Department of Education

Address:  School Improvement Unit 
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $70,000 - $74,800 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 6/24/25

• The Education Program Specialist is responsible for supporting and monitoring Local Education Agency (LEA) and school transformation and improvement activities related to data-driven decisions and accountability, use of evidence-based practices, strategies, programs and interventions, technical assistance, and professional development in accordance with federal requirements for schools in improvement status.
• 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.

• Implement and monitor LEA and school transformation and improvement activities related to data-driven decisions and accountability, use of evidence-based practices, strategies, programs and interventions, technical assistance, and professional development in accordance with federal requirements for schools in improvement status, comprehensive (low achievement and low grad rate), additional targeted and targeted support and improvement schools
• Support and monitor LEAs and school leadership with the Comprehensive Needs Assessment, root cause analyses, and Integrated Action Plan development school improvement cycle including implementation and monitoring and evaluation of evidence-based strategies and action steps in the LEA and School Integrated Action Plans
• Support, approve, and monitor School Improvement Grants 1003 (a) in LEAs with schools in improvement status in accordance with federal requirements
• Collaborate and build supportive relationships with other sections within ADE and external stakeholders to coordinate technical assistance, professional development, monitoring, and alignment of resources for LEAs and schools to close the achievement gaps and increase student achievement
• Coordinate, assist, and deliver coaching, mentoring, and professional development for LEAs and schools in improvement as needed
• Coordinate and collaborate with strategic partners, regional centers and selected external providers and LEAs and schools to implement interventions, strategies and action steps
• Actively participate on at least one SSI internal planning team

Knowledge in:
• School improvement and transformation
• Underlying research and evidence-based best practices, particularly in improving leadership, instruction, culture, and talent management and facilitating the change process
• Arizona Department of Education structure and inter-agency responsibilities
• State and federal laws, including funding regulations pertaining to Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA); and knowledge of Title I Federal Programs
• Strategies focused on building the internal capacity necessary in districts to support system-wide infrastructure for quick, dramatic, and sustainable improvement in low performing schools
• Current trends in school improvement and transformation; systemic school reform, including the alignment of instructional infrastructure
• Collecting, analyzing, validating, interpreting, and reporting quantitative and qualitative data
• Comprehensive needs assessment process including completing a thorough root cause analysis
• Development and implementation of effective district and school integrated action plans
• Use of technology to organize data and display to allow for decision-making
• Educational leadership
• Budget development and analysis
• Best practices in teacher and leader development and coaching methods and effective teaching pedagogy and structures
• Social emotional learning and trauma responsive practices
• Applicants must have a Bachelor’s and/or Master’s Degree in Education and/or Educational Leadership
• Applicants must have taught and/or administered an educational program

Skills in:
• Verbal and written communication
• Facilitating and presenting to large groups
• Managing multiple projects at the same time
• Building collaborative teams
• Developing strategic plans
• Analytical problem-solving
• Decision making
• Organizational skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Technological skills

Ability to:
• Complete assignments accurately and on time
• Understand and set clear expectations and hold self and others accountable
• Evaluate situations and respond quickly and tactfully
• Take initiative
• Instill trust and confidence
• Lead by example
• Developing others
• Impact and influence others
• Develop rapport with a variety of stakeholders
• Develop and maintain positivity and professional relationships
• Communicate effectively with administrators, staff, parents, students, and community, as well as supervisors and peers

Preference will be given to those applicants with:
• Superintendent and/or Principal experience
• Teacher certification
• Instructional and/or leadership coaching experience
• Instruct and/or leadership advanced training(s)
• Experience working with an LEA/school and implementing dramatic school improvement transformation

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.