Arizona Department of Education

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

Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Section
Phoenix Location 

Salary: $66,000 - $72,000 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 03/31/24

• This position will serve Arizona's educational landscape in data analysis, planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating professional learning opportunities to improve literacy outcomes for students with disabilities.
• 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.

• Lead the planning, development, organization, implementation, and evaluation of professional learning offerings on topics related to individualizing literacy instruction and instructional modifications, accommodations, and specially designed instruction that improves the literacy skills of students with disabilities
• Provide technical assistance and coaching to general educators, special educators, instructional coaches, administrators, and other agency partners regarding strategies that individualize literacy instruction and improve literacy outcomes for students with disabilities
• Literacy guidance and technical assistance: building, maintaining, and disseminating guidance documents and resources; providing technical assistance over the phone, via email, virtually, and in-person that led to improved literacy skills of students with disabilities; and updating the ADE/ESS website with information about available resources
• Engage in an ongoing strategic planning process that uses data analysis to determine areas in need of improvement for our state, identifies and prioritizes technical assistance and professional learning aligned to those areas of need, and evaluates the fidelity of the implementation of technical assistance and professional learning designed to improve literacy outcomes for students with disabilities
• Work with teacher preparation programs, technical assistance centers, organizations that promote literacy instruction, and other agency partners to improve the preparation of general and special educators in literacy teaching and learning and identify trends/needs
• Participate in various department/division task teams, special projects, and professional learning as necessary to carry out work-related requirements

Knowledge in:
• Understanding of IDEA/FAPE
• Understanding special education services on the spectrum of the least restrictive environment
• Inclusion
• Understand disability categories
• Collaboratively planning instruction between general and special education
• (SDI) Specially designed instruction
• (UDL) Universal Design for Learning, Differentiated Instruction, Accommodations
• (MTSS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
• Monitoring individual goals, tracking and communicating progress
• Determining instructional needs
• Evidence-based practices/high-leverage practices for students with disabilities
• Adult learning theory for virtual learning and in-person professional learning development
• Arizona Language Arts Anchor Standards
• Applicants must have teaching experience and Reading Endorsement.
• A bachelor’s degree in education with specialization in reading or special education, or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required.
Skills in:
• Coaching
• Organization
• Oral/written communication
• Data collection and analysis
• Written reports
• Customer service
• Management of materials
• Presentation to large and small groups
Ability to:
• Organize, prioritize, work under time constraints, and be flexible in an environment of multiple tasks and changing priorities
• Credibility with schools and other stakeholders; demonstrated ability to lead and manage change
• Successfully work independently as well as in a team environment
• Have a high degree of professionalism, integrity, and dependability
• Communicate with individuals from varied educational and cultural backgrounds
• Maintain accurate records
• Develop as a professional educator
• Communicate effectively and tactfully in both oral and written forms
• Prepare a variety of reports and presentations
• Use technology for instructional purposes as well as to communicate and create
• Presentations and reports, collect, analyze, and use student data to identify learning needs
• Meet schedules and timelines

• Preference will be given to those applicants with a master’s degree in education with specialization in reading or special education.

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).

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

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.

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 (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

To submit your resume, click the "APPLY NOW" button below.

Having trouble applying for this position?

Email HRIShelpdesk@azdoa.gov or call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.