Requisition No: 865281 

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV-DOE - SES - 48003607

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 48003607 

Salary:  AGENCY TO UPDATE 

Posting Closing Date: 11/28/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Department of Education

Division of Public School

Just Read, Florida!

Location: Tallahassee, Turlington Building

Position Title: Program Specialist IV - SES

Salary Range: $50,000 - $65,000

CANDIDATES ARE TYPICALLY HIRED AT THE MINIMUM SALARY

This advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies up to six months.

APPLICATION INFORMATION & HIRING REQUIREMENTS

Application Information:

• Your Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.
• Work History (in easy to review chronological order) Consists of:

• • Any position held by a State of Florida Agency
  • Any position held by a Florida University
  • All periods of employment from high school graduation
  • All periods of current or prior unemployment
  • Gaps 3 months or more must be accounted for*
  • Any Education
  • Any Volunteer Experience
  • Your resume and application must match
• *Gaps 3 months or more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history. Your candidate profile will be converted to your official application.
• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for reference checks or the contact information for your Human Resources office to verify current or former employment.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.  

Hiring Information and Requirements:

• The Bureau of Personnel Management reviews every application for prior State of Florida and Florida University work history in the People First system.

• If claiming Veteran’s Preference, the candidate MUST attach supporting documentation such as the DD214 and your VA Letter that reflects level of disability if applicable. Applicable to career service positions only.
• If claiming Right to First Interview, the candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions. Applicable to career service positions only.

If you are missing any of the items above, your packet may be held up at the final review step.

NOTE: Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

OFFICE CONTACT:

Lee Peck, 850-245-0503

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Program Specialist IV in this role provides statewide leadership, coordination and assistance for reading instruction in the implementation of education reform and accountability.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Note: The omission of specific job duties does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.)

The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has an open position that is responsible for executing the following functions:

Under the direction of the Educational Policy Director of Just Read, Florida! Office, this position provides statewide leadership, coordination and assistance for reading instruction in the implementation of education reform and accountability.

•  As Reading Specialist, this position provides statewide leadership, coordination and assistance for reading instruction in the implementation of education reform and accountability.  This requires consulting and assisting in a variety of educational program initiatives. 
• Provides leadership, coordination and technical assistance in the design, development and implementation of a variety of State mandates and literacy initiatives that occur across the year.
• Provides leadership, coordination and technical assistance to Department personnel, school districts and other education stakeholders on instructional programs, research, best practices, innovations, materials and strategies related to the teaching of reading and language arts in grades K-12.
• Create and provide professional development, field questions and correspondence for K-12 Language Arts - B.E.S.T. ELA Standards grounded in the science of reading.
• Assists professionals in other areas in developing reading strategies for implementation of interdisciplinary instruction.
• Assists in the implementation of school improvement activities statewide, especially for low performing schools.
• Participates in the activities of professional organizations as they relate to state leadership responsibilities in the area of literacy instruction.
• Assists other bureaus in the development, dissemination, distribution and implementation of literacy instructional programs and materials.
• Ensures reading related content on CPALMS is updated and in place.  Serves on special boards, task forces or committees as requested. 
• Review and approve K-12 Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plans.
• Participate in professional learning opportunities to keep abreast of the latest research in reading/English language arts and effective instructional implications that lead all students to be successful in all disciplines.
• Performs other related duties as required.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

The ideal incumbent must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities, and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions. The incumbent must interact courteously with others. The performance and behavior of all employees must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge: A thorough understanding of the following is vital:
• Reading processes, acquisition, assessment, curriculum and instruction
• Systematic, explicit instruction in oral language development, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension
•  Instructional coaching approaches and strategies for teaching adult learners
• Scientific reading research and evidence-based practices for effective classroom instruction, assessment and intervention
• Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards for English Language Arts
• Florida’s Multi-Tiered System of Support/Response to Intervention
• Data analysis and application

• Skills: Acquisition of the following expertise is crucial:
• Ability to support implementation of major literacy initiatives and priorities
• Ability to effectively prioritize, schedule, manage and organize multiple daily tasks to achieve goals
• Ability to produce quality comprehensive documents and reports under tight timelines
• Ability to rapidly acquire and apply new skills and information
• Strong observation skills and the ability to provide effective instructional feedback
• Ability to identify problems and develop appropriate solutions
• Use effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to engage in difficult and candid conversations with staff and a variety of stakeholders

• Attributes: The following personal qualities are essential:
• Sense of urgency for literacy achievement
• Motivating others to perform at high standards
• High degree of professionalism to ensure and protect the confidentiality of the Department, staff and stakeholders
• Strong work ethic, self-directed, reliable and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• High quality interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to and interact with adults exhibiting a range of abilities and dispositions
• Persistent in spite of obstacles
• Ability to orchestrate change/Maintain a growth mindset
• Value lifelong learning
• Belief that all students can learn to read
• Desire and ability to grow professionally

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 6 years of direct experience in reading/literacy or endorsed or certified in reading
• Certification in PreKindergarten/Primary Education (Age 3 - Grade 3), Elementary Education, English 5-9, English 6-12, and/or ESE K-12
• Minimum of 3 years teaching experience with documented success of teaching reading

EDUCATIONAL SUBSITITUIONS:

SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements.

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or University can substitute for 6 years of direct experience.

Related work experience may not substitute for any licensure, certification, or registration required by an agency and indicated in the advertised job description.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUATION MISSION STATEMENT

Every day the Department of Education works hand in hand with parents, teachers, educators, and community members to improve Florida's education system for students of all backgrounds and abilities. Our site reflects this cooperative relationship and the role that so many Floridians play in ensuring student success.

The FDOE’s mission for Florida’s Early Learning-20 education system is to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient system, by allowing them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued by students, parents, and communities.

Serving approximately 3 million students, 4,400 public schools, 28 colleges, 200,000 instructional staff, 46,000 college professors and administrators, and 340,000 full-time staff throughout the state, FDOE enhances programs and services for Florida’s students from early learning through college and career development. In addition, FDOE manages programs that assist individuals who are blind, visually-impaired, or disabled succeed either in school settings or careers - encouraging independence and self-sufficiency.

FDOE’s goal is to hire individuals to provide:

1. Higher Student Achievement
2. Seamless Articulation and Maximum Access
3. Skilled Workforce and Economic Development
4. Quality Services

Just Read, Florida!

WORKING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS BENEFITS!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

LEAVE INFORMATION: SES

• Annual Leave - Employees in Senior Management Service and Selected Exempt Service positions are credited with 176 hours of annual leave upon appointment. In subsequent years, the annual allotment is credited on the anniversary date of the initial appointment.

• • Sick Leave - Employees in Senior Management Service and Selected Exempt Service positions shall be credited with 104 hours of sick leave upon appointment. In subsequent years, the annual allotment is credited on the anniversary date of initial appointment.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. No applicant for a designated position will be employed, contracted or permitted to volunteer until the level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Department. Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, finger printing for all purposes and checks under this requirement, statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, federal criminal records check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local criminal records checks through local law enforcement.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM (SSS) AND REQUIREMENT

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. 

For more information, please visit the Selective Service website.

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.