Professional Learning Specialist

The Professional Learning Specialist will support the project team in planning, organizing, communicating, and monitoring evidence-based services with project partners and ensure they are aligned with specified project outcomes. The incumbent will utilize project management, participant management, and the development of high-quality resources supporting the Professional Learning services.

Essential Job Duties & Functions:

Professional Learning Facilitation

• Facilitation and Instruction: Deliver engaging professional learning sessions, workshops, and seminars that fully address the instructional learning goals. Utilize various instructional methods and adult learning principles to cater to diverse learning styles.
• Mentoring and Coaching: When appropriate, provide one-on-one coaching and mentorship to stakeholders to enhance their skills and professional growth.
• Technology Integration: Utilize instructional technology tools to support online and blended learning opportunities. Stay current with e-learning trends and best practices.
• Communication and Promotion: Promote professional learning opportunities to employees and encourage participation. Use various communication channels to raise awareness and generate interest in the sponsored project's offerings.

Evidence-Based Design

• Identification of Research Objectives: Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to define question(s) that need to be addressed through a literature review.
  
• Search Strategy: Develop a comprehensive search strategy to identify relevant literature sources.
• Literature Search: Collect, organize, and catalog literature sources and evaluate the quality, relevance, and credibility of the literature sources.
• Synthesis and Analysis: Summarize key findings and insights from the reviewed literature. Identify common themes, trends, and gaps in existing knowledge and research.
• Evidence-Based Recommendations: Offer evidence-based recommendations and insights based on the literature review to guide decision-making and project services.

  Instructional Design

• Needs Analysis: Collaborate with stakeholders to identify learning needs and performance gaps within the organization. Determine the knowledge and skills employees require to meet organizational goals.
• Learning Objectives: Define clear and measurable learning objectives for each instructional program.
• Curriculum Development: Design comprehensive curriculum or professional learning programs that cover the identified learning objectives. Organize content logically and in a sequential manner.
• Content Creation: Develop educational content, including written materials, multimedia presentations, videos, e-learning modules, and assessments. Ensure that content is engaging, informative, and interactive.
• Instructional Strategies: Select appropriate instructional methods and strategies, considering the needs of the learners. Incorporate a variety of pedagogical techniques to cater to diverse learning styles.
• Technology Integration: Utilize instructional technology to enhance the learning experience.
• Compliance and Accessibility: Ensure that instructional materials are compliant with relevant laws and accessibility standards and are accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities.
• Facilitation Development: Prepare and support professional learning facilitators in implementing instructional programs. Provide guidance and resources to ensure effective instruction.
• Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate with subject matter experts, instructional designers, artists, writers/editors, and professional learning facilitators to ensure that instructional design aligns with project goals and requirements. Communicate progress and results effectively.

  Communications

• Internal Communication: Engage in established internal communication strategies to stay informed about organizational updates, policies, and relevant news. The professional will actively use the organization’s various channels, such as email, Microsoft Teams, and team meetings, to keep staff informed.
  
• External Communication: Manage external communications, including interactions with students, families, educators, school leaders, and partners. Create and maintain a positive working relationship and ensure all external messages align with the organization's mission and values.
• Content Creation: Develop and distribute content, including written materials, graphics, presentations, and multimedia, to convey key messages and information. Ensure content is clear, consistent, and engaging.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including students, families, educators, school leaders, and partners. Keep them informed and engaged in the sponsored project's activities and initiatives.
• Communication Strategy Development: Collaborate with the management team to develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies that support the sponsored project's objectives and goals.

  Evaluation and Reporting

• Data Collection: Collect data from field services and participant feedback.
  
• Reporting Systems: Utilize the sponsored project's reporting systems to document and communicate evaluation findings to stakeholders.
• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of services, partner interactions, and evaluation processes and methodologies.
• Performance Metrics: Implement key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned to the team's sponsored research goals.

  Project Management

• Task Execution: Engage in executing assigned project tasks, ensuring that they are completed in accordance with the project plan and within the specified time.
  
• Communication and Reporting: Engage in established communication channels to inform stakeholders about the progress of assigned tasks. Fully participate in regular updates, reports, and status meetings.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Foster positive relationships with project stakeholders, including community members, partners, and team members. Address their needs and concerns while keeping them informed about project developments.

Required Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, or closely related field.

• 24 months experience developing education products or related experience. 

Skills

• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a timely manner.
• Ability to work with diverse groups in planning, developing, and evaluating products.
• Active listening skills.
• Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive).
• Knowledge of trends and developments in process innovation and project management.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive).
• Microsoft Teams.
• Project management practices.
• Scheduling & coordination.
• Skilled in facilitated grant-funded learning activities.
• Teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Zoom.

Working Conditions

• Classrooms or professional learning venues.
• Communicate effectively and listen.
• Manual dexterity.
• Present in front of large groups of stakeholders.
• Sit for prolonged periods.
• Standard office environment.
• Use of a computer.
• The incumbent will provide services to 28 cohort schools spread throughout Oklahoma and will be expected to travel to each site 3 to 4 times per year with occasional overnight stays.

Departmental Preference: 

• A master’s degree in education or a related field is preferred.
• 60 months of K12 education experience, which includes secondary classroom experience and 36 months as a building leader, team leader, department chair, or curriculum coordinator.

Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy.  To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma fosters an inclusive culture of respect and civility, belonging, and access, which are essential to our collective pursuit of excellence and our determination to change lives. The unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community enrich the learning, and working environment at OU, inspiring us to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, and health care services that the University operates or provides.