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3/10/2026 (7:00 PM EST)

26-00813

KBE/KDE Ed Academic Program Manager (FFTL)

Salary

$10,683.26 Monthly

Employment Type

EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | INELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

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Hiring Agency

Education & Labor Cabinet | Department of Education

Location

300 Sower Blvd
Frankfort, KY 40601 USA

Description

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is a service agency of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and part ofthe Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. The department provides resources and guidance to Kentucky'spublic schools and districts as they implement the state's P-12 education requirements. The department alsoserves as the state liaison for federal education requirements and funding opportunities.

This is a federally funded time-limited (FFTL) position. This means it is a position that is paid entirely as the result of a federal grant. The duration of employment shall not exceed the life of the federal grant that funds the position. An employee appointed to an FFTL position is required to meet the minimum requirements for the classification. Further, an employee appointed to an FFTL position is designated as an unclassified (non-merit) employee. An FFTL employee is eligible to receive benefits at the same level as a classified (merit) employee in a permanent position.

The department seeks to hire a smart, experienced, hardworking and dependable KBE/KDE Education AcademicProgram Manager to join our dedicated team. This position serves as the administrator (director) of Office ofSpecial Education and Early Learning's(OSEEL) Early Learning Unit. This role represents a fantasticopportunity to work in a dynamic, challenging and professional environment. We invite you to apply for theopportunity to allow you to expand your learning potential, while receiving a steady income and benefits. Welook forward to reviewing your application!

The department's major activities include:

• Administering the statewide assessment and accountability system
• Providing technical assistance to schools and districts in the areas of finance, management andcurriculum
• Providing support and information to the Kentucky Board of Education as it promulgates state educationregulations
• Overseeing the state education technology system
• Monitoring school and district compliance with state and federal laws
• Providing instructional services to students at Kentucky School for the Blind, Kentucky School for theDeaf and the Area Technology Centers.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• The Director of the Early Learning Unit leads statewide preschool initiatives under OSEEL, providing strategicdirection, oversight, compliance, technical assistance, and partnership development.
• The director ensuresquality and program fidelity across state-funded preschool, including special education and related servicesfor preschool students with individual education plans (IEP), aligning efforts with the Individuals withDisabilities Education Act (IDEA), state statutes, and KDE priorities.
• Develop, refine and implement the strategic vision and goals for early learning within OSEEL
• Align early learning goals with OSEEL North Star Priorities and KDE goals and priorities
• Lead statutory, regulatory, and policy development and revision for early learning programs
• Represent OSEEL in internal leadership teams, cross-unit coordination, and external advisorygroups and councils
• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of state preschool programs
• Monitor compliance with federal and state requirements (e.g. IDEA, state preschool statutes andregulations)
• Establish and manage continuous quality improvement systems
• Provide accountability (data, reporting, quality ratings, audits) for state preschool programs.
• Provide guidance, training, and support to Kentucky's Early Childhood Regional Training Centers (RTCs)and local education agencies (LEAs)
• Lead the development and dissemination of guidance documents, toolkits, and resources for educators,early childhood partners, and families
• Support professional development and coaching systems for early childhood educators
• Establish and maintain partnerships with state and national early childhood stakeholders
• Supervise direct reports in the Early Learning Unit
• Provide performance management, coaching, and professional growth opportunities
• Foster a collaborative, high-functioning culture
• Support early learning funding, policy, and legislative initiatives and requirements
• Represent the Kentucky Board of Education and the KDE in regional or national early learning forums.
• Oversee data collection, validation, and reporting of early learning indicators
• Use data to inform program improvement, resource allocation, and policy decisions
• Prepare reports, briefs, and presentations for internal leadership, Kentucky's General Assembly, thepublic, or the U.S. Department of Education
• Manage the Early Learning Unit's budget and ensure responsible stewardship of funds
• Oversee grants, contracts, and vendor agreements tied to early learning initiatives
• Adjust resource allocations as neededPerform other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:Five or more years of successful experience in early childhood/preschool education including leadership oflarge-scale or statewide initiatives.

Demonstrated expertise in federal and state early learning requirements, including IDEA (Part B and Part C),state preschool statutes, and early childhood systems.

Experience in policy development, data-informed decision-making, and management of budgets, grants, andcontracts supporting early learning programs.

Benefits and Perks:

• Comprehensive health insurance (effective first day of employment)
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life Insurance
• Retirement savings.
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, compensatory, jury, voting, election, blood donation, living organ,educational, military)
• Paid holidays (12.5 days per year, 13.5 days in a Presidential Election year)
• A collaborative and innovative work environment
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employee Recognition

Applicants and employees in this classification may be required to submit to a drug screening test andbackground check.

Applicants currently under contract with a local school district are required to provide a written releasefrom their superintendent prior to an offer of employment is given.

In accordance with KRS 161.220 the applicant selected for this position will become a member of the Teachers'Retirement System.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION:Applicants must be a graduate of a college or university with a master's degree in education

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS:Must havefive years of professional experience in education, vocational education, or a related field.

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE:NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION:NONE

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.):NONE

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Kanaka Aspari at [email protected] or 502-564-3716.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D