Instructional Systems Specialist (English for Speakers of other Languages PK-12).

About the Role

This position involves leading and supporting English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs for PK-12 students, educators, and senior leaders within a federal education activity.

Responsibilities

• Provide educational products (e.g., instructional methods, curriculum, resources, and technology) to support PK-12 ESOL students.
• Lead the systemic review of ESOL curriculum for PK-12 grades to ensure improvement and currency.
• Implement ESOL professional development for PK-12 educators.
• Advise senior leaders on the management of the ESOL PK-12 program.
• Apply Multilingual Learner Program (MLP) theory and practice, implement evidence-based instructional frameworks, assessment systems, or program evaluation.
• Monitor compliance to ensure adherence to federal, state, or organizational requirements.

Requirements

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship required.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• One-year probationary period may be required.
• Appointment subject to a suitability/fitness determination, as determined by a background investigation.
• This position requires a Tier 1 (T1) investigation.
• Must submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
• May be required to sign a transportation agreement.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Requirement.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the following employment authority categories are eligible:

• Current Competitive Service Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Civilian Employee
• Current Department of War (DoW) Civilian Employee
• Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Non-Department of War (DoW) Transfer
• People with Disabilities, Schedule A
• Priority Placement Program, DoW Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoW Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoW MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoW Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

Basic Education Requirement:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in the following areas (must include study in at least four of the five):
  • Learning theory, psychology of learning, educational psychology: Study of learning theories as they relate to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional material.
  • Instructional design practices: Study of the principles and techniques used in designing training programs, developing design strategy and models, and applying design methods to the improvement of instructional effectiveness.
  • Educational evaluation: Study of the techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of instructional/educational programs, including developing written and performance tests and survey instruments, and determining reliability and validity of evaluation instruments.
  • Instructional product development: Study of the techniques appropriate for developing training materials, including identifying learner characteristics, specifying objectives, applying training strategy, validating training materials, and evaluating training.
  • Computers in education and training: Study of the application of computers in education and training, including selecting appropriate computer software.
• Transcripts for all degrees (bachelor’s and higher) must be submitted; failure to do so will result in application rejection.
• Foreign education must be evaluated by a private organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education programs and deemed equivalent to a U.S. education program. More information.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience leading programming for PK-12 ESOL, evaluating PK-12 ESOL programs, providing professional development to PK-12 teachers, and monitoring compliance with federal, state, or organizational requirements. This experience must be above the PK-12 school level (e.g., central/district office, state agency).

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-12).

Additional Information

• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from the Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Effective January 1, 2018, most civilian employee relocation allowances are taxable. The Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) reimburses eligible employees for additional Federal, State, and local income taxes incurred due to taxable travel income. RITA does not apply to new government employees or those returning from overseas for separation.
• This position requires a 1-year probationary period to evaluate fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) requests for disabilities covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 may be submitted for online assessments. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Procedures for requesting RA.