Diverse Learners Education Program Specialist

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is a diverse team of passionate, education-focused professionals responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education for each of Ohio’s 1.7 million students. The Department provides the resources and supports essential to raising student achievement and accelerating learning opportunities, advancing the connectivity between K-12 and postsecondary learning, creating programs to support and expand workforce experiences, and ensuring students have the necessary supports to be ready each day to learn.

As the governing body responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education within the State of Ohio, the Department of Education and Workforce is dedicated to promoting educational excellence and ensuring equal access to learning opportunities for all students. The Department is committed to collaborating with schools, districts, educators, students, families, businesses, nonprofits and all stakeholders to achieve our educational goals.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period

Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year

Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave

Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)

Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check as well as other investigative reviews. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position, unless restricted under state or federal law or federal restrictions. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

The final candidate for this position will be required to submit urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to an appointment. The State will decline to extend a final offer of employment to any applicant with a verified positive test result. Also, an applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that values diversity and seeks talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class. Questions or concerns about this should be directed to the Office of Human Resources ().

The work location of this position is 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. You will be required to report to this work location full-time, if selected.

If this position is filled with an internal employee who has an approved telework agreement, the employee may be required to report in-person during the initial training period.

Serves as an unclassified employee pursuant to Section 3301.13 RC and performs the following educational and/or research duties:

Acts as an education program specialist for the Office for Exceptional Children in conjunction with the Office of Assessment by monitoring and implementing policies and procedures relating to the alternate assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities:

· Coordinates and oversees the development and administration of Ohio Statewide Assessments, specifically the alternate assessment.

· Communicates statewide assessment policies, legislature, federal statute and regulations.

· Monitors contractors for content, deliverables and compliance to ensure statewide assessments and related materials are formatted, reviewed, printed and distributed to districts/schools by deliverable dates.

· Provides ongoing planning and communication regarding the development of assessments and ancillary materials, administration procedures and scoring and reporting procedures.

· Monitors contractors to ensure effective development and implementation of the statewide assessments for Ohio, especially the alternate assessment.

· Participates in quality control of online and paper-based statewide assessments.

· Coordinates ESSA state compliance activities for alternate assessment participation.

· Communicates state eligibility guidelines for the alternate assessment.

· Annually reviews and makes public alternate assessment participation data. Coordinates Ohio’s system of general supervision for alternate assessment participation.

· Develops reports on state compliance activities for alternate assessment participation.

Provides technical assistance to school officials, parents, students and the public regarding the administration of statewide assessments for Ohio in accordance with ORC and OAC (e.g., assists with understanding administration process and results):

· Interprets and explains testing policies including proper application of test accommodations for students with disabilities;

· Develops guidelines for accessibility features and accommodations for state assessments;

· Researches and evaluates applications of emerging and innovative technology relative to state assessments and makes recommendations for their use;

· Ensures current assessment information is available through a variety of sources (e.g., web, email, newsletters, webinars, web conferencing, social media, reports);

· Reviews changing state and federal laws, best practices, and educational data and research and recommends policy changes as needed;

· Monitors alternate assessment test progress and administration according to established rules and procedures;

· Facilitates and/or attends committee meetings;

· Develops training materials and presentations and presents information to groups;

· Administers, reviews, and approves alternate assessment tiered support and monitoring by providing technical assistance during the development of corrective action plans for compliance issues;

· Provides technical assistance and training to statewide systems of support.

Performs other duties as assigned\:

· Participates and organizes statewide meetings for administrators, teachers, and parents of students with disabilities;

· Conducts workshops and makes presentations.

Unusual Working Conditions: Requires travel throughout State of Ohio & may require overnight stay. (Must be willing and able to secure a valid Driver’s License OR supply your own transportation.)

Minimum Qualifications:

6 year’s experience providing support and services to children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

-OR-

6 years experience providing support and services to those who work with children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities (i.e., teacher, administrator, professional development provider, technical assistance provider).

Preferred Qualifications:

Completion of a Master’s degree in one of the following areas\: Education [i.e., special education, educational administration/leadership, curriculum (core academic content), assessment, English learner, psychology (i.e., school psychology, educational psychology), educational guidance/counseling].

6 year’s experience providing support and services to children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities;

-OR-

6 years experience providing support and services to those who work with children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities (i.e., teacher, administrator, professional development provider, technical assistance provider).

Job Skills: Educational support