Director-Strategic Initiatives (Program Specialist IV)

In addition to being part of meaningful work and making a difference through public service, our Total Compensation package includes well over $20,000 in additional Benefits value! See full benefits information at https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

• 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

• 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.

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.