Program Specialist IV

Program Specialist IV as an Educator Workforce Specialist

The Mississippi Department of Education is seeking to employ an individual to serve in the position of Program Specialist IV as an Educator Workforce Specialist for the Office of Teaching and Leading within the Division of Educator Talent Acquisition. The incumbent will be responsible for maintaining relationships and facilitating sessions across regional collaboratives including, but not limited to, school districts, educator preparation providers, community colleges, workforce development centers, educator preparation, and grow-your-own programs in the following counties which comprise Congressional District 2: Tunica, Panola, Quitman, Coahoma, Tallahatchie, Yalobusha, Montgomery, Grenada, Carroll, Leflore, Sunflower, Bolivar, Washington, Humphreys, Holmes, Attala, Leake, Madison, Yazoo, Sharkey, Issaquena, Warren, Hinds, Claiborne, Copiah, and Jefferson. To assist this effort, the incumbent will research, analyze, and present trends from educator workforce development efforts and surveys while soliciting feedback from education stakeholders in Congressional District 2 to develop regionally relevant resources, presentations, and/or programs. This position will require the incumbent to build relationships and directly advise district and school administrators on best practices in educator recruitment and retention. More broadly, the incumbent will provide guidance, regulatory reviews, and communication regarding Critical Shortage Areas and educator workforce development efforts in emails, presentations, and meetings.

What you'll need to be successful: The applicant must possess exceptional relationship-building, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills along with Microsoft Suite proficiency. The applicant must be willing to travel and have knowledge of Critical Shortage guidelines and other related regulations. Preferred qualifications typically require a Bachelor's degree and 4-7 years of experience. Agency preferred qualifications include experience with educator workforce policy, PreK-12 teaching and leading, focus group facilitation, and/or community development efforts.