District Support Specialist- South Region

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.

Serves as an unclassified employee pursuant to Section 3301.13 R.C. and performs the following duties: 

This position is primarily assigned to the East Region, which includes the following counties: Butler, Hamilton, Warren, Clermont, Brown, Highland Adams, Scioto, Ross, Pike, Lawrence, Gallia, Meigs, Athens, Hocking, Vinton, Jackson, Perry, and Washington. Regional assignments may be modified, and the position may be asked to provide support in other regions based on agency priorities, workload, staffing, or operational needs. 

School and District Support & Improvement

·       Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned schools and districts by coordinating support teams, including State Support Teams (SSTs), Educational Service Centers (ESCs), and Department staff; facilitating progress-monitoring meetings; coordinating communication among support partners; and ensuring alignment of improvement activities across local, regional, and state systems.

·       Conduct on-site and virtual visits with schools and districts to provide support, monitor implementation, review progress, identify barriers to improvement, and support continuous improvement efforts

·       Support implementation and monitoring of the 11 District Plan, other district improvement initiatives, and state-directed improvement efforts through coordination of support activities, progress reviews, implementation monitoring, data analysis, reporting, and continuous improvement processes.

·       Provide coaching, consultation, technical assistance, professional learning, and guidance related to educational benefit, special education improvement, improvement planning, and implementation of evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for all students, including students with disabilities.

·       Support Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), Student Group Accountability, and other identified schools and districts in meeting state and federal improvement requirements.

·       Facilitate strategic planning, problem-solving, and continuous improvement processes with district leadership teams and support partners to address barriers and improve outcomes across instructional, organizational, operational, and special education systems.

·       Review school and district improvement plans, including One Plans, One Needs Assessments, Service Delivery Agreements, progress reports, and other Department-required planning documents to ensure alignment with identified needs, improvement priorities, evidence-based practices, and state requirements.

·       Monitor implementation of school and district improvement plans, grant activities, and Department initiatives through review of progress reports, implementation evidence, outcome data, and related documentation; provide feedback and recommendations to support continuous improvement and accountability outcomes.

·       Analyze academic achievement, growth, attendance, graduation, accountability, implementation, and special education data to identify trends, monitor progress, inform decision-making, and support improvement efforts for all students, including students with disabilities.

·       Prepare reports, presentations, recommendations, and other documentation to communicate progress, outcomes, and priorities to district leaders, Department staff, and other stakeholders.

·       During periods when school-support activities are reduced, including summer months and other school breaks, responsibilities may shift to support Department priorities, special projects, implementation activities, planning efforts, professional learning, resource development, continuous improvement efforts, and other organizational needs.

·       Positions are assigned to a primary geographic region; however, travel and support responsibilities may extend beyond the assigned region to meet statewide program priorities, operational needs, or other assignments as determined by the Department.

Implementation Teams

·       Participate as a member of regional implementation teams that support Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) schools and other identified schools and districts.

·       Participate in learning walks, instructional reviews, implementation monitoring activities, and follow-up support focused on High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM), evidence-based literacy practices, and instructional improvement priorities.

·       Collaborate with district leaders, building administrators, State Support Team staff, Educational Service Center staff, and Department personnel to support instructional implementation reviews and improvement activities.

·       Collect and analyze implementation evidence, instructional materials, observation data, student outcome data, and related documentation to identify strengths, barriers, and opportunities for improvement.

·       Contribute to action planning, implementation monitoring, and continuous improvement efforts related to curriculum implementation, instructional coherence, professional learning, Integrated MTSS, and supports for students with disabilities.

·       Prepare implementation summaries, recommendations, reports, and presentations to communicate findings and support continuous improvement planning.

Integrated MTSS & Statewide Capacity Building

·       Support development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Ohio's Integrated Multi-Tiered System of Supports (Integrated MTSS) framework.

·       Develop and deliver professional learning, resources, and implementation supports aligned with Ohio's Integrated MTSS framework.

·       Collaborate with Department offices, State Support Teams, Educational Service Centers, and district partners to align initiatives, resources, and supports with Ohio's Integrated MTSS framework and Department priorities.

·       Assist schools and districts in evaluating implementation of Ohio's Integrated MTSS framework to identify strengths, opportunities for improvement, and next steps for continuous improvement.

·       Stay current in Integrated MTSS research, best practices, and policy developments to inform implementation supports and continuous improvement efforts.  

·       Performs other related duties as assigned.

Unusual Working Conditions

·       Requires travel throughout the State of Ohio and may require overnight stays. Must possess a valid driver's license or provide reliable transportation.

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.

6 years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

Education administration
Special education
Education experience in an urban setting

Job Skills: Educational support

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 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.