Program Manager 4

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Employee discounts from a variety ofV

Job summary

Iowa Department of Education seeks a program and policy professional to lead and coordinate major school choice initiatives and legislative priorities. You will report to the Chief of Staff and help plan, implement, monitor, and improve statewide education programs, including Education Savings Accounts, public charter schools, and EFTC.

The role requires strong project management, analytical thinking, and the ability to collaborate with diverse teams while meeting deadlines in a dynamic policy

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent experience.
• Experience coordinating legislation, administrative rules, and legislative proposals.
• Strong project management, planning, and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead teams without direct supervisory authority.

Responsibilities

• Provide project management and coordination for school choice initiatives across the Department.
• Coordinate development and administration of Iowa's participation in the Education Freedom Tax Credit program.
• Support the Chief of Staff and legislative liaison with legislative activities and requests.
• Provide administrative support for additional Department priorities and initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Legislation coordination

Analytical mindset

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description

Iowa Department of Education’s mission is ensuring all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

This position provides leadership, project management, and coordination for major school choice initiatives and legislative priorities of the Iowa Department of Education. Reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, the position supports the planning, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of statewide education initiatives, including Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), public charter schools, accredited nonpublic school programs, and the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) program.

Your Responsibilities

• Provide project management and coordination for the Department's school choice initiatives, including Education Savings Accounts, public charter schools, accredited nonpublic school initiatives, and other programs assigned by the Chief of Staff.
• Coordinate the development, implementation, and ongoing administration of Iowa's participation in the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit.
• Support the Chief of Staff and the Department's legislative liaison with legislative activities, information gathering, and implementation of enacted legislation. This position will work collaboratively with the legislative liaison and Department staff to ensure timely responses to requests and effective coordination of legislative priorities and requirements.
• Provide project coordination and administrative support for additional Department priorities and special initiatives assigned by the Chief of Staff and Division Administrators.

A successful candidate will bring or have the ability and desire to learn:

• Passion for accomplishing common goals in pursuit of public service
• Strong technical skills
• Strategic and analytical mindset
• Knowledge and experience with coordinating the development of legislation, administrative rules, and legislative proposals
• Ability to work collaboratively on, and provide leadership for, high-performing teams
• Ability to work independently, moving projects forward with minimal supervision
• Ability to work in complex situations and meet deadlines while leading teams as a non-traditional leader (no supervisory authority)
• Experience providing technical assistance and professional learning to educators
• Ability to manage self in relation to prioritization and time management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to interpret and break down highly technical and regulatory language, and present information in an understandable manner
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
• Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders

Desirable Qualifications

• State government operations, administrative processes, and education policy.
• Iowa's PK–12 education system, including public schools, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools.
• School choice programs, including Education Savings Accounts and scholarship programs.
• Legislative processes, policy development, and implementation of enacted legislation.
• Project management principles, strategic planning, and organizational improvement.
• State and federal education laws, regulations, and administrative requirements.
• Governmental reporting, accountability, and compliance processes.

What's in it for you?

• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of children, their families, and Iowa communities
• Collaborative, positive work environment
• Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and benefits package:

https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/employment/Benefits_Beyond_the_Paycheck.pdf (Download PDF reader)

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to six years of full-time professional-level work in program administration, program development, program operations, or management.
• A total of ten years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
• All of the following (a, b, and c): (a) Four years of full-time professional-level work experience in program administration, program development, program operations, or management; and (b) A total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and (c) A total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, public health, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Program Manager 3 or two years of full-time work as a Program Manager 2 or comparable specific management-level position.