Project Manager, Special Education Professional Development

Project Manager, Special Education Professional Development

The Project Manager, Special Education Professional Development, will lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of robust professional development programs for educators, including creating asynchronous courses. This position focuses on seeking nationally accredited training opportunities in reading, math, and writing, as well as supporting instructional leadership through evidence-based practices regarding students with disabilities. Additionally, the Project Manager will provide specialized training on Data-Based Individualization (DBI) and the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework, including creating courses for teaching the legal compliance of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).

Please note: This role requires a consistent, in-person presence at the designated workplace in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with no remote, telecommuting, or hybrid options.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, or a related field [official transcripts required upon hire];
• Five (5) years of experience in education, with a focus on professional development and instructional leadership;
• Possession of a valid standard teaching certificate.

Special Requirements

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship now or in the future;
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check;
• Must possess a valid driver's license from a U.S. state or territory to perform necessary job-related travel.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Knowledge & Expertise: Expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating professional development programs for educators. Knowledge of best practices in adult learning and professional growth. In-depth knowledge of evidence-based instructional practices in K-12 education.
• Professional Development: Develop and implement comprehensive professional development programs in reading, math, and writing, ensuring alignment with national accreditation standards. Plan state-wide conference in collaboration with colleagues. Create asynchronous training modules with assessments to determine content of mastery. Utilizing the results from the evaluations, identify targeted training needs and create professional development plans to match the area of educational need.
• Instructional Leadership Improvement: Support the adoption of evidence-based instructional practices and eliminate ineffective methods. Provide guidance and resources to instructional leaders to enhance teaching quality and student outcomes.
• Data-Based Individualization (DBI) Training: Design and deliver in-depth training on DBI, ensuring educators understand and can implement this process effectively. Support teachers in using data to inform instructional decisions and personalize student interventions.
• Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Framework: Provide comprehensive training on the MTSS framework, including its application in identifying students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). Guide educators through the eligibility process using the scientific, research-based interventions (RtI) model.
• Program Evaluation and Improvement: Evaluate the effectiveness of professional development programs through data analysis and feedback from participants. Continuously improve training content and delivery methods based on evaluation results and emerging best practices.
• Collaboration and Communication: Work closely with school administrators, instructional coaches, and teachers to ensure professional development programs meet their needs. Communicate program updates, successes, and areas for improvement to stakeholders.
• Resource Development: Create and disseminate high-quality training materials and resources to support professional development initiatives. Ensure all materials are up-to-date, research-based, and aligned with best practices.
• Project Management: Manage multiple professional development projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and alignment with strategic goals. Develop project plans, monitor progress, and adjust strategies as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
• Professional Demeanor: Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude at all times; ability to build and maintain positive work relationships; demonstrate integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of your work; ability to display a high level of professionalism in communication, behavior, and appearance; ability to accept constructive feedback to increase performance.
• Attendance: Regular and reliable in-person attendance is required to ensure quality teamwork, performance, productivity, and collaboration; ability to demonstrate a commitment to your work and team by committing to punctuality and dependability in the work environment; this includes arriving to work on time, being present, engaged, and available to colleagues, internal and external customers.
• Innovation: Ability to identify and address the evolving needs and challenges of the education landscape; ability to think critically, explore new ideas, and embrace innovative approaches to improve educational outcomes for all students; apply creativity, resourcefulness, and forward-thinking in finding solutions to complex problems and driving positive changes in the field of education.
• Efficiency: Ensure our resources are utilized effectively, and our operations are streamlined; optimize our processes, eliminate redundancies, and leverage technology to enhance productivity and performance; proactively identify opportunities for efficiency gains and implement best practices.
• Superior Customer Service: Willingness to go above and beyond to provide outstanding assistance that exceeds expectations, ability to create positive experiences and build relationships based on trust and satisfaction; maintain a positive and helpful attitude using the appropriate language, tone, and behavior to reflect the agency in a way that leaves a favorable impression.

Essential Competencies

• Effective Communication: Inspire, align, and motivate through clear and empathetic expression. Adapt to diverse audiences and situations, fostering understanding and collaboration.
• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate critical and innovative thinking to align plans with organizational goals. Analyze complex situations, identify opportunities, and develop creative strategies to achieve specific objectives. Consider multiple perspectives, short-term and long-term outcomes, and employ creative problem-solving for effective solutions.
• Decisive Planning: Set clear objectives, delegate tasks, and establish realistic timelines; adapt to uncertainty by making informed decisions swiftly, while developing contingency plans for flexibility in changing circumstances.
• Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrate self-awareness and adeptness in managing emotions, fostering positive relationships, and cultivating a harmonious work environment. Exhibit strong interpersonal skills for conflict resolution and navigating difficult conversations with professionalism seeking constructive outcomes.
• Visionary Thinking: Envisions and inspires a future state divergent from the present reality; demonstrates a deep understanding of trends, challenges, and opportunities, using this insight to imagine and articulate a compelling future vision.
• Adaptability: Thrives in changing circumstances and embraces flexibility; effectively adjusts approach, behavior, and mindset to overcome challenges and ensure forward progress for teams.
• Accountability: Takes ownership and responsibility for actions, decisions, and outcomes; demonstrates transparency and willingness to address any negative consequences resulting from actions taken.
• Coaching and Mentoring: Guides and supports team members to develop new skills, reach their potential, and foster growth within the organization; provides guidance, feedback, and assistance to help staff achieve their professional goals and enhance their skills for optimal development.
• Team Building: Builds and manages teams with a focus on fostering collaboration, trust, and respect; enhances team dynamics and relationships to promote effective communication, efficient collaboration, and improved teamwork.
• Results Orientation: Drives progress and success by maintaining a strong focus on achieving desired outcomes. Sets clear goals, identifies necessary steps, and takes decisive actions to propel the organization forward; monitors progress and adjusts strategies as needed to ensure goal attainment.
• Technology Proficiency: Identifies opportunities to optimize efficiency and enhance services through technology; utilizes software, hardware, and relevant tools to streamline processes, automate tasks, and elevate customer experiences; adapts to emerging technologies and quickly learns new technological advancements.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Location: Oliver Hodge Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Work Environment includes:

  • Office Setting: Climate-controlled office setting with exposure to moderate noise; the employee is frequently required to talk, walk, and stand; this position requires long periods of sitting and daily use of computer and phone. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time.

• Physical Demands include:

  • Ability to stand, reach, and bend 50% of the time;

  • Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine/printer, and office telephone 75% of the time;

  • Ascends/descends stairs 25% of the time;

  • Ability to lift to 25 lbs.