DEPT OF EDUCATION

The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.

ESS, PROJECT SPECIALIST II

Job Location:

Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Section

Phoenix Location

Posting Details:

Salary: $49,000 - $55,000 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: 08/18/2025

Job Summary:

• This position is responsible for providing administrative support to the Director of Finance for the Exceptional Student Services.
• Rare in-state travel may be required for this position.

The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

Job Duties:

• Manage incoming calls directing them to the appropriate departments, calendar/meeting scheduling, organizing travel arrangements, and tracking timelines
• Assist divisional staff on various projects and initiatives along with constituents daily
• Provide administrative support for both the ESS Projects and ESS Program Management teams within the ESS Finance Unit; organization and coordination due to overlapping deadlines for both teams during the summer months
• Support the ESS Project team in the Arizona Procurement Portal (APP) with contracts, requisitions, purchase orders and invoices
• Assist the ESS Program Management team in GME by entering history log comments, reminders, as well as looking up sensitive information
• Manage communications & timelines for the ESS Finance team which ensures compliance with requirements under the IDEA grant and Arizona procurement policies
• Research, interpret, and draft policies & procedures for authorizing legislation, all program rules and regulations, and applicable guidelines
• Assist with creating, and editing the Finance team ADE web page
• Assist with out-of-state travel arrangements for ESS Finance Director and Staff
• Prepare all of the documents, work with ESS Project Management to register participants, make all arrangements for staff, and communicate these with staff

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:
• Computer systems and telephone hardware and software
• Time management strategies
• Content Management System
• Applicants must have experience with administrative support.

Skills in:
• Interpersonal skills that promote public and customer relations
• Both oral and written communication
• Organizing, scheduling, coordinating, and transcribing
• Intermediate skills in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Ability to:
• Evaluate situations and respond quickly and tactfully
• Problem-solving
• Instill trust and confidence
• Develop rapport with a variety of stakeholders
• Develop and maintain professional relationships

Selective Preference(s):

N/A

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• Ten paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Deferred com