with agency, state, or federal updates and lead groups through change.
• Ability to absorb, synthesize, interpret, and apply specialized knowledge of funding and financial compliance, including ESEA Consolidated and other federal, state, and local programs.
• Ability to partner with stakeholders to provide guidance, training, and support and to guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of effective, compliant programs.
• Ability to coach district leaders in program effectiveness and coach and model effective practice for program specialists.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships, work independently or collaboratively, lead a diverse team, and communicate clearly with audiences of differing knowledge and expertise.
• Ability to gather and disaggregate data to make data-driven decisions or use provided data to make recommendations.
• Ability to assist with programs and projects as required by agency needs and manage, lead, and coach a portfolio of diverse LEAs across multiple program areas and grant funds.
• Successful completion of background and reference checks, required documents, and, if applicable, a post-offer medical or physical evaluation.
• Successful completion of the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify) as a newly hired State employee.
• Driver’s license requirements apply if driving or using a vehicle for State business is an essential job function.

Nice To Haves

• Three or more years of combined professional experience at the federal, state, tribal, local education agency, or school level related to education or PD-12 students, including experience working with Federal Title programs.
• Experience managing federal programs, including fiscal and programmatic management and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple program specialists and serve as program-area lead when assigned by the Deputy Associate Superintendent, in coordination with the Associate Superintendent and the agency.
• Oversee grant approvals, feedback, training, program and staff management, compliance, and monitoring for grants assigned to the ESEA Consolidated Application and other grant applications and planning tools.
• Collaborate in leading effective programs that support Arizona school districts in carrying out duties aligned with the agency’s mission, vision, and ESEA.
• Work with the Deputy Associate Superintendent and Associate Superintendent to develop, refine, and evaluate programs.
• Undertake projects and programs at the Deputy Associate Superintendent’s direction, in coordination with the Associate Superintendent.
• Collaborate with specialists and LEAs to ensure the effectiveness of LEA-level planning tools and grant applications.
• Review planning tools and grant applications to ensure grantees develop and implement compliant, effective programs that use fiscal resources to provide equitable access to high-quality education.
• Review grant applications to ensure funds are appropriately budgeted and expended in accordance with program requirements and state and federal law.
• Develop, coordinate, and direct assigned staff in providing differentiated technical assistance, services, and support to schools, LEAs, educators, and other constituents for Title I and other programs.
• Engage in outreach activities with parents, families, and communities as directed by the agency.
• Ensure effective, positive customer service and support for internal and external constituents.
• Collaborate with ADE program areas to align activities with ESEA Consolidated programs and other applicable state plans and initiatives, identify opportunities for cross-program coordination, and participate in agency meetings, working groups, and external partnerships.
• Develop and provide differentiated professional learning, coaching, modeling, and technical assistance through in-person and virtual methods, including support for school and LEA planning and program effectiveness.
• Work with staff to develop skills in professional learning and technical assistance.

Benefits

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement and long-term disability plans.
• Ten paid holidays per year.
• Vacation accrual of 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first three years.
• Sick time accrual of 3.70 hours bi-weekly.
• Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child, through a pilot program.
• Deferred compensation plan.
• Wellness plans.
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), subject to a waiting period.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager