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Program Specialist, Literacy

Posting Begin Date: 2025/10/15

Posting End Date: 2025/10/29

Category: Education

Sub Category: K-12

Work Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: 22.40

Maximum Salary: 25.00

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Description

Idaho Department of Education

This position is exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission.

Please note: Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

The Idaho Department of Education (Department) is dedicated to serving and providing common-sense leadership, support, and resources to educators across the state. The knowledge, skills, and experience of the Department’s employees are among our most valued and important assets. Employment with the Department provides a rewarding career that positively affects the lives of children in Idaho. To learn more, please visit our website athttp://www.sde.idaho.gov/.

The Program Specialist assisting with literacy and the Idaho SMART Project manages all day-to-day logistics for running the statewide K–3 literacy initiative Idaho SMART, providing support to the Early Literacy and Dyslexia Coordinator, and providing support to the K-12 English Language Arts Coordinator. The SMART initiative includes three pathways that lead to a SMART Model School, 1,000 participants, 25 SMART Coaches, two Leadership Coaches, and two consultants. This position supports legislatively appropriated funding initiatives and coordinates activities for the Department’s initiatives. The Program Specialist will meet twice weekly with the SMART Project Coordinator and the K-12 ELA Coordinator to review tasks, confirm priorities, and finalize work products before completion.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Event Planning and Vendor Coordination:

• Coordinate event logistics, manage participants and materials, and oversee execution of the event and related tasks for follow-up of events.

Educational Materials Ordering and Distribution:

• Coordinate purchasing and vendor management in conjunction with the team’s Administrative Assistant.

• Organize, distribute, and manage accountability of educational materials.

Canvas and Technical Support for Literacy-Related Courses:

• Manage course(s) related to SMART and literacy with setup, updates, progress tracking of participants, and completion reports.

• Provide technical support and troubleshoot issues related to coach and participant technical issues, navigation, file submissions, and tool access.

Communication:

• Manage communications and inquiries related to SMART, early literacy, K-12 English Language Arts, and dyslexia, routing complex inquiries to the respective Coordinator(s).

• Distribute and maintain records of all updates and announcements.

• Assist with accessibility compliance and version control of posted resources.

Training Logistics Support:

• Track participation and completion of training related to literacy programs.

• Coordinate logistics and materials related to training sessions.

• Communicate and drive progress by sending training reminders and monitoring participants’ progress toward completion.

Contracts & Compliance – Private Entities & Vendors:

• In partnership with ELA/Literacy/Dyslexia Coordinator(s), prepare and route contracts.

• Execute and ensure contract compliance while maintaining centralized tracking of ELA, early literacy, and dyslexia contracts

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, public relations, and time management skills.

• Strong problem solving and project management skills.

• Ability to show initiative, with some knowledge of management practices such as program or project planning and implementation.

• Experience coordinating activities requiring complex arrangements.

• Ability to work accurately with attention to detail under minimal supervision.

• Ability to create and maintain accurate, accessible, and organized documentation.

• Good knowledge of office support functions including word processing, filing, composing a variety of business documents, gathering and compiling data, and balancing and coordinating a workload for multiple projects.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: (Extra consideration will be given)

• Associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

• Knowledge of current literary practices in K-12 settings.

• Administrative experience.

• Experience managing all aspects of contracts, from developing requests for proposals to managing the contract for services.

• Experience interpreting federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and policies and advising on their requirements.

• Knowledge of federal grants and allocations.

• Knowledge or current affiliation with the SMART Project.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: (with or without reasonable accommodation)

This position requires the ability to perform the following physical and job-related tasks:

• Perform general administrative duties including typing, filing, answering phones, processing paperwork, and assembling office materials.

• Maintain focus and attention to detail for extended periods.

• Understand, communicate, and follow through on program support tasks and responsibilities.

• Occasionally lift items up to 20 lbs.

TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Travel is approximately 30% of time in this position to assist Coordinator(s) with implementation of programs with schools throughout the state.

BENEFITS:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.*

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INCLUDE:

Vesting in the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI): All employees of the Idaho Department of Education are non-classified. They are appointed by the elected official and serve at the pleasure of the elected official. As such, employees working at a non-classified agency are considered vested in the PERSI retirement system after five (5) consecutive months of service, versus five (5) years of service at a classified agency.

Tuition Fee Waiver: All Idaho Department of Education employees in permanent full-time positions may register for instructional courses during any academic period, at any participating state funded institutions of higher education, for a $20.00 nonrefundable registration fee per semester and $5.00 per credit hour charge.

TO APPLY:

To apply for this position, please submit 1.) a customized letter of interest, 2.) a resume, and 3) a list of three professional references. Attach the resume to your online application. Insert your letter of interest and references into the space provided in the questions section of the application.

Your letter of interest should specifically address how your education, training and work experience meet the responsibilities, qualifications, and required skills of the position. A writing sample, such as a letter of interest, provides an opportunity to evaluate your writing skills as well as your ability to demonstrate you meet the qualifications of the position. Your resume must clearly support the information provided in your letter of interest. A resume does not substitute for a letter of interest. Applications that do not include a letter of interest will not be accepted.

EEO/ADA/VETERAN:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email[email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.