This position is in the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), Research to Practice Division (RTP). Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) formulates policy, directs, and coordinates the administration of programs for special education services to meet the needs and develop the full potential of children with disabilities. 

Duties

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 50 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 50th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first.  We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.As an Education Program Specialist, GS-1720-15, you will be responsible for:•  Serving as a nationally recognized expert in a broad education program area such as early intervention, early childhood special education, and/or family engagement. Using up-to-date research, data trends, and knowledge of the current implementation of early childhood services and programs to lead the development and implementation of a program of discretionary grants that strategically addresses the needs of the fields and supports positive outcomes for infants, toddlers, and preschool children with disabilities and their families. Leading and participating on internal and interagency workgroups, taskforces, advisory boards, and committees to ensure that policies and programs appropriately include young children and students with disabilities and their families. Responding to the needs of the systems, programs, administrators, and personnel that serve young children and students with disabilities and their families. Developing, contributing, reviewing, and supporting the development of notices inviting applications, guidance documents, reports, technical assistance documents, and presentations to advance evidence-based policy and practice in early intervention and special education. Collaborating with other supervisory education program specialists to build and maintain a work environment in RTP that is built on a foundation of equity, diversity, inclusion and promotes employee engagement and leadership. Fostering innovation and continuous improvement; encouraging frequent communication and transparency; and has processes and procedures in place that support efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. Supervising a professional staff of approximately six to eight GS13 and GS14 education program specialists to ensure they are advancing research to practice in program areas and effectively implementing IDEA Part D discretionary grant processes according to established Department procedures. 

Requirements

• Must be a US Citizen
• You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Relocation will not be paid.
• Must Complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience for the GS-15One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-14 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1.  Experience in the review, analysis, and development of policies governing early intervention and special education programs to recommend change and/or improvements.  2.  Experience developing policies, establishing priorities, and implementing procedures for grant programs management that impact early intervention and special education at the national, state, and/or local levels. 3.  Experience managing a major education program; providing guidance to Federal, State, and/or local education officials in planning, developing, and carrying out an education program or serving as a consultant to top-level Federal, State or and/local officials on education issues and programs.  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).1.  Knowledge of the statutory and regulatory provisions of the IDEA and experience with improving results outcomes for children with disabilities and their families.2.    Knowledge of issues related to the early childhood and educational systems that serve children with disabilities and their families.3.    Knowledge of a professional area in early intervention and special education policies, priorities, and activities of the Department and other organizations.4.  Skill conducting in-depth analyses involving variables and extend and apply new approaches to broad program problems. 5. Ability to plan and manage workloads through effectively managing subordinate personnel.

Education

Basic Requirements:

1. Degree: that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position to be filled, of which at least 9 semester hours must have been in education courses.

   or

2. Combination of education and experience -- at least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position to be filled, of which at least 9 semester hours must have been in education courses, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience must reflect the level and kind described in C below.

   or

3. Four years of experience that demonstrated a thorough understanding of the principles and practices underlying the work of this series. This experience must have been of such character and diversity to demonstrate that the applicant possesses an understanding of the field comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university.

   or

4. At least 1 full academic year of professional teaching experience. This experience is defined as full and primary responsibility, under general supervision, for instruction of assigned students in an accredited school or institution. This includes responsibility for preparing and presenting lessons and for evaluating students' progress, including a determination of the students' success or failure according to established criteria. Serving in an assistant capacity to a professor without the authority to determine the students' success or failure to meet course requirements does not meet this criterion.

Foreign Education:

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must submit a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.  For further information, please click Foreign Education.

Contacts

• Address EDUCATION-OFFICE OF SPECIAL ED & REHAB SERVICES 400 Maryland Ave. S.W. Attn: Human Resources Services Washington, District of Columbia 20202 United States
• Name: La Shawn Charles
• Phone: 2024019504
• Email: [email protected]