Education Program Consultant

Job Description

Iowa Department of Education’s mission is ensuring all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential. The Education Program Consultant (Data and Reporting) provides data support for the Bureau of Community Colleges data team by managing student, staff, and course databases across Iowa’s 15 community colleges for state and federal accountability reporting. Key responsibilities include cleaning data, automating validation processes, and providing technical assistance to educational and legislative stakeholders. Additionally, the position manages candidate records for high school equivalency diplomas (HSED).

Your Responsibilities:

As a member of the Bureau of Community College data team:

• Provide leadership in data processing and programming to create detailed and summary databases of students, staff, and credit and non-credit course information received from Iowa's 15 community colleges for state and federal accountability reporting purposes.
• Acquire data from primary or secondary data sources and maintain statewide databases/data systems.
• Assist with the maintenance of the statewide community college management information system (MIS) database.
• Evaluate and design data processing support for the community college MIS, including developing or locating new process improvement opportunities, including web-based data submission.
• Edit the community college databases and the division's MIS using either programming language such as Visual Basic, Access, SQL, and Excel, or working with contractors to develop such edits and processes.
• Filter and "clean" data by reviewing reports, printouts, and performance indicators to locate and correct code problems.
• Design processes to automate edits into the statewide submission process with immediate feedback of validation issues or data irregularities.
• Provide data and technical assistance to division staff, supervisors, and various education and legislative stakeholders for year-end federal reporting (comprehensive annual report) and statewide program data reporting and analysis.
• Provide technical assistance and data to the division's team responsible for implementing the Voluntary Framework of Accountability national project or any other statewide initiative.
• Other MIS/data team duties as assigned.

Coordinate the department's efforts with the issuing of high school equivalency diplomas.

• Serve as liaison with the vendor responsible for managing the issuing of high school equivalency diplomas and records.
• Coordinate the database and maintenance of accurate and complete HSED candidate records.

Support the Department, Division and Bureau priorities through performing other duties as assigned.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience utilizing Google Workspace.
• Experience with Business Analytics tools such as Power BI, Tableau, ArcGIS or similar
• Experience with programming languages such as Visual Basic, Access, SQL, and Excel, or working with contractors to develop such edits and processes. Experience with SQL is particularly desirable.
• Experience providing technical assistance and professional learning to educators.
• Experience preparing compliance data for state, federal or legislative stakeholders.
• Experience interpreting and implementing state or federal education law.

If you wish to review a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire, please contact idoe.hr@iowa.gov. Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

A successful candidate will bring or have the ability and desire to learn:

• Passion for pursuing common goals in pursuit of public service
• Strong technical skills
• Strategic and analytical mindset
• Ability to work in complex situations and meet deadlines while leading teams as a non-traditional leader (no supervisory authority)
• Experience providing technical assistance and professional learning to educators
• Ability to interpret and break down highly technical or regulatory language, and present information in an understandable manner
• Ability to manage self in relation to prioritization and time management
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
• Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of children, their families, and Iowa communities
• Collaborative, positive work environment
• Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and benefits package:

https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/employment/Benefits_Beyond_the_Paycheck.pdf

E-Verify and Right to Work The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited U.S. four-year college or university and five years of full-time post-graduate work experience in any one or a combination of the following areas: a. Professional training, teaching, or counseling experience in an educational setting;b. Professional administrative experience in an educational setting;c. Professional finance, accounting, or auditing experience, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements;d. Professional experience in a major technical program area housed within the Iowa Department of Education;e. Professional data integration, data analysis, and statistical analysis experience;f. Professional communications experience, including public relations, marketing, or journalism;g. Professional school safety and emergency preparedness experience.
2. A combination of a total of five years of post-graduate education and full-time experience (as described in number one), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited U.S. post-graduate college or university course work equals one year of full-time experience.
3. Graduation from an accredited U.S. college or university with a Master’s degree, possession of a valid Iowa Teaching Certificate, and three academic years of teaching and/or administrative experience in PK-12 and/or a post-secondary educational institution.
4. Possession of a School Business Official Authorization from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and seven years of full-time professional experience in finance, accounting, or auditing, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements. For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Benefits

Why Choose the State of Iowa? At the heart of our commitment to excellence is a dedication to our most valuable asset – our employees. Discover the outstanding benefits that set us apart as an employer of choice.

Our Robust Benefits Package Includes:

Competitive Compensation:

Enjoy a competitive salary that reflects directly on your skills and expertise. Keep in mind, your wage is just one part of your total compensation. Unlock the complete value of your employment with the State of Iowa by using our user-friendly Total Compensation Calculator. Gain insights into your comprehensive annual compensation, including salary and State-provided benefits.

Health and Wellness:

Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost.

Retirement Planning:

We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind. Click here to learn more about IPERS.

Paid Time Off:

Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters.

Professional Development:

Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

We care about your well-being beyond the workplace. Access confidential counseling, resources, and support through our Employee Assistance Program.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces all backgrounds and perspectives. We believe diversity is a strength that drives innovation.

Join Us - Elevate Your Career:

Ready to elevate your career with the State of Iowa? Click here to explore more about our unparalleled benefits and discover what makes us unique. Your success is our priority!