High-Quality Instructional Materials & Standards Specialist

State of Oregon • Salem, OR

10h • $7,247 - $11,913 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a High-Quality Instructional Materials & Standards Specialist to join our Office of Teaching, Learning & Assessment (OTLA) team at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). This is a permanent position represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
This position follows a hybrid work model. Onsite presence will be required when business or operational needs are best supported in person, such as collaboration, training, or work that requires access to onsite resources. This position includes occasional in-state travel, including driving, to support the delivery of professional learning, attend in-person meetings, and engage with partners across the state. A driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, a personal vehicle, or an alternative means of transportation are required for this position. Employees approved to work remotely must have a reliable and secure internet connection and maintain a professional work environment that supports productivity. While working remotely, employees are expected to maintain the same level of performance, responsiveness, communication, and availability as they would in the office.
What you will do!
You will lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of Oregon’s content standards development and High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) program by establishing coherent, statewide systems for standards revision, instructional materials adoption, and aligned implementation. This includes supporting HQIM implementation statewide by strengthening curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL) and building the conditions for effective use of materials in classrooms. The position collaborates with content specialists and ODE staff across finance, procurement, research, and IT to manage funds, contracts, and program operations, and provides project management for standards revision processes. The role also leads HQIM statewide strategy, including oversight of the adoption schedule, program budget, and implementation supports, and provides technical assistance and training to districts and partners. For the 2025–27 biennium, the focus is on strengthening instructional coherence, advancing HQIM implementation through SB 141 and ODE’s strategic plan, and building sustainable systems that ensure equitable access to high-quality, standards-aligned instruction.
You will have the opportunity to:
Shape statewide teaching and learning: This position will work to advance efforts to ensure every student has access to meaningful, affirming, coherent, grade-level instruction through aligned content standards and high-quality instructional materials (HQIM).
Bridge strategy, policy, and implementation: This role will connect rulemaking, research, and real-world execution to drive coherent, systemwide impact.
Drive continuous improvement at scale: Using statewide data, partner feedback, and research to refine programs, this position will remove barriers and strengthen instructional coherence across Oregon.
Typical duties include:
Lead and manage content standards and HQIM programs: Oversee standards revision processes and HQIM adoption and implementation, including project management, timelines, and program design.
Advance policy and rulemaking: Support legislative initiatives from ODE, the Governor, and legislature, lead administrative rule development, and translate policy to answer questions and develop actionable guidance and systems.
Build and strengthen statewide HQIM implementation infrastructure: Develop and improve the systems, guidance, and supports that enable effective HQIM implementation across districts and ESDs, including curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL), technical assistance, and the use of data and trends to continuously refine tools, processes, and resources that ensure consistent, high-quality implementation statewide.
Coordinate partnerships and partner engagement: Facilitate advisory groups and panels, collaborate with districts, Education Service Districts (ESDs), and other education partners, and design communication and professional learning to support effective implementation.
A typical day blends policy, collaboration, project management, and implementation, moving between facilitating standards revision, supporting HQIM, implementation efforts, navigating rulemaking, and strengthening systems. You might partner with districts and colleagues to support HQIM implementation and address challenges, then translate those insights into practical guidance, tools, or policy refinements. The role continually shifts between big-picture strategy and hands-on problem-solving to drive statewide impact.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Education or related field from an accredited college or university and five years of education experience in the specialty area under recruitment (e.g., classroom teacher, counselor, itinerant service provider), two years of which includes leadership experience (e.g., lead teacher, program coordinator or director, school administrator) in the specialty area under recruitment.
• A Doctorate in Education or related field from an accredited university may substitute for two years of the education experience, but not for the two years of leadership experience.
• An Oregon Standard Administrative License (issued by Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission) may substitute for the two years of leadership experience.
• Driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, a personal vehicle, or an alternative means of transportation are required for this position.
• Reliable and secure internet connection and maintain a professional work environment that supports productivity (for remote work).

Nice To Haves

• Strong communication and project/program management skills: Experience managing complex, multi-phase initiatives with competing timelines and deliverables, including adoption cycles, standards revision processes, budgets, and cross-functional coordination. This includes the production of written reports, guidance, or public-facing resources.
• Expertise in supporting HQIM adoption, implementation, and CBPL: Experience navigating the full HQIM lifecycle—from selection and adoption to sustained, high-quality implementation. Skilled in designing and supporting curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL) and building aligned systems that promote effective, consistent use of instructional materials across schools and districts.
• Expertise in supporting content standards development and implementation: Experience developing, reviewing, and translating standards into clear guidance for curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Skilled in supporting standards implementation through aligned resources, tools, and educator supports that ensure coherence and grade-level learning.
• Strong facilitation and engagement skills: Proven ability to design and lead impactful meetings, advisory groups, and collaborative processes that bring diverse partners together, elevate perspectives, and strengthen shared decision-making that supports consistent and equitable implementation of standards and HQIM across districts, ESDs, and statewide partners.
• Experience with policy development, review, and implementation: Experience interpreting and shaping local, state, and/or federal education policy; supporting rulemaking or legislative processes; and translating policy into clear guidance, systems, and practices that are actionable for educators and aligned with standards and HQIM implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to apply an equity-centered, human-focused approach: Experience modifying a policy, program, or technical assistance approach based on equity analysis, community input, or disparate impact considerations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage content standards and HQIM programs: Oversee standards revision processes and HQIM adoption and implementation, including project management, timelines, and program design.
• Advance policy and rulemaking: Support legislative initiatives from ODE, the Governor, and legislature, lead administrative rule development, and translate policy to answer questions and develop actionable guidance and systems.
• Build and strengthen statewide HQIM implementation infrastructure: Develop and improve the systems, guidance, and supports that enable effective HQIM implementation across districts and ESDs, including curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL), technical assistance, and the use of data and trends to continuously refine tools, processes, and resources that ensure consistent, high-quality implementation statewide.
• Coordinate partnerships and partner engagement: Facilitate advisory groups and panels, collaborate with districts, Education Service Districts (ESDs), and other education partners, and design communication and professional learning to support effective implementation.

Benefits

• Oregon State provides amazing benefits! Follow the link below to learn more: Oregon Job Opportunities : Benefits : State of Oregon
• Pay equity assessment
• PERS qualifying salary range will reflect an additional 6.95% if applicable.

What This Job Offers

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