Gifted Services Education Program Specialist

• Provide expertise in developing and revising academic programs to meet the needs of students who are gifted, employers, and the community by staying current on the latest research, literature, and best practices related to gifted education, including identifying and serving students who are gifted, twice exceptional students, English learners who are gifted, acceleration for advanced learners, and other related issues.
• Serve as a K-12 gifted education expert on committees for internal and external projects.
• Provide technical assistance and support to school districts and families on issues regarding gifted education, including identifying and serving gifted students (including twice exceptional students and English learners who are gifted); implementing gifted education programs and related policies; and gifted education program accountability within state accountability systems.
• Support the development of implementation tools, professional learning, and resources to help educational stakeholders design and deliver instruction aligned to Ohio’s Learning Standards to meet the needs of all learners, including gifted students.
• Communicate with the gifted education community and other key stakeholders, such as post-secondary institutions, professional associations, external agencies, and internal Department teams, to support and assist with the implementation of gifted education programs and related policies.
• Review and evaluate various data, such as EMIS data, survey responses, and budget documentation, to determine district compliance with applicable rules, regulations, and policies related to gifted program accountability within state accountability systems.
• Perform and assist with audits of district identification and service numbers for gifted students, including audits based on complaints or suspicion of noncompliance, to ensure compliance with applicable state rules, regulations, and policies.
• Monitor the allowable use of state funds for gifted education by school districts within state accountability systems.
• Monitor and approve the implementation of corrective action plans or other corrective measures, if applicable, when non-compliance is identified within state accountability systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Support the development of implementation supports, including guidance, universal professional learning, and implementation tools aligned with Ohio’s Integrated Multi Tiered Systems of Support (I-MTSS) framework, to assist educational stakeholders in designing and delivering instruction that is aligned to Ohio’s Learning Standards and meets the needs of all learners, including students who are gifted.

• Develop professional learning opportunities for K-12 Integrated MTSS implementation

The work location of this position is 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. You will be required to report to this work location full-time, if selected.

If this position is filled with an internal employee who has an approved telework agreement, the employee may be required to report in-person during the initial training period.

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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 6 years of experience providing support and services to children who are gifted, including but not limited to twice exceptional students and English learners who are gifted;
• OR 6 years of experience providing support and services to those who work with children who are gifted, including twice exceptional students and English learners who are gifted (e.g. gifted coordinator, administrator, technical assistance provider).

Preferred Qualifications:

Completion of a Master’s degree in education or related field [e.g., gifted education, special education, educational administration/leadership, curriculum, psychology, public policy administration]:

• Experience creating and delivering professional development related to gifted education;
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in implementing gifted programs;
• Experience interpreting legislation and law (e.g., Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Administrative Code, state/federal requirements and guidelines, providing direction/guidance to stakeholders);
• Demonstrated experience or knowledge base of current educational issues (e.g., ESSA, standards, curriculum, and assessment);
• Superb communication skills at all levels of an organization and with customers/partners via multiple media;
• Development of tools and technical assistance related to gifted program operations;
• Excellent interpersonal, networking, and team-building skills.

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 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.

Only For Unclassified Positions: 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.

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 ([email protected]).

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.