KBE/KDE Ed Academic Program Manager (FFTL)

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet • Frankfort, KY

1d

About The Position

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is a service agency of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and part of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. The department provides resources and guidance to Kentucky’s public schools and districts as they implement the state’s P-12 education requirements. The department also serves as the state liaison for federal education requirements and funding opportunities.

This is a federally funded time-limited (FFTL) position. This means it is a position that is paid entirely as the result of a federal grant. The duration of employment shall not exceed the life of the federal grant that funds the position. An employee appointed to an FFTL position is required to meet the minimum requirements for the classification. Further, an employee appointed to an FFTL position is designated as an unclassified (non-merit) employee. An FFTL employee is eligible to receive benefits at the same level as a classified (merit) employee in a permanent position.

The department seeks to hire a smart, experienced, hardworking and dependable KBE/KDE Education Academic Program Manager to join our dedicated team. This position serves as the administrator (director) of Office of Special Education and Early Learning’s(OSEEL) Early Learning Unit. This role represents a fantastic opportunity to work in a dynamic, challenging and professional environment. We invite you to apply for the opportunity to allow you to expand your learning potential, while receiving a steady income and benefits. We look forward to reviewing your application!

The department’s major activities include:
Administering the statewide assessment and accountability system
Providing technical assistance to schools and districts in the areas of finance, management and curriculum
Providing support and information to the Kentucky Board of Education as it promulgates state education regulations
Overseeing the state education technology system
Monitoring school and district compliance with state and federal laws
Providing instructional services to students at Kentucky School for the Blind, Kentucky School for the Deaf and the Area Technology Centers.

Requirements

• Applicants must be a graduate of a college or university with a master’s degree in education
• Must have five years of professional experience in education, vocational education, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of successful experience in early childhood/preschool education including leadership of large-scale or statewide initiatives.
• Demonstrated expertise in federal and state early learning requirements, including IDEA (Part B and Part C), state preschool statutes, and early childhood systems.
• Experience in policy development, data-informed decision-making, and management of budgets, grants, and contracts supporting early learning programs.

Responsibilities

• The Director of the Early Learning Unit leads statewide preschool initiatives under OSEEL, providing strategic direction, oversight, compliance, technical assistance, and partnership development.
• The director ensures quality and program fidelity across state-funded preschool, including special education and related services for preschool students with individual education plans (IEP), aligning efforts with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), state statutes, and KDE priorities.
• Develop, refine and implement the strategic vision and goals for early learning within OSEEL
• Align early learning goals with OSEEL North Star Priorities and KDE goals and priorities
• Lead statutory, regulatory, and policy development and revision for early learning programs
• Represent OSEEL in internal leadership teams, cross-unit coordination, and external advisory groups and councils
• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of state preschool programs
• Monitor compliance with federal and state requirements (e.g. IDEA, state preschool statutes and regulations)
• Establish and manage continuous quality improvement systems
• Provide accountability (data, reporting, quality ratings, audits) for state preschool programs.
• Provide guidance, training, and support to Kentucky’s Early Childhood Regional Training Centers (RTCs) and local education agencies (LEAs)
• Lead the development and dissemination of guidance documents, toolkits, and resources for educators, early childhood partners, and families
• Support professional development and coaching systems for early childhood educators
• Establish and maintain partnerships with state and national early childhood stakeholders
• Supervise direct reports in the Early Learning Unit
• Provide performance management, coaching, and professional growth opportunities
• Foster a collaborative, high-functioning culture
• Support early learning funding, policy, and legislative initiatives and requirements
• Represent the Kentucky Board of Education and the KDE in regional or national early learning forums.
• Oversee data collection, validation, and reporting of early learning indicators
• Use data to inform program improvement, resource allocation, and policy decisions
• Prepare reports, briefs, and presentations for internal leadership, Kentucky’s General Assembly, the public, or the U.S. Department of Education
• Manage the Early Learning Unit’s budget and ensure responsible stewardship of funds
• Oversee grants, contracts, and vendor agreements tied to early learning initiatives
• Adjust resource allocations as needed Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance (effective first day of employment)
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life Insurance
• Retirement savings.
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, compensatory, jury, voting, election, blood donation, living organ, educational, military)
• Paid holidays (12.5 days per year, 13.5 days in a Presidential Election year)
• A collaborative and innovative work environment
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employee Recognition

What This Job Offers

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