Jobs and Careers

Program Specialist III - PK-12 Clinical Experience

Iowa State University

MACKAY - Mackay Hall, United States, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 27 Jun 2025

About the role

Position Title:

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Special Required Qualifications

Drivers License

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Education or related field.
3+ years of classroom teaching experience in a PK-8 setting.
Leadership experience in a PK-8 school setting.
Experience coaching or mentoring PK-8 classroom teachers and/or pre-service teachers.
Experience serving as a cooperating teacher or university supervisor to pre-service teachers.
Experience supervising or managing people.

Job Description:

Are you experienced in PK–12 education and eager to support the next generation of teachers?

Iowa State University is seeking a Program Specialist III - PK-12 Clinical Experience to support the College of Health and Human Sciences - School of Education Teacher Education Unit. This position plays a vital role in coordinating pre-service teacher field experiences across 13 program areas, ensuring placements meet state licensure and university standards.

What you’ll do:

Coordinate and manage field placements for pre-service teacher candidates by building strong relationships with school district leaders, administrators, and cooperating teachers.
Schedule and document placements in accordance with Iowa Code and program requirements.
Serve as the instructor of record for field experience courses across multiple content areas, evaluating candidates and supporting their development in the field.
Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a team of contracted university supervisors who provide in-field support to teacher candidates.
Communicate field expectations, procedures, and deadlines to students, faculty, and school partners.
Organize and lead events that support field experience preparation and engagement.
Resolve complex issues independently and ensure all activities meet licensure and accreditation requirements.

This position supports teacher education across Iowa State and requires initiative, sound judgment, and collaborative coordination with schools and colleges throughout the state.

Additional information:

Position type: Full-time, continuous role with an 11-month schedule; the month of July is designated as time off.
Location: On-site at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, with in-state travel required
Residency requirement: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

About the department:

The College of Health and Human Sciences - School of Education at Iowa State University houses the university’s Teacher Education Unit Administration, which oversees educator preparation programs across the university. The field experience coordination team ensures high-quality placements and professional growth opportunities for teacher candidates while supporting compliance with licensure, accreditation, and institutional standards. Learn more at https://education.iastate.edu

What we offer – exceptional benefits:

Working at Iowa State University means you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and career:

Work/life balance: Iowa State University was voted Best Place for Working Parents 2025
Generous vacation and sick leave – 24 vacation days, 18 sick days, and 11 paid holidays
Excellent health insurance options – including dental and vision coverage
Retirement plans with employer contributions – choose from multiple plans to secure your future
Tuition reimbursement and professional development support – grow with us
Wellness programs and work-life resources – including mental health and counseling support

Explore Iowa State’s benefits: https://www.hr.iastate.edu/benefits