Administrative Consultant (CSP Co-Director)

Full Job Description

The Iowa Department of Education’s mission is ensuring all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish this mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

The Administrative Consultant – Iowa Charter School Program (I-CSP) provides statewide leadership, coordination, and operational oversight to support the effective implementation of Iowa’s federal Charter School Program grant.

In collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Project Director (Co-PD), this position plays a critical role in strengthening high-quality charter school authorization, monitoring, and continuous improvement practices across the state.

This consultant leads key administrative and grant management functions, including budgeting, evaluation, and reporting; supports professional learning and technical assistance; and fosters collaboration among charter schools, districts, and community partners.

A central focus of this role is advancing high-quality, equitable educational opportunities through strong charter oversight, evidence-based practices, and alignment with state strategic priorities.

Your Responsibilities:

Grant Coordination and Leadership

• Facilitate communication and collaboration across grant-related teams to ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, and timelines.
• Promote efficient workflow, accountability, and alignment of activities with grant goals and federal expectations.
• Coordinate meetings and activities with internal and external partners, including federal and state stakeholders.

Administrative and Fiscal Management

• Manage grant operations, including budgeting, expenditures, procurement, and compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Monitor progress toward deliverables and maintain documentation for reporting and audit purposes.
• Support cost allocation, contract development, and monitoring of grant-funded activities.

Evaluation and Reporting

• Oversee project evaluation processes and ensure timely, accurate reporting to the U.S. Department of Education.
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize program data to support continuous improvement and strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate with evaluation partners to establish meaningful performance measures and communicate outcomes.

Charter Authorization and Monitoring

• Establish, refine, and implement effective charter authorization and monitoring practices aligned with Iowa Code and national best practices.
• Strengthen charter application, review, and renewal processes to incorporate I-CSP expectations and high standards of quality.
• Conduct rigorous application and renewal reviews to ensure performance, compliance, and accountability.
• Develop and implement Iowa’s High-Quality Monitoring Review process for charter renewals andclosures.
• Manage I-CSP grant contracts and ensure alignment between contractual obligations and program goals.

• Design and deliver research-based professional learning and technical assistance to support charter school quality, sustainability, and compliance.
• Collaborate with the Iowa Coalition as the professional development partner to ensure coherent and aligned supports.
• Establish and maintain the Iowa Charter School Network to promote ongoing, needs-based support.
• Foster peer collaboration among charter schools and between charter and traditional public schools.
  Strengthen family and community engagement to support equitable and inclusive learning environments.

A successful candidate will bring, or have the ability and desire to learn:

• Experience in grant administration, budgeting, and federal reporting.
• Knowledge of charter school authorization, monitoring, and accountability systems.
• Strong project management, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze data and use findings to guide program improvement.
• Experience designing and delivering professional learning.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including state agencies, school leaders, families, and community partners.
• Knowledge of education policy, compliance, and continuous improvement frameworks.

If you wish to review a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire, please contact idoe.hr@iowa.gov.

Candidates are encouraged to include detailed information about their relevant experience in their application, or submit a cover letter and resume in addition to their application.

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of children, their families, and Iowa communities
• Collaborative, positive work environment
• Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and benefits package:

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.

The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov

Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.