About this opportunity
Ohio Jobs lists this Human Services Developer (Literacy) opportunity in columbus, Ohio. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Early Language And Literacy Development Expert
Our mission is to promote positive, lifelong outcomes for Ohio youth through early intervention, quality education, and family support programs. At DCY, we offer our employees a rewarding work experience in public service helping Ohioans achieve a sustainable lifestyle that includes generous benefit options and a flexible work life balance making our agency a great place to work!
In this role, you will serve as DCY's subject matter expert in early language and literacy development, shaping statewide professional learning that strengthens early childhood outcomes. You will work under general administrative direction to design, support, and improve literacy-focused training and resources for professionals across Ohio's child- and family-serving systems.
Much of your work involves applying research, evidence-based practices, and adult learning principles to create high-quality learning experiences that directly support the development and well-being of children from birth through early elementary years. You will collaborate with colleagues across DCY, partner agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure alignment on statewide literacy initiatives. You will also monitor emerging literacy research and translate it into accessible tools, training, and guidance that support Ohio's workforce working with families and young children.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys combining expertise in literacy, curriculum and instructional design, and adult learning with cross-agency collaboration, problem solving, and system-level impact.
What The Work Typically Looks Like
Research, Design & Development of Literacy Focused Professional Learning
You will spend much of your time developing, updating, and supporting high-quality professional learning tied to early language and literacy. This includes:
Serving as DCY's expert on literacy and language development.
Applying research, adult learning theory, and best practices to shape training content and statewide initiatives.
Designing new courses, revising existing offerings, and working with vendors to ensure content accuracy and alignment.
Creating guidance documents, tools, and resources to support consistent, high-quality instructional design across DCY.
Evaluating training materials developed by internal teams, vendors, and partner agencies to ensure they reflect DCY policy, procedures, and evidence-based practice.
Stakeholder Collaboration & Cross-Agency Alignment
Your role includes extensive coordination with internal and external partners to support shared literacy goals. You will:
Collaborate with Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) to ensure DCY's literacy-related work aligns with statewide policy and practice.
Engage with community agencies, professional networks, and other child-serving systems on initiatives connected to early literacy and kindergarten readiness.
Provide training and presentations to internal staff, external stakeholders, and regional partners.
Offer technical assistance to staff who design or deliver professional learning.
Program Implementation, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
You will help bring initiatives from concept to practice by:
Managing current professional development courses and overseeing updates to ensure alignment with the science of reading and early learning research.
Using data and feedback to assess the effectiveness of learning programs and recommend improvements.
Compiling reports summarizing outcomes, trends, or implementation progress.
Supporting statewide professional development events, conferences, and cross-functional working groups.
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role
Strong knowledge of literacy development, the Science of Reading, early learning, curriculum design, adult learning theory, and evidence-based practices. Skill in instructional design, project management, data analysis, and learning technologies. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences. Ability to collaborate across systems, build relationships, and support professionals from varied backgrounds. Comfort translating research into accessible, practical tools and training. Curiosity, critical thinking, and commitment to continuous improvement.
Ideal candidate holds a degree related to early language and literacy development and/or is certified through a specialized literacy training program such as LETRs, Orton-Gillingham, or a program accredited through the International Dyslexia Association.
Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website!
Our benefits package includes:
Medical Coverage
Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Qualifications
Completion of undergraduate core program in social or behavioral science, health services public administration, public policy management or comparable field 36 mos. exp. in researching, developing or implementing policies related to social services, health services, public policy or comparable field 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in research methodology, measurement & testing, analysis of variance & survey sampling 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in use of computer hardware & software used for spreadsheets, statistical analysis, graphics presentation & word processing.
-Or completion of graduate course coursework in social or behavioral science, health services public administration, public policy management or comparable field 24 mos. exp. in researching, developing or implementing policies related to social services, health services, public policy or comparable field 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in use of computer hardware & software used for spreadsheets, statistical analysis, graphics presentation & word processing.
-Or 24 mos. exp. as Human Services Specialist 2, 69452, with experience commensurate with duties to be assigned per posting of job opportunity (e.g., if assignment is in area of policy development for aid to dependent children, education, training &/or experience must have been in area of aid to dependent children).
-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
Worksite address
columbus, OH, 43224, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.