Education Program Specialist (Trade and Industry)

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.

Acts on behalf of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) Office of Career-Technical Education (CTE) to provide guidance, coordination, and support to stakeholders for the implementation of trade and industry career technical education programs (i.e. Construction, Transportation, Law & Public Safety, Engineering & Manufacturing) according to section 124 of the Federal Perkins Act which includes but is not limited to the following tasks:

·         Participates in career field CTE content standards development including alignment of academic and technical content standards;

·         Assists in the development of career field CTE technical assessments and additional measures of student performance (e.g., portfolios, industrial certification and licensure, capstone courses);

·         Assist with curriculum development of career technical education and academic applied learning approaches;

·         Assists with the implementation of technical content standards through technical assistance to local school districts, Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDCs) and Educational Service Centers (ESCs);

·         Recommends best practices for instruction aligned with technical content standards;

·         Serves as trade and industry career field technical content standards expert for internal and external initiatives;

·         Assists in establishing partnership linkages with business/industries/professions and key organizations (e.g., employers, post-secondary institutions, professional associations, external agencies and internal ODE units) that support and assist with maintenance of program quality;

·         Provides professional development to support trade and industry career field teacher networks, administrators, superintendents and university personnel;

·         Researches exemplary models and best practices that enhance CTE programming; and

·         Assists with the implementation of programs and activities associated with career-technical student organizations (i.e. SkillsUSA Ohio Association).

Participates in cross-office projects or initiatives as assigned. 

·         Represents agency at national, state, and regional events relative to technical content standards, curriculum materials, program design, and instructional practices: (e.g., writes reports;  recommends policy; prepares and delivers speeches before professional groups and general public; collaborates with other ODE colleagues and business/industrial/education stakeholders; provides support for other career technical career fields; maintains relationships with related business and industrial groups, professional associations, educational institutions, and government agencies).

Acts on behalf of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) Office of Career-Technical Education (CTE) for the administration of career technical education programs according to state and federal laws:

·         Implements the state Perkins plan;

·         Monitors and evaluates program effectiveness;

·         Assures compliance with applicable Federal and State laws;

·         Provides technical assistance;

·         Uses state and federal guidelines to approve new program applications and improve existing programs; and

·         Supports and develops state data systems relevant to the provision of the Perkins Act.

Unusual Working Conditions:  Requires travel throughout the State of Ohio and may require overnight stay and must be willing and able to secure a valid Driver’s License.

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.

72 months experience in any combination of the following:

• Career-Technical Education program and/or Career-Technical Education administration experience in trade and industrial education (i.e., Construction, Transportation, Law & Public Safety, Engineering & Manufacturing).
• Related business/industrial field experience which must include trade and industrial training experience

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 applicant 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 (human.resources@education.ohio.gov).

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.

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.