Job Description

Requisition No: 875685

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: PROGRAM SPECIALIST III - DOE - 48003480

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48003480

Salary: $45,060.00

Posting Closing Date: 05/26/2026

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Florida Department of Education

Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA)

Location: Tallahassee Turlington Building

Program Specialist III-DOE

Salary Range: $45,060.00

CANDIDATES ARE TYPICALLY HIRED AT THE MINIMUM SALARY
This advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies up to six months.

APPLICATION INFORMATION & HIRING REQUIREMENTS

Application Information:

• Your Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety.
• Work History (in easy to review chronological order) Consists of:

• Any position held by a State of Florida Agency
• Any position held by a Florida University
• All periods of employment from high school graduation
• All periods of current or prior unemployment
• Gaps 3 months or more must be accounted for*
• Any Education
• Any Volunteer Experience
• Your resume and application must match

• * Gaps 3 months or more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history. Your candidate profile will be converted to your official application.
• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for reference checks or the contact information for your Human Resources office to verify current or former employment.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.

Hiring Information and Requirements:

• The Bureau of Personnel Management reviews every application for prior State of Florida and Florida University work history in the People First system.

• If claiming Veteran’s Preference, the candidate MUST attach supporting documentation such as the DD214 and your VA Letter that reflects level of disability if applicable. Applicable to career service positions only.
• If claiming Right to First Interview, the candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions. Applicable to career service positions only.

If you are missing any of the items above, your packet may be held up at the final review step.

NOTE: Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

OFFICE CONTACT:

Kim Hale, 850-410-5180

This position performs duties under the limited supervision of the Educational Policy Analyst-SES in the State Scholarships, Loans & Grants Section within the Office of Student Financial Assistance, Division of Finance and Operations of theDepartment of Education. Position is responsible for coordinating the administration of state scholarships and grant programs. Duties include maintaining contact with institutions and students pertaining to complex issues on financial assistance awards. This position also recommends system enhancements to continually provide pertinent information on State Programs for management and constituent use.

The employee must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions. The employee must interact courteously with others. The performance and behavior of all employees must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit. Attendance is an essential function of this position.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Note: The omission of specific job duties does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.)

The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has an open position that is responsible for executing the following functions:

Specific Duties:

• Establish and maintain a computerized database to manage data on applicants for financial assistance programs funded by state and federal sources including scholarships, grants, tuition reimbursement, and loan forgiveness programs.
• Evaluate applicant data and information to determine eligibility, make awards, and ensure timely and accurate disbursement of funds to all eligible award recipients. Processes may also include the evaluation of academic transcripts. Direct and coordinate processing of documents pertaining to specific state administered financial aid programs including award letters, rejection letters, refunds, and verification forms to ensure the meeting of program requirements.
• Develop and maintain statistical and demographic reports on program applicants and recipients to provide a current snapshot of the program at any given period.
• Evaluate and recommend system improvements, such as revised forms, procedures, and type of information collected, for greater program efficiency.
• Provide technical assistance and communicate verbally and in writing on program requirements to applicants, parents, institutions, and other interested parties on complex financial aid issues including policy interpretation, appeal consideration, and judgments on eligible programs of study, interpretation of statutes, rules, regulations, and explanation of office procedures. This requires a full knowledge of state and federal program statutes, rules, and policies.
• Assist with the development of informational and technical documents and program applications. Assist with the development and response to surveys, collection, and analysis of student financial assistance data, and with the forecasting of participation and budgetary requirements.
• Evaluate program policies and operating procedures, and draft recommendations for improvements. Prepare, review, and evaluate program data and reports.
• Assist in the development of rules and legislation for student financial assistance programs. Analyze and recommend to supervisor changes that may be needed in program rules or statutory authority and draft proposed language or review proposals made by others.
• Monitor disbursements to ensure that awards do not exceed budget authority and assist supervisor in preparation of budget requests. Provide technical assistance to institutions on the delivery of funds, award revisions, applicant eligibility, and interpretation of statutes, rules and regulations.
• Assists with managing the Dual Enrollment Scholarship program (DES) and the Dual Enrollment Educator Scholarship Program (DEESP).
• Assists supervisor in management of the disbursement related functions for all programs in the Centralized Programs unit and acts as a resource person for the unit in the supervisor’s absence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, administering or evaluating educational programs.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective communication.
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection.
• Ability to be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal-Ability to work and perform under stressful conditions.
• Ability to demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit.
• Ability to work independently and perform tasks and responsibilities with limited guidance and direction.
• Ability to work as a team or individually on assignments.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate data.
• Ability to assess budgetary needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and communicate effectively.
• Ability to communicate highly technical information verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• One to three years of professional experience in business operations, financial accounting, program management.
• Ability to communicate effectively including verbal and written communication.
• Experience in creating and conducting training courses.
• Experience with public speaking.
• Ability to provide work samples of writing skills for grammar, editing and communication review upon request.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferences will be given to:

• Applicants who meet both the professional and educational experience.
• Applicants who complete application information and hire requirements listed in the advertisement accurately and to completion.

EDUCATIONAL SUBSITITUIONS:

SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or University in education and/or business/program management can substitute for 4 years of direct experience.
• A master’s degree from an accredited college or University in education and/or business/program management can substitute for 6 years of direct experience.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUATION MISSION STATEMENT:

Every day the Department of Education works hand in hand with parents, teachers, educators, and community members to improve Florida's education system for students of all backgrounds and abilities. Our site reflects this cooperative relationship and the role that so many Floridians play in ensuring student success.

The FDOE’s mission for Florida’s Early Learning-20 education system is to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient system, by allowing them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued by students, parents, and communities.

Serving approximately 3 million students, 4,400 public schools, 28 colleges, 200,000 instructional staff, 46,000 college professors and administrators, and 340,000 full-time staff throughout the state, FDOE enhances programs and services for Florida’s students from early learning through college and career development. In addition, FDOE manages programs that assist individuals who are blind, visually-impaired, or disabled succeed either in school settings or careers - encouraging independence and self-sufficiency.

FDOE’s goal is to hire individuals to provide:

1. Higher Student Achievement
2. Seamless Articulation and Maximum Access
3. Skilled Workforce and Economic Development
4. Quality Services

Florida Department of Education

https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org

WORKING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS BENEFITS!

* State Group Insurance coverage options+
( health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental option)

* Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (www.myfrs.com)

* Nine paid holidays and a Personal Holiday each year

* Annual and Sick Leave Benefits

* Student Loan Forgiveness Program ( Eligibility required)

* Flexible Spending Accounts

* Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida colleges/universities)

* Ongoing comprehensive training provided

* Career Growth

* Highly skilled, professional environment

*Maternity and Parental Leave Benefits

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

* We care about the success of our employees.

* We care about the success of our clients.

* We are always improving our technology, our tools, our customer’s experiences and ourselves.

* A rewarding experience for reliable, compassionate and professional employees.

LEAVE INFORMATION: (CS)

• • Annual Leave - All full-time Career Service employees filling established positions earn annual leave in varying increments dependent upon years of creditable service. Employees with up to 5 years of creditable service earn 8.667 hours per month, with 5 to 10 years earn 10.833 hours per month and those with over 10 years of service earn 13 hours per month. Employees in Senior Management Service and Selected Exempt Service positions are credited with 176 hours of annual leave upon appointment. In subsequent years, the annual allotment is credited on the anniversary date of the initial appointment.
  • Sick Leave -. Career Service employees earn 8.667 hours of sick leave credits per month

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. No applicant for a designated position will be employed, contracted or permitted to volunteer until the level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Department.Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, finger printing for all purposes and checks under this requirement, statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, federal criminal records check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local criminal records checks through local law enforcement.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM (SSS) AND REQUIREMENT

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.

For more information, please visit the Selective Service website

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.