Education Program Consultant; Students Cognitive Disabilities

Overview

Job Description
The Iowa Department of Education’s mission is to ensure all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

The Education Program Consultant (Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities) will be an integral member of the Division of Special Education, providing technical assistance, monitoring and support to school districts and Area Education Agencies.

As an Education Program Consultant for supports and services for students with significant cognitive disabilities, you will serve as a leader providing technical assistance and guidance on the following:

• Lead the statewide scaling and implementation of evidence-based practices for the delivery of specially designed instruction for students with significant cognitive disabilities. This includes participation in existing statewide collaborative implementation and scaling structures, including:
• facilitation of, and membership on, statewide development and delivery teams;
• providing technical assistance focusing on evaluation for instructional design; designing instruction and delivering instruction and other supports;
• using implementation science to support scaling and implementation efforts.
• integrating SDI professional learning and supports into IDEA-Differentiated Accountability.
• Collaborate with other education program consultants and administrative consultants across the division to promote and improve integration of high-quality, evidence-based SDI and Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) into guidance, support and technical assistance provided by the Department.
• Work collaboratively with external partners and infrastructure components of statewide special education systems (e.g., Procedures Governance Council and coaching networks).

Candidates are encouraged to include detailed information about their relevant experience in their application, or submit a cover letter and resume in addition to their application.

• Experience with specially designed instruction and supports for students with significant cognitive disabilities
• Experience interpreting federal regulations and legal history, and applying that to unique situations to recommend actions to educators for students with academic and behavioral needs
• Experience establishing project plans, including evaluation of progress, budgets, and program implementation, to support quality projects for students with significant cognitive disabilities
• Leadership experience in settings and situations with students with significant cognitive disabilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to present information to diverse stakeholders, creation and maintenance of reports, guidance, and written resources

For additional information, please contact idoe.hr.

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

• Passion for pursuing common goals in pursuit of public service
• Strong technical skills
• Strategic and analytical mindset
• Ability to work in complex situations and meet deadlines while leading teams as a non-traditional leader (no supervisory authority)
• Experience providing technical assistance and professional learning to educators
• Ability to interpret and break down highly technical or regulatory language, and present information in an understandable manner
• Ability to manage self in relation to prioritization and time management
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
• Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders

• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of children, their families, and Iowa communities
• Collaborative, positive work environment
• Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and benefits package

Further information: the Benefits Beyond the Paycheck…