Director-Strategic Initiatives (Program Specialist IV)

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

Director-Strategic Initiatives (Program Specialist IV) (Open)

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate

$41.081

Pay Grade

$85,448.66/year

Job Description

This position will advance the Nebraska Department of Education’s educational policy agenda through monitoring emerging educational issues and engaging in legislative and policy processes. The hiring team is looking for strategic visionary leaders who excel in stakeholder engagement, communication, and collaboration, with experience with legislative and educational policy.

The Nebraska Department of Education does not sponsor or transfer non-immigrant work visas for these positions.

Office Location

This position is assigned to our office located at 84th & O St, Lincoln, NE.

Essential Functions

• Monitors emerging educational issues, identifies areas of need, and coordinates collaboration, planning, and implementation to develop effective solutions and advance agency priorities.
• Assists with tracking bills and committee activity, engages in legislative strategy, bill language, amendments, and testimony.
• Engages strategic partnerships and stakeholders among research institutions, philanthropic communities, and government to support the Nebraska Department of Education’s (NDE’s) policy and agenda.
• Collaborates to design legislative policy proposals aligned with agency priorities, supports agency policy, advocacy, engagement portfolio, and acceleration of educational 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, including seeking additional funding streams to support progress.
• Provides leadership in the hiring, supervision, and potential discipline of staff. Conducts performance management activities including establishing annual goals related to the strategic plan, holding check-in meetings to discuss goal progress, and completing performance appraisals. Facilitates a continuous learning environment by promoting professional development to ensure all employees have the opportunity and skills to be efficient and effective in meeting the goals of the agency. Delegates work and projects appropriately among staff.
• Maintains regular & reliable attendance, possesses a valid driver’s license and travels independently, and works in a variety of settings.

Working Conditions And Travel

This position requires approximately 75% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 25% is spent traveling or working in alternative sites such as schools, other educational entities, stakeholder and partner offices, and legislative environments. There is also approximately ten days of overnight travel per year.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a related field and five years of experience related to the essential functions of the position. Any equivalent education and/or work experience may be substituted in order to meet the minimum qualifications of the position.

Preferred Qualifications: The completion of a doctorate or equivalent academic endeavor such as a Six-Year Specialist Certificate. Experience in educational leadership and working with government or the legislature.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status.

• Competitive benefits, paid time off, and retirement
• 79% employer-paid health insurance, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts, employee discount program, and more!
• Generous vacation and sick leave earnings each year (starting at 12 days each!), plus a variety of other leave types
• 156% state-matched retirement (yes, that’s $1.56 for every dollar!) with a guaranteed 5% return
• Thirteen paid holidays per year

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.