PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SPECIALIST

Arizona Department of Education

The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SPECIALIST

Job Location:

Title II Section

Phoenix Location

Salary: $70,000 - $75,000

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 09/20/2026

Job Summary:

The Professional Learning Specialist will support the State Education Agency (SEA) in its fulfillment of the professional development program under state activities carried out under Title II, Part A, Supporting Effective Instruction Grant. This position will support the design, revision, implementation, and facilitation of educator leadership academies, training, and other professional learning opportunities and work cooperatively to implement and monitor effective systems, based on data and research, to increase the effectiveness of teachers in high need Arizona schools and districts. The incumbent applies research-based strategies to support continuous improvement and advance educational outcomes across the state.

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.

Job Duties:

• Preparation for and facilitation of professional learning
• Collaboration in the design and revision of training content
• Collection, organization, validation, and dissemination of data to support the Effective Teachers and Leaders team
• Project work to support the Effective Teachers and Leaders team

Knowledge in:

• Knowledge of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) particularly relating to Title II; Methods and instructional strategies that strengthen the academic program of a school and LEA
• Implementation of a well-rounded program of instruction, conditions for learning, and systems of support to meet the academic needs of all students
• Leadership and management techniques
• Applicants must have taught or administered an educational program
• A bachelor’s degree in education or related field, or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required
• Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years of teaching experience and 3 years of site/district leadership or instructional coaching

Skills in:

• Working and collaborating with teams
• Project and strategic plan development, implementation, and evaluation
• Providing professional learning using a variety of delivery methods
• Applying systems thinking
• Applying problem-solving techniques
• Providing differentiated technical assistance and support.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with educators at all levels and the public
• Guide and support school leaders in designing, implementing, and evaluating effective program models
• Manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision and respect for confidentiality
• Prioritize tasks and develop workflow so that deadlines are met
• Develop, maintain, and enhance effective collaborative partnerships with internal departments and external stakeholders

Selective Preference(s):

• Advanced degrees in curriculum and instruction or leadership
• Applicants with extensive experience in instructional coaching or school/district leadership

Pre-Employment Requirements:

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).

Benefits:

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.

Retirement:

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.

Contact Us:

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or emailing View email address on click.appcast.io. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.