Program Manager 4

Salary : $99,964.80 - $142,355.20 Annually
Location : Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-01275
Agency: 282 Iowa Department of Education
Opening Date: 11/02/2026
Closing Date: 11/12/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
Point of Contact:
To Apply: To ensure full consideration for this position, all requested materials must be completed and uploaded through the NEOGOV online application process

Job Description
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:

Candidates are encouraged to include detailed information about their relevant experience in their application, or submit a cover letter and resume in addition to their application.
If you wish to review a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire, please contact idoe.hr@iowa.gov.

To ensure full consideration for this position, all requested materials must be completed and uploaded through the NEOGOV online application process.

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. 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 inprogram administration, program development, program operations, or management.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

For additional information, please click on this .
01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03

Have you graduated from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree? IF YES, how many years do you have of full-time professional-level work in program administration, program development, program operations, or management?

• Not applicable, I do not have a four-year degree.
• I have one year to less than three years of experience.
• I have three years to less than five years of experience.
• I have five years to less than six years of experience.
• I have six or more years of experience.

04

How many years do you have of combined accredited college or university course work and/or full-time professional-level work in program administration, program development, program operations, or management.? One year of qualifying experience is equivalent to 30 semester hours (one year) of undergraduate education.

• Not applicable, I do not have any of the required education and/or experience
• I have one year to less than four years of education and/or experience.
• I have four years to less than seven years of education and/or experience.
• I have seven years to less than ten years of education and/or experience.
• I have ten or more years of education and/or experience.

05

Do you meet 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.

• Yes - I meet A, B and C
• I do not meet A, B and C

06

If you are a CURRENT employee for the State of Iowa (executive branch) Do you have 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?

• Not applicable, I am not a State of Iowa employee
• I am a CURRENT employee for the State of Iowa (executive branch) but do not have 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
• I am a CURRENT employee for the State of Iowa (executive branch) and have current, con