Department of Education

Address:  Academic Standards Section
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $70,000 - $74,500 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 9/15/25

• Supports the Early Childhood team with various projects and the Director of Early Childhood to assist in the administration of the Head Start Collaboration office at Arizona Department of Education (ADE).
• Assists with the collaboration efforts between the ADE several federal, state, and Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
• This is a specialized position that requires expertise in project management, Head Start, Early Childhood Education (ECE), delivering professional development, building partnerships, identifying levels of quality within varied early childhood settings, and offering guidance toward quality improvements, data management, and state and federal grants.
• Occasional in-state and rare out-of-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.

• Interpret and apply state and federal ECE law and policy for statewide implementation
• Create and provide information and guidance through professional development and technical assistance regarding quality early childhood/Head Start
• Conduct and participate in monitoring of local early childhood for compliance and quality
• Participate in program monitoring and support that is critical to ensure compliance with preschool and Head Start grants
• Directly support the high-quality implementation of Early Childhood and Head Start technical assistance in support of standards, assessment, and collaborative quality improvement efforts
• Work within internal supportive teams to provide specialized support to high-risk LEAs
• Oversee ECE data and assessment initiatives within the ADE ECE
• Collaborate with Early Childhood partners such as Head Start, First Things First, identify High Needs Communities, PBS (Scholarships and Registry), etc.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position
Head Start Collaboration:
• Collaboration with federal partners, state agencies, and local/national associations, including virtual and in-person meetings
• Technical assistance, professional development, and support to grantees and LEAs
• Grant management, fiscal, and programmatic reporting
• Strategic planning data collection, and analysis

Knowledge in:
• Adult learning styles
• Arizona statutes and regulations pertaining to Early Childhood/Special Education
• Child development and early childhood learning theory
• Early childhood pedagogy, curriculum and quality learning environments
• Early childhood assessment including screening, formative and summative assessment practices and methodologies
• Quality standards including AZ Early Learning Standards (infant/toddler, preschool, K-3), AZ Program Guidelines for High Quality ECE Programs Birth through Kindergarten
• Experience monitoring and evaluating ECE programs for program effectiveness
• Extensive experience administering or teaching an ECE Program
• Minimum three years’ experience providing professional development and/or technical assistance
• Extensive knowledge of Head Start programs and performance standards, appropriate assessment for children birth to age 8, Arizona's Early Learning Standards and Infant Toddler Developmental Guidelines.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, closely related field, or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required.

Skills in:
• Public speaking, effective writing, and oral communication
• Create professional development and present to the public
• Organization and time management
• Management and leadership
• Analysis and evaluation of program effectiveness and progress
• Interpreting and applying federal, state grants laws, rules and regulations
• Oral and written communication techniques
• Interpersonal relationships
• Intermediate skill in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel

Ability to:
• Establish and maintain interpersonal relationships
• Expertise in professional development best practices for adult learners
• Competence in research methods, data analysis, assessment, and evaluation
• Develop and deliver professional development utilizing web-based technology
• Read, analyze, synthesize, and utilize current research and policy briefs
• Collect and analyze data
• Multi-task
• Organize others and bring together diverse groups of people
• Grant management
• Fiscal and program reporting
• Study, analyze, and utilize current research and data

Preference will be given to those applicants with
• Arizona Certification in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education or closely related field
• 3+ years’ experience working in Head Start

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

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.