Program Planner ; Community Engagement Consultant

Program Planner 2 (Community Engagement Consultant)

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Iowa Department of Education’s mission is ensuring 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. We are looking to find a highly qualified program professional to serve as a Community Engagement Consultant for the Course to College program in the Bureau of Iowa College Aid.

This position will provide professional level program work by planning project activities, including developing and executing work plans for statewide implementation of the five program components: early awareness, college application campaign, FAFSA completion, college decision day, and summer transition. This position will also assist in the coordination of other community engagement programming and communications, including Course to College Corps – Ameri Corps.

• Perform professional level program planning work as part of a comprehensive plan to assist community‑based efforts to increase higher education attainment in the state.
• Provide planning assistance to the statewide Course to College Program in Iowa high schools.
• Develop and execute work plans for the statewide implementation of each of the five program components: early awareness, college application campaign, FAFSA completion, college decision day, and summer transition.
• Plan and conduct meetings with high school counselors, staff, and partners to assist in program planning and implementation for high schools across the state.
• Participate in statewide educator professional development networks and committees relative to college and career planning for secondary students.
• Ensure that state and federal policies and regulations, particularly related to FAFSA completion, and student privacy are followed.
• Work with schools to provide promotional and related support materials.
• Institute data collection strategies to assist in tracking completed applications.
• Work with schools to obtain signed data agreements and internally manage the agreements.
• Attend events and provide volunteer support for schools, as needed.
• Support the facilitation and provide school advisement on FAFSA completion strategies; coordinate with school representatives for the effective and compliant sharing of FAFSA data, including school‑level reports and access, review and correction of report anomalies.
• Assist in the coordination of programming and communications across connected initiatives, including, but not limited to, Course to College Corps and other Community Engagement programs.
• Research and maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices, strategies and trends in college access and success, community engagement and other related subjects; provide regular updates to team members and other Bureau staff.
• Utilize designated systems for tracking program progress, data collection, evaluation, and customer relations; prepare and deliver presentations and trainings, as needed.
• Contribute to and consult on community engagement materials and outreach efforts; represent community engagement in agency initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, with the opportunity for hybrid remote work schedule after initial training; some nights and weekends, occasional in‑state and out‑of‑state travel.

• Passion for accomplishing common goals in pursuit of public service.
• Ability to work collaboratively within high‑performing teams.
• Ability to work independently, moving projects forward with minimal supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and break down highly technical language, and present information in an understandable manner.
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.
• Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders.

• Experience with college access, youth development or educational program experience with or in K‑12 schools or colleges.
• Experi…