Senior Policy Advisor, Special Populations and Student Supports; Director VI

Senior Policy Advisor, Special Populations and Student Supports (Director VI)

The Senior Policy Advisor, Special Populations and Student Supports, serves as a strategic integral member of the Deputy Commissioner's Executive Cabinet in the Office of Special Populations and Student Supports, providing high-level policy leadership, analysis, and coordination on issues affecting students with disabilities and other at-risk student populations. This position is responsible for leading complex policy development and implementation related to public education law, statute, regulations, agency rules, and legislative matters, with a particular emphasis on special education and student populations such as students in foster care, students experiencing homelessness, military-connected students, emergent bilingual students, and other student groups with diverse learning needs.

This role requires a seasoned policy professional with deep knowledge of public education systems and legal frameworks, exceptional writing and analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively in a high-profile executive environment. The Senior Policy Advisor must be able to navigate complex and sensitive issues, anticipate policy implications, build cross-functional alignment, and serve as a trusted advisor to agency leadership.

The position also requires extensive collaboration with internal agency divisions and external stakeholders, including legislative staff, advocates, families, school systems, and other partners.

Essential functions include:

• Lead high-level policy development and analysis
• Draft and review policy, legislative, and executive-level written products, analyses, and estimates
• Coordinate cross-agency and cross-functional policy work
• Build and manage strategic external relationships
• Advise executive leadership, support strategic decision-making, and team supervision and management

Minimum qualifications include graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and at least eight years of experience in public education policy. Other qualifications include extensive knowledge of education policy, legislative affairs, governmental relations, legal/regulatory analysis, or a closely related area; demonstrated expertise in policy issues related to students with disabilities and/or other special populations; exceptional writing, editing, and analytical skills;

and strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.