Early Childhood Professional Learning Specialist (Education Program Specialist I)

Introduction

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population â students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland.

GRADE

State of Maryland Salary Grade Level 21

Salary Range: $93,138.00 - $120,491 with progression to $146,883/year

• State Salary Guidelines may apply for current State employees.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

LOCATION OF POSITION

Nancy S. Grasmick Education Building

200 W. Baltimore Streetâ¯Â

Baltimore, MD 21201Â

Main Purpose of Job

The Professional Learning Specialist leads the statewide implementation, administration, and daily operations of Marylandâs Professional Learning Approval and Compliance Framework. Reporting to the Director of Early Learning, Instruction, and Workforce Advancement, this role guides and supports the branchâs professional learning and training approval processes. The Specialist oversees daily operations, provides technical assistance, monitors quality and compliance, supports policy implementation, and ensures all work aligns with Marylandâs instructional priorities, workforce initiatives, and early childhood systems.

This position offers technical assistance for professional learning across the state. It encourages collaboration among internal and external partners, coordinates professional learning organizations and facilitators, and manages monitoring and approval processes. The role also supports ongoing improvement through data analysis and evaluation, and creates guidance, resources, and communication tools to strengthen Maryland''s early childhood workforce. The position provides day-to-day coaching, support, and operational guidance to assigned Specialists responsible for Professional Learning Systems and Professional Learning Approval activities, while ensuring work remains aligned with the Maryland State Department of Education strategic plan and priorities.

POSITION DUTIES

Provides statewide implementation and continuous improvement of Maryland''s Professional Learning Framework and Professional Learning Approval & Compliance processes.

• Â Provides technical assistance for statewide Professional Learning Organizations (PLO) and Professional Learning Facilitators (PLF) to ensure consistent implementation of policies, procedures, regulations, and quality standards.Â
• Reviews and processesâ¯professional learning submissions; evaluates Professional Learning Facilitator records; andâ¯maintainsâ¯the quality, integrity,â¯and consistencyâ¯of approval processes and CCATS administration.Â
• Reviews and maintains statewide approval records, CCATS administration,â¯compliance documentation, operational tracking processes, and renewal activities to ensureâ¯accurate,â¯timely, andâ¯consistent administration of Maryland''s Professional Learning Approval Framework.â¯Â
• Conducts monitoring, compliance, audit,â¯and renewal activities;â¯identifiesâ¯statewide trends and opportunities for continuous improvement; and provides recommendationsâ¯regardingâ¯implementation strategies, operational processes, and system enhancements.Â
• Ensures professional learning content and facilitation practices align withâ¯the Maryland Professional Learning Framework, Learning Forward Standards, Early Learning Standards, curriculum frameworks,â¯CLASS, Marylandâs Career Lattice and other applicable state priorities.â¯Â
• Provides technical assistance for the development, facilitation, and evaluation of professional learning (in-person, virtual, asynchronous, and hybrid) aligned with Maryland''s Professional Learning Framework, Learning Forward Standards, High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM), the science of reading, early mathematics, CLASS, and implementation of Marylandâs Career Lattice, and other State priorities.   Â
• Providesâ¯guidance on Professional Learning Organization and Professional Learning Facilitator approval processes by interpreting regulations, policies, and procedures and ensuring consistent implementation across Maryland.â¯Â

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:â¯â¯â¯A Masterâs degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work from an accredited college or university.

Experience:â¯Four years of teaching and/or administrative experience in, or affiliated with, an education program. Experience leading workshops, coaching sessions, or professional learning for early childhood educators.  Â

Notes:Â

• Candidates may substitute two additional years of experience directly related to the position option for the required education.Â
• Candidates may substitute for the possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the position option for one year of the required experience.Â
• The required fields of education and experience are unique for each option and are established by MSDE in accordance with Education Article, Section 2-104 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.â¯â¯The specific education and experience qualifications for each position are on record in the Human Resource Management Branch of the Division of Business Services. Â
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Education Program classifications or Education Program specialty codes in the Education field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.Â

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet the selective qualification(s) to be considered.â¯Include clear and specific information on your application regardingâ¯your qualifications.Â

• Applicants must have 1 year of experience leading or coordinating statewide professional learning, educator development, adult learning, or a comparable statewide education initiativeÂ

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicantsâ¯who possess the following preferred qualification(s).â¯Include clear and specific information on your application regardingâ¯your qualifications.

• Graduate degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, Adult Learning, Public AdministrationÂ
• Knowledge of Learning Forward Standards and evidence-based professional learning practices.Â
• Experience reviewing, evaluating, and providing feedback on professional learning proposals using quality standards and rubrics.Â
• Experience leading statewide change initiatives involving multiple stakeholder groups.Â
• Experience providing executive-level guidance, policy interpretation, and strategic recommendations.Â
• Experience with statewide data systems, Learning Management Systems (e.g., Canvas), CCATS, or comparable platforms.Â
• Demonstrated ability to build statewide partnerships, facilitate high-level meetings, manage competing priorities, and successfully implement large-scale initiatives.Â

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operatorâs license valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are subject to a criminal background investigation in accordance with the federal Family Lawâ¯Article, Section 5.5.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.â¯We will not consider information submitted after this date.â¯Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on theâ¯eligible (employment) list for at least one year. The selected candidate will be subject to a criminal history background check as the final step in the selection process.â¯Please do not put "See Resume" in the job duties section of your application and or supplemental questionnaire.â¯â¯Your application will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only solicited materials will be accepted for this recruitment

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

It is preferred that applicants complete the MD State Government online application for employment. The application must clearly demonstrate that you meet the qualifications for the position. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and mailed to MSDE Human Resources Branch, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application, if you are unable to apply online.

All application materials must be received in our office by the closing date. Postmarks will not be accepted. Applications must be complete to be considered including all related job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume. Additional required materials may be uploaded with the online application or mailed to the Human Resources Branch address listed above.

Inquiries can be made to 410-767-0012, TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities.

If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the Stateâs diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.