Director-Strategic Initiatives (Program Specialist IV)

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Education - Agency 13
Location:
Lincoln, NE
Hiring Rate:
$41.081
Job Posting:
JR2026-00029424 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 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

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.

If you have any questions about this posting or working at NDE, please email us at [email protected] .

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

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. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

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.