EDUCATION PROGRAM CONSULTANT

2003A3

Pay Grade:  30

This is specialized professional work providing leadership in developing, implementing, evaluating, and restructuring statewide educational programs. Work involves federal and state program administration; approval, compliance, and certification; educational assistance and school improvement in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools in Kansas.

Supervision Received - LEVEL C: "Under direction…" Employees at this level usually receive a general outline of the work to be performed and are generally free to develop their own sequences and methods within the scope of established policies. New, unusual, or complex work situations are almost always referred to a superior for advice. Work is periodically checked for progress and conformance to established policies and requirements.

Difficulty - LEVEL C: Considerable… Duties which require a high degree of concentration because of the many factors which must be considered and weighed before a decision can be reached. Usually positions that require planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category.

Complexity - LEVEL D: Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple unrelated steps. Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consultation with supervisors or superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually broadly defined or technical requiring careful analysis and interpretation.

Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial.

Contacts - LEVEL C: The purpose of the contact is to influence, motivate, conduct interviews, make formal presentations or counsel to achieve common understanding or solutions to problems when the information is sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are skeptical or uncooperative. Communication techniques and well developed communication skills become an important requirement at this level.

Physical Demands - LEVEL A: The work is predominantly sedentary and requires minimal or negligible physical exertion. The employee is normally seated; however, the nature of the work allows for periods of standing or walking at will.

Environmental Conditions - LEVEL A: The work environment involves normal everyday hazards or discomforts typical of offices, meeting and training rooms, or libraries. Comfortable levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are inherent in the work environment. Exposure to deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is only occasional. The likelihood of injury is remote.

Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL C: Typically involves limited supervisory responsibility which entails performing as a "first line supervisor" for a small number of employees. Supervision is not the primary responsibility of the job. Responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling, and reviewing work and recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority.

Differs from the Education Certification Specialist class in which the incumbents analyze educational credentials and documentation submitted with applications for teacher, administrator, and school support personnel certification and advise individuals of certification requirements.

Makes presentations before lay and professional groups.

Supervises staff.

Provides leadership and consulting services to schools and districts in areas such as parenthood education, core curriculum areas, special education, fine arts, driver’s education, and safety.

Provides consultative services for general and special education programs for disadvantaged, migrant, and limited English proficient students. Provides technical and vocational programs and programs for early childhood.

Develops and implements local district staff development programs, distributes information about materials and programs for educational improvement , and assistance for local program approval. Makes presentations before lay and professional groups.

Develops curricular standards, instructional support materials, and professional development related to curriculum and school improvement issues. Assists and monitors schools participating in the State’s Quality Performance Accreditation process. Provides consultative services for the development, administration, and interpretation of the Kansas Assessment Program. Administers driver education and motorcycle safety programs.

Administers federal and state-funded education programs and grants. Provides technical assistance, staff development and support, interpretation of rules and regulations, manages grant competitions, and monitors schools participating in federal education programs.

Provides leadership for the provision of special education services in Kansas. Includes service for students ages 3-21 who have disabilities and for those that are gifted in grades K-12. Assists and monitors special education programs and provides leadership to specific programs and projects in local schools.

*Knowledge of basic educational and school improvement principles, practices, trends, and theories.

*Knowledge of instructional strategies, methods, and curriculum principles.

Knowledge of assessment tools, such as tests and writing assignments, and uses of assessment tools and measurements.

Knowledge of staff development strategies and principles.

*Ability to facilitate and work effectively in work groups and teams.

*Ability to write well and speak effectively before groups and the public.

*Ability to utilize technology.

*Ability to evaluate educational methods, processes and outcomes, materials, equipment and facilities used in elementary schools, secondary schools, community colleges, vocational education, specific subject matter areas, or in special education programs.

*Ability to problem solve and think creatively.

*Ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts.

*Ability to demonstrate leadership and to motivate others.

*Necessary at Entry

Master's degree in education, special education, educational administration, or relevant field of work.

Advanced degree from an accredited university or college in relevant degree field(s) as determined by the agency.

NC: 06/93
REV: 12/95
REV: 10/98
REV: 02/00
REV: 09/03
REV: 08/05
REV: 02/08