Arizona Department of Education

School Improvement Section

Phoenix or Tucson Location

Salary: $70,000 - $74,500 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 07/12/2024

• Federal School Improvement Section at the Arizona Department of Education is charged with implementing ARS 15-241 and Every Student Succeeds Act 2015 (ESEA) by providing supports for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and schools in improvement. ADE's Federal School Improvement is responsible for building and supporting the capacity of under-performing LEAs and schools through a differentiated, comprehensive system of support that ensures effective and sustainable teaching and learning environments that result in high academic achievement.
• The Education Program Specialist is responsible for supporting LEA and school transformation turnaround and improvement activities related to results-driven accountability, through technical assistance, and professional development in accordance with state and federal requirements for schools in improvement status.
• Frequent in-state travel is required for this position.
The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

This position will:
• Implement and monitor Arizona's state system of support related to results-driven accountability, Federal Accountability System and AZ ARS 15-241 through technical assistance, and professional development in accordance with state and federal requirements for LEAs and schools in improvement status under federal and/or state accountability criteria
• Support and monitor LEAs and school leadership in the completion of the Comprehensive Needs Assessment, root cause analysis, other data analysis and the development, implementation and monitoring of evidence-based strategies and action steps in the LEA and Integrated Action Plans that are systemic and sustainable and will lead to increases in student achievement for schools in improvement status under Federal and/or state accountability criteria
• Support development, approve and monitor School Improvement Grants-1003 (g) and 1003 (a) in for LEAs with schools in improvement status in accordance with state and federal requirements
• Collaborate and build supportive relationships with other sections within ADE and external stakeholders to coordinate technical assistance, professional development, monitoring and alignment of resources for LEAs and schools to close the achievement gaps and increase student achievement
• Coordinate, assist and deliver coaching, mentoring and professional development for LEAs and schools in improvement as needed
• Design and deliver professional development, virtual and face to face, for a variety of topics, including but not limited to, Educational Leadership, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Instructional infrastructure, school culture and other school improvement topics

Knowledge in:
• School improvement and turnaround ADE structure and responsibilities transformation methods and structures
• State & Federal laws (funding regulations pertaining to (ESEA) and the A-F Accountability system)
• Title I Federal Programs
• Building the internal capacity necessary in districts to support system-wide infrastructure
• Systemic school reform, including; instructional infrastructure, the alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment
• Comprehensive needs assessment function and completing a thorough root cause analysis
• Collecting, analyzing, validating, interpreting, and reporting quantitative and qualitative data development and implementation of effective district and school continuous improvement plans
• Technology to organize data and display to allow for decision-making regarding curriculum, instruction, and assessments
• Professional learning communities, education administration, budget development and analysis, best practices for teacher/leader/coaching and SEL
• Applicants must have a Bachelor’s and/or Master’s Degree in Education and/or Educational Leadership
• Applicants must have Principal Certification and experience
• Applicants must have taught and/or administered an educational program

Skills in:
• Verbal and written communication
• Facilitating and presenting to large groups
• Managing multiple projects at the same time
• Building collaborative teams
• Developing strategic plans
• Analytical problem-solving
• Decision making
• Organizational skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Technological skills
• Listening skills

Ability to:
• Complete assignments accurately and on timely
• Understand and set clear expectations and hold self and others accountable
• Evaluate situations and respond quickly and tactfully
• Take initiative
• Instill trust and confidence
• Lead by example
• Develop others
• Impact and influence others
• Develop rapport with a variety of stakeholders
• Develop and maintain professional relationships; positivity
• Communicate effectively with administrators, staff, parents, students, and community as well as supervisors and peers

Preference will be given to those applicants with:
• Superintendent Certification
• Teacher certification
• K-12 site leadership experience
• Instructional and/or leadership coaching experience
• Instruct and/or leadership advanced training(s);
• Experience expeading/working with an LEA and school implementing dramatic school improvement, raising student achievement

• Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• Ten paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.