Education Program Specialist

Job Summary The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the State Education Agency for the District of Columbia charged with raising the quality of education for all DC residents. OSSE is focused on sustaining, accelerating, and deepening the progress being made for the District’s 90,000+ students. OSSE serves as the District’s liaison to the U.S. Department of Education and works closely with the District’s 470+ early childhood facilities, 250+ schools, 60+ local education agencies (including DCPS and charter organizations), and community based organizations to provide critical programming and resources to our stakeholders. This position is located in the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Division of Teaching and Learning (TAL). TAL is tasked with providing technical assistance and professional learning for educators across the District. The Division supports OSSE’s mission that all DC students, from infants through adult learners have access to high quality education and can learn and achieve at high levels. The Education Program Specialist (Literacy Coach) will be responsible for providing on the job coaching, training, technical assistance, and professional learning to Local Education Agencies (LEAs), including the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools, utilizing effective evidence-based practices to serve students and to close the achievement gap in literacy. In doing so, the Education Program Specialist will support literacy initiatives and iterate to improve effectiveness and efficacy of coaching. The Education Program Specialist will report to the Literacy Manager.

Duties And Responsibilities The Education Program Specialist will; Develops, implements and maintains complex procedures, administrative monitoring practices and controls in order to obtain smooth and effective operation of a program(s);coordinates work activities of the program to prevent delays in required actions or to improve programs or services; identifies, develops and implements departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; determines resource allocation and levels of service according to established policies; plans and writes grant applications and manages grant funded projects. Assesses and tracks initiatives that aim to enhance the quality of early care and education programs regularly using a project management tool. Reviews and evaluates issues/concerns with licensed child development facilities. Documents and implements all necessary actions to ensure successful program implementation and provide written analysis of licensed child development facilities that participate in initiatives that aim to enhance the quality of early care and education programs. Interviews and surveys licensed child development facilities to determine opportunities for improvement and develop detailed recommendations to resolve. Plans and conduct in-depth studies and provide reliable solutions independently, after evaluating the impact of initiatives that aim to enhance the quality of early care and education programs. Compiles/arranges data in standard formats for projects or reports and provides reports on a regular basis to the respective manager(s) of initiatives that

aim to enhance the quality of early care and education programs.

Develops, writes, and implements a dynamic state system of evaluating initiatives that aim to enhance the quality of early care and education programs to promote program effectiveness. Collaborates and coordinates with appropriate staff to ensure accuracy of program data, routinely provides written program reports, and identifies clear program discrepancies, trends, or problems, and keeps management team informed of the operation and progress of program concerns.

Provides a full range of analytical and advisory support services to directors and

managers. Communicates independently with appropriate department officials, other

government, and private agencies for project completion. Provides technical assistance to grantees who assist licensed child development facilities in the development of program goals and written action plans.

Qualifications And Education Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

Licenses and Certifications None

Working Conditions/Environment Work is normally performed in an office environment.

Other Significant Factors Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday; 8:30AM-5:00PM

Duration of Appointment: This is an Education Service (ES), “At-Will” Temporary Appointment. All positions and appointments in the Education Service serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Promotion Potential: No known promotional potential

Plan, Series, Grade: CS-1720-13

Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is not covered under a collecting bargaining agreement.

Position Designation: In accordance with Chapter 4 of the D.C. personnel regulations, Suitability, this position has been deemed Security-Sensitive. Accordingly, the incumbent will be subject to pre-employment checks (criminal background checks, consumer credit check, traffic record checks, and drug screenings, if applicable) as a condition of employment, and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of your tenure.

Residency Preference: Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eight (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment. EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.