The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL), has an opening for a KBE/KDE Education Academic Program Manager in Frankfort. This position serves as the administrator (director) of OSEEL's Early Learning Unit.
OUR MISSION
To partner with districts, schools, families, students, business, industry, and communities to provide leadership and support to ensure success for each and every student.
OUR CORE VALUES- Equity
- Achievement
- Collaboration
- Integrity
The department's major activities include:- Administering the statewide assessment and accountability system;
- Providing technical assistance to schools and districts in the areas of finance, management and curriculum;
- Providing support and information to the Kentucky Board of Education as it promulgates state education regulations;
- Overseeing the state education technology system; and
- Monitoring school and district compliance with state and federal laws.
- Providing instructional services to students at Kentucky School for the Blind, Kentucky School for the Deaf and the Area Technology Centers.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: The Director of the Early Learning Unit leads statewide preschool initiatives under OSEEL, providing strategic direction, oversight, compliance, technical assistance, and partnership development.
The director ensures quality and program fidelity across state-funded preschool, including special education and related services for preschool students with Individual Education Plans (IEP), aligning efforts with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), state statutes, and KDE priorities.
Develop, refine, and implement the strategic vision and goals for early learning within OSEEL.
Aligning early learning goals with OSEEL North Star Priorities and KDE goals/priorities.
Lead statutory, regulatory, and policy development/revision for early learning programs.
Represent OSEEL in internal leadership teams, cross-unit coordination, and external advisory groups/councils.
Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of state preschool programs.
Monitor compliance with federal and state requirements (e.g., IDEA, state preschool statutes, and regulations).
Establish and manage continuous quality improvement systems.
Provide accountability (e.g., data, reporting, quality ratings, audits) for state preschool programs.
Provide guidance, training, and support to Kentucky's Early Childhood Regional Training Centers (RTCs) and Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
Lead the development and dissemination of guidance documents, toolkits, and resources for educators, early childhood partners, and families.
Support professional development and coaching systems for early childhood educators.
Establish and maintain partnerships with state and national early childhood stakeholders.
Supervise direct reports in the Early Learning Unit.
Provide performance management, coaching, and professional growth opportunities.
Foster a collaborative, high-functioning culture.
Support early learning funding, policy, and legislative initiatives/requirements.
Represent the Kentucky Board of Education and the KDE in regional or national early learning forums.
Oversee data collection, validation, and reporting of early learning indicators.
Use data to inform program improvement, resource allocation, and policy decisions.
Prepare reports, briefs, and presentations for internal leadership, Kentucky's General Assembly, the public, or the U.S. Department of Education.
Manage the Early Learning Unit's budget and ensure responsible stewardship of funds.
Oversee grants, contracts, and vendor agreements tied to early learning initiatives.
Adjust resource allocations as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must be a graduate of a college or university with a master's degree in education and must have five years of professional experience in education, vocational education, or a related field.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
Five or more years of successful experience in early childhood/preschool education including leadership of large-scale or statewide initiatives.
Demonstrated expertise in federal and state early learning requirements, including IDEA (Part B and Part C), state preschool statutes, and early childhood systems.
Experience in policy development, data-informed decision-making, and management of budgets, grants, and contracts supporting early learning programs.
Applicants and employees in this classification may be required to submit to a drug screening test and background check.
Applicants currently under contract with a local school district are required to provide a written release from their superintendent prior to an offer of employment is given.
In accordance with KRS 161.220 the applicant selected for this position will become a member of the Teachers' Retirement System. Pay Grade: Non-Merit Gross Monthly Salary: $10,683.26 Position Number: 31114677Please Note:This is a federally funded time limited (FFTL) position. This means the position is paid entirely as the result of a federal grant. The duration of employment shall not exceed the life of the federal grant that funds the positions. An employee appointed to an FFTL position is required to meet the minimum requirements for the classification but is not required to take an examination or be graded through the testing and evaluation process. Further, an employee appointed to an FFTL position is designated as an unclassified (non-merit) employee. An FFTL employee is eligible to receive benefits at the same level as a classified (merit) employee in a permanent position.
For further information concerning the application process, go to the following link: Personnel CabinetInquiries about this position should be directed to: Kanaka Aspari, Division of Resource Management, 300 Sower Blvd, Frankfort, KY 40601; Fax: 502-564-6771. Email:
kanaka.aspari@education.ky.gov This position will remain open until filled. The agency may authorize the selected applicant to telecommute on a hybrid schedule. The agency may terminate or modify the telecommuting arrangement at any time. Telework will not be permitted outside the state of Kentucky. The Kentucky Department of Education is a service agency of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and part of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. The department provides resources and guidance to Kentucky's public schools and districts as they implement the state's P-12 education requirements. The department also serves as the state liaison for federal education requirements and funding opportunities.
The department is led by an appointed commissioner of education, who is hired by and answers to the 11-member Kentucky Board of Education. Offices are administered by associate commissioners and divisions within those offices are administered by division directors.
The department employs approximately 425 Frankfort-based workers; 175 employees in support of the Kentucky School for the Blind (Jefferson County) and Kentucky School for the Deaf (Boyle County); and about 518 employees at the 50 Area Technology Centers across the state.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. KDE will only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.
For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that KDE has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at 1-888-897-7781 or E-Verify website
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D