Director, Strategic Initiatives & Education Policy

State of Nebraska; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Health insurance

Paid time off

State retirement plan

13 holidays

Job summary

State of Nebraska is seeking a Director-Strategic Initiatives (Program Specialist IV) in Lincoln, NE to advance the department’s educational policy agenda. The role focuses on stakeholder engagement, legislative processes, and policy collaboration to drive strategic priorities at the state level.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree with five years' related experience, and a doctorate or Six-Year Specialist Certificate is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; five years of related experience.
• Doctorate or Six-Year Specialist Certificate preferred.
• Experience in educational leadership and with government or the legislature is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitors emerging educational issues, coordinates collaboration, planning, and implementation to advance agency priorities.
• Assists with tracking bills and committee activity; engages in legislative strategy, bill language, amendments, and testimony.
• Engages strategic partnerships among research institutions, philanthropic communities, and government to support NDE’s policy agenda.
• Designs legislative policy proposals aligned with agency priorities and supports policy, advocacy, engagement, and acceleration of education policy change at the state level.
• Researches, writes, and presents analyses, reports, white papers, policy proposals, fiscal notes, and supporting materials.
• Monitors strategic planning and implementation, seeking additional funding streams to support progress.
• Leads hiring, supervision, and staff development; conducts performance appraisals and promotes professional development.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Collaboration

Legislative policy

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Five years experience

Doctorate or Six-Year Specialist Certificate

Job description

State of Nebraska is seeking a Director-Strategic Initiatives (Program Specialist IV) in Lincoln, NE to advance the department’s educational policy agenda. The role focuses on stakeholder engagement, legislative processes, and policy collaboration to drive strategic priorities at the state level.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree with five years' related experience, and a doctorate or Six-Year Specialist Certificate is preferred.