Director-Strategic Initiatives; Program Specialist IV

Position: Director-Strategic Initiatives (Program Specialist IV)
The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Education - Agency 13

Location:

Lincoln, NEHiring Rate:$41.081

Job Posting:

JR Director-Strategic Initiatives (Program Specialist IV) (Open)
Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):10-06-2026

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.Pay Grade 11: $85,448.66/year

This rate is based upon available budget funds; any offer will be made at this rate.

Teammates Enjoy 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 (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).#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 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…