Education Program Specialist Agricultural and Environmental Systems

About Us:

The Ohio Department of Education is a diverse team of passionate, education-focused professionals dedicated to fulfilling the vision established in Each Child, Our Future, Ohio’s strategic plan for education. The vision is, “In Ohio, each child is challenged to discover and learn, prepared to pursue a fulfilling post-high school path and empowered to become a resilient, lifelong learner who contributes to society.” Ensuring this vision for each of Ohio’s 1.7 million students, in partnership with more than 240,000 educators across the state, is no small feat. Under the leadership of the superintendent of public instruction and governed by the State Board of Education, Department team members, in collaboration with a wide range of partners, are sharply focused on helping schools and districts continually improve to be the best they can be for each child. Equity and impact are core to every program, service and action. The Department’s work is well regarded both in Ohio and nationally for its innovative, leading-edge and forward-looking approach. When the Department succeeds, students succeed, communities succeed and Ohio succeeds.

Culture and Values:

Ohio Department of Education is mission driven, values a culture of feedback and places a premium on growth mindset among all its team members. Together the enterprise is building a continuous learning and improvement community.

What You'll Do:

Acts on behalf of the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Office of Career-Technical Education (CTE) to provide guidance, coordination, and support to stakeholders for the implementation of agricultural and environmental systems career field career-technical education pathways according to section 124 of the Federal Perkins Act which includes but is not limited to the following tasks:

• Participates in agricultural and environmental systems career field CTE technical content standards development including the alignment of academic and technical content standards;
• Assists in the development of agricultural and environmental systems CTE technical assessments and additional measures of student performance (e.g., portfolios, industry certification and licensure, capstone courses);
• Assists with the implementation of technical content standards through technical assistance to local school districts and Education Service Centers (ESCs);
• Recommends best practices for instruction aligned with technical content standards;
• Serves as the agricultural and environmental systems 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 agricultural and environmental systems career field teacher networks, administrators, superintendents and university personnel;
• Researches exemplary models and best practices that enhance CTE programming;
• Coordinates statewide programs and activities for the Ohio FFA Association career-technical student organization.

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/industry/education stakeholders; provides support for other career technical career fields; maintains relationships with related business and industry groups, professional associations, educational institutions, and government agencies).

Acts on behalf of the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) 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;
• Supports and develops state data systems relevant to the provision of the Perkins Act;
• Researches exemplary models and best practices that enhance CTE programming.

What’s in it for you:

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

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the available Ohio Med plans.

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period. Length of eligibility period is dependent on union representation.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Employee Development Funds

• The State of Ohio offers a variety of educational and professional development funding that varies based on whether you are a union-exempt employee or a union-represented employee.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

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.

(*)Developed after employment.

The Ohio Department of Education 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 Assistant Chief of Human Resources in the Office of Human Resources.

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.