Program Specialist

Position Location:  Tallahassee, FL

Organizational Unit

The Institute for School-Community Partnerships, Integrated Services, and Child Mental Health and Educational Policy (ISCP), which is part of the College of Education, envisions that all schools in the state of Florida and nationally will have the capacity to provide a safe, effective, and efficient environment to continuously improve the academic, social, and emotional growth of all students and to actively engage families and communities in education. The ISCP’s nearly $23 million budget is derived from grants from federal, state, and private sources. It is the mission of the ISCP to implement and evaluate research-based and innovative practices in school and community settings. This is accomplished through (a) training, technical assistance, and support to key partners; (b) community-engaged research and program evaluation to inform key partners’ decision making; (c) the development of research and evidence-based documents, tools, and resources to support implementation and evaluation activities; and (d) supporting the infrastructure and capacity of key partners to implement and evaluate federal and state educational policy. 

Position Summary

The Program Specialist coordinates services provided by the Florida Migrant Education Program office in support of migrant student academic achievement. The Federal Program Specialist ensures local educational agencies (LEAs} have access to the Migrant Student Information Exchange (MSIX} and use it appropriately; conducts programmatic and fiscal monitoring of school districts and other entities that receive migrant funding; and reviews grant applications and amendments. The position also collaborates with grant personnel to design, develop, and deliver training, technical assistance, and guidance to school and district personnel throughout the state on statutes, rules, and regulations. The Federal Program Specialist provides subject matter expertise and analysis related to issues to design relevant portions of training and technical assistance. 

Manages the Migrant Student Information Exchange (MSIX) in conjunction with the Florida Migrant Interstate Program (FMIP) coordinator and MSIX State Administrator. Ensures Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) have access; resets MSIX user passwords; enters new user applications; communicates with school districts regarding accounts. Provides MSIX child count reports for use in communicating child count status with school districts. Generates, responds to, and reassigns MSIX data reports, move notices, and merge/split record notifications. Coordinates with FDOE database personnel on the administration of Florida MSIX.  Conducts programmatic and fiscal monitoring of LEAs statewide to ensure compliance with all grant terms and conditions and all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and departmental guidelines. Reviews and analyzes data regarding Migrant student outcomes for identified school districts; meets with school district leaders to review and analyze student outcomes; helps develop and implement strategies to address identified needs and barriers to student access. Plans may involve directly facilitating professional development or collaborating with FDOE personnel or partners to develop professional development targets. Reviews and prepares documents, such as score and outcome reports for Migrant students, previous grants and plans submitted by school districts to improve Migrant student outcomes, etc., prior to on-site visits. Develops monitoring reports.  Reviews grant applications and reconciles grant records for leadership review and approval. Contributes to the preparation of the annual Title I, Part C grant application. Collaborates with grant personnel to design, develop, and deliver training, technical assistance, and guidance to school and district personnel throughout the state on statutes, rules, and regulations. Provides subject matter expertise and analysis related to issues to design relevant portions of training and technical assistance. Training, technical assistance, and guidance are offered via telephone, email, webinars, technical assistance papers, presentations, workshops, etc. Assists the FMEP Director with overseeing and coordinating with the following statewide subgrants: Florida Identification and Recruitment project; Florida Migrant Interstate Project; and Florida Migrant Parent Advisory Council. Meets with subgrant coordinators to review progress on subgrant deliverables; reviews communications, training materials, and reports. Generates reports for migrant data at state and district levels. Conducts descriptive analyses (e.g., levels of proficiency, attendance rates) of Migrant student outcomes within and across school districts and compares outcomes to state performance levels and expectations; determines gaps and other issues to inform training and technical assistance. Analyzes s