Program Specialist

Description

Idaho Department of Education

This position is exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission.

Please note: Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

The Idaho Department of Education (Department) is dedicated to serving and providing common-sense leadership, support, and resources to educators across the state. The knowledge, skills, and experience of the Department’s employees are among our most valued and important assets. Employment with the Department provides a rewarding career that positively affects the lives of children in Idaho. To learn more, please visit our website at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/.

The Program Specialist of Instructional Technology and Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars (ISAS) supports educational technology, computer science, and the ISAS program at the Idaho Department of Education (Department). This position supports legislative appropriated funding initiatives and coordinates educational technology activities for the Department’s initiatives. The Program Specialist facilitates and provides technical assistance for the Create Idaho programs. The Program Specialist also provides administrative support to the ISAS program including communication and coordination of services and events. This is a full-time position serving under an appointment of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

· Provide educational technology guidance and support, including information on technology, implementations of technology and various uses of technology.

· Facilitate distribution and liaise with local education agencies to implement technology programs, instructional opportunities, and certifications.

· Utilizing educational partners, facilitate professional development for various levels of users.

· Assist with training on IT and technology related programs.

· Maintain current data on licensures, usage, and certifications. Oversee overall contract management for contracts associated with Instructional Technologies.

· Participate in state and national IT organizations as directed.

· Plan implementation of the ISAS program, including onboarding mentors, contracting with vendors, and arranging travel for participants.

· Procure and organize supplies and materials,

· Serve as the main point of contact for communication with students, parents, teachers, mentors, and vendors.

· Collect qualitative and quantitative data about ISAS course completion and the academies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

· Associates degree or some college education required.

· Knowledge of current information technology practices and applications.

· Ability to deal effectively with people who have varying degrees of knowledge about IT systems.

· Excellent interpersonal, communication, public relations, and time management skills.

· Strong problem solving and project management skills.

· Some knowledge of management practices; program or project planning and implementation.

· Ability to show initiative in seeking out and applying best practices to a range of policy and legal issues surrounding the rapidly changing areas of digital content and open educational resources.

· Experience coordinating activities requiring complex arrangements.

· Administrative experience in evaluating products in a systemic way.

· Ability to work accurately with attention to detail under minimal supervision.

· Ability to meet deadlines and schedules.

· Ability to create and maintain accurate, accessible, and organized documentation.

· Good knowledge of office support functions including word processing, filing, composing a variety of business documents, gathering and compiling data, and balancing and coordinating a workload for multiple projects.

· Good knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.

Extra consideration will be given for the following desired qualifications:

· Bachelor’s and/or master's degree from an accredited college or university.

· K-12 classroom experience.

· Administrative experience.

· Experience managing all aspects of contracts, from developing requests for proposals to managing the contract for services.

· Experience interpreting federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and policies and advising on their requirements.

· Knowledge of federal grants and allocations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (with or without accommodation) 

· Dexterity to operate office tools and equipment;

· Ability to perform standard office administrative functions, including but not limited to: typing, filing, answering phones, processing documents, collating and preparing office materials as needed;

· Good vision to review hard copy and electronic documents; operate standard office equipment, including, but not limited to: computer, copier/scanner, multi-line phone system; navigate website resources; greet and direct patrons; identify safety concerns;

· Ability to concentrate for extended periods of time;

· Mental acuity to comprehend, communicate, monitor and ensure adequate program support;

· Approximately 90% of time is spent sitting at desk or workstation, up to 4 hours at a time;

· Approximately 10% of time is spent standing, walking, bending, and kneeling;

· Occasional lifting may be required, frequently less than 5 lb., but may be up to 20 lb.

TRAVEL REQUIRED: 

· Travel is approximately 10-15% to conduct training in schools for both the Microsoft Imagine Academy and the Create Idaho Adobe.

BENEFITS:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.*

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INCLUDE: 

Vesting in the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI): All employees of the Idaho Department of Education are non-classified. They are appointed by the elected official and serve at the pleasure of the elected official. As such, employees working at a non-classified agency are considered vested in the PERSI retirement system after five (5) consecutive months of service, versus five (5) years of service at a classified agency. 

Tuition Fee Waiver: All Idaho Department of Education employees in permanent full-time positions may register for instructional courses during any academic period, at any participating state funded institutions of higher education, for a $20.00 nonrefundable registration fee per semester and $5.00 per credit hour charge.

TO APPLY: 

To apply for this position, please submit 1.) a customized letter of interest, 2.) a resume, and 3) a list of three professional references. Attach the resume to your online application. Insert your letter of interest and references into the space provided in the questions section of the application. 

Your letter of interest should specifically address how your education, training and work experience meet the responsibilities, qualifications, and required skills of the position. A writing sample, such as a letter of interest, provides an opportunity to evaluate your writing skills as well as your ability to demonstrate you meet the qualifications of the position. Your resume must clearly support the information provided in your letter of interest. A resume does not substitute for a letter of interest. Applications that do not include a letter of interest will not be accepted. 

EEO/ADA/VETERAN:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.