Project Manager, Alternate Standards & Behavioral Supports

State of Oklahoma•Oklahoma City, OK

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is the primary agency overseeing K-12 public education in Oklahoma, dedicated to making a meaningful impact on districts and students. OSDE is known for its commitment to superior customer service, innovation, and shaping a brighter future for students across the state, working with over 500 school districts and the legislature to ensure exceptional education for every Oklahoma student. The Office of Special Education Services is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Project Manager for Alternate Standards and Behavioral Supports. This role involves overseeing the development and revisions of Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AAAS) for students with significant cognitive disabilities, ensuring alignment with state academic standards and IDEA compliance. Additionally, the position provides expertise, training, and technical assistance to districts and school teams serving students with significant behavioral challenges. It requires collaboration across agency departments to promote equitable access to rigorous, individualized instruction and evidence-based, positive behavioral interventions. The Project Manager will be critical in implementing functional behavioral assessments, behavior intervention plans, and evidence-based strategies, and will coordinate and provide statewide technical assistance for the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for behavior. This field-based role requires travel across Oklahoma for in-person professional development, committee participation, and stakeholder meetings to support the interpretation and implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Requirements

Master’s degree in special education, school psychology, behavior analysis, behavior science, or closely related field [official transcripts required upon hire].
Possession of a valid special education teacher, school psychometry, school psychology, or board certified behavior analyst (BCBA).
Five (5) years of experience working with students with disabilities as a special education teacher or director, school psychometrist, school psychologist, registered behavior technician (RBT) interventionist, BCBA, or a combination.
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship now or in the future.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Must possess a valid driver’s license from a U.S. state or territory to perform necessary job-related travel.

Nice To Haves

Specialized knowledge and/or training in the area of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) federal regulations and the Oklahoma Special Education Policies and Procedures.
Knowledge of the administration of special education services for behavior programs involving special education students.
Specialized knowledge in high-quality behavior data collection and data analysis skills to create hypotheses regarding the function of the behavior to develop targeted, evidence-based interventions.
Ability to provide training and coaching/supervision with school personnel and families regarding the behavior intervention plan linked to data collection to determine whether additional adaptations are necessary.
Knowledge of adult learning theory and methods.
Experience providing professional development at the district and state level.

Responsibilities

Oversee the development and revisions of the Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AAAS) for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, ensuring alignment with state academic standards and compliance with IDEA requirements.
Provide expertise, training, and technical assistance to districts and school teams serving students who exhibit significant behavioral challenges.
Collaborate across the agency’s departments to promote equitable access to rigorous, individualized instruction and evidence-based, positive behavioral interventions and environmental strategies.
Play a critical role in the implementation of functional behavioral assessments, behavior intervention plans, and evidence-based strategies to ensure students receive appropriate supports in educational settings.
Coordinate and provide technical assistance regarding the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for behavior statewide.
Travel across Oklahoma to provide in-person professional development, including participating in committees and stakeholder meetings to provide supports of interpreting and implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Develop, write, and revise Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AAAS) aligned with grade-level expectations, Essential Elements, and the Oklahoma Academic Standards (OAS).
Collaborate with the agency’s offices of assessment, student support, teaching and learning, and special education teams, including local education agency representatives to ensure vertical alignment and coherence across instructional materials for behavioral supports, as well as alternate standards and assessments.
Provide professional development and technical assistance to educators on implementing assessments, instructional materials, writing IEP goals and objectives/benchmarks in alignment to the alternate standards and differentiated instructional strategies.
Participate in the State Textbooks Committee to provide input involving rigorous, state-level evaluation of instructional materials which are aligned to the alternate academic achievement standards adopted by the State Department of Education.
Participate in the State Textbooks Committee to review instructional materials aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards to determine high-quality resources for students with disabilities accessing the general education curriculum.
Analyze data and feedback from field implementation to inform continuous improvement of programs, alternate standards and instructional guidance.
Serve as a content expert on alternate assessments, behavioral interventions, and evidence-based practices.
Collaborate with school districts, educators, parents, and community organizations to assess needs, gather feedback, and ensure effective communication throughout the project lifecycle.
Foster partnerships and maintain positive working relationships with stakeholders.
Prepare and present reports, documentation, research and recommendations for district leadership and other stakeholders regarding alternative assessments, alternate academic achievement standards and instruction in alignment to the alternate standards.
Research and present evidence-based practices regarding the implementation of MTSS behavioral supports.
Lead and deliver professional development for educators and administrators focused on MTSS implementation, layering of academic and behavioral supports and intervention alignment across tiers.
Provide professional development on progress monitoring to drive instructional strategies and interventions.
Coordinate and monitor implementation of strategic initiatives to improve compliance, service delivery, and instructional practices in special education.
Analyze student performance and program data to identify trends, measure impact, and inform continuous improvement efforts when developing professional development.
Develop comprehensive project plans, including defining project scope, objectives, deliverables, and timelines.
Conduct thorough research and analysis to identify best practices and evidence-based approaches for instructional materials and behavioral programming.
Establish performance metrics and evaluation methods to assess project progress and effectiveness.
Regularly track and report on project milestones, deliverables, and outcomes to stakeholders and senior management.
Stay up-to-date with federal and state regulations, policies, and guidelines related to special education and evidence-based interventions/strategies.
Ensure projects adhere to legal requirements and maintain high ethical standards.
Identify areas for improvement within behavior programs and develop strategies to enhance service delivery.
Recommend changes and innovations based on evaluation findings and emerging research.
Provide coaching and technical assistance to district and school teams implementing special education policies and procedures for continuous improvement in alignment to IDEA.
Provide training and coaching for teaching to alternate standards and how to use data to improve instructional strategies.
Read and research best practices for improving the implementation of academics and behavior within the MTSS framework for students with disabilities.
Monitor the compliance of the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP) to make certain IEP teams are utilizing the data requirements and checklist for determining only the students with the most significant cognitive and adaptive behavior delays participate in the alternate assessment.
Ensure that no more than 1% of all students assessed in a state participate in an alternate assessment aligned with the alternate academic achievement standards (AAAS) as mandated by ESSA.

Benefits

Generous Benefits Allowance: Up to $21,934.08 annually, tailored to family size, for purchasing benefits.
Comprehensive Insurance Plans: Choose from a variety of insurance plans with no pre-existing conditions, exclusions, or limitations.
Flexible Spending Accounts: Manage healthcare expenses and/or dependent care with ease.
Full Participation in TRS: Enjoy employer-covered contributions (7.5% of annual salary) for Teacher’s Retirement System participation.
Generous Leave Policy: Full-time employees receive 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave in their first year.
Paid Holidays: Benefit from 11 paid holidays per year.
Employee Discounts: Access discounts with various companies and vendors.
Longevity Bonus: Earn a bonus after completing two years of service, with bonuses continuing annually thereafter.
Compensatory Time: FLSA Exempt and Nonexempt employees receive compensatory time.
Employee Assistance Program: Access support and resources through our Employee Assistance Program.