Salary : $115,252.80 - $179,920.00 Annually
Location : Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-03189
Agency: 282 Iowa Department of Education
Opening Date: 05/22/2026
Closing Date: 7/23/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-DNP
Point of Contact:
To Apply: Applicants are encouraged to attach a resume and cover letter to their NeoGov application

Job Description
This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.
The Iowa Department of Education seeks a dedicated Public Service Executive to ensure all students with disabilities experience a world-class education that meets their needs, inspires them, and prepares them for bright futures.

Your Responsibilities:

• The Division Administrator position is a key member of the DOE leadership team and regularly participates in policy decisions at the highest management level of DOE. This position will administer, supervise and provide leadership within the Division of Special Education. Provide guidance, coordination and oversight for special education federal and state programs related to finance, data management, monitoring, evaluation and eligibility and service delivery.
• In cooperation with the Director and Deputy Director direct and evaluate special education service delivery programs including but not limited to finance, data management, evaluation and eligibility (i.e., child find), monitoring and special education delivery to districts and schools.
• Work with the Division of Special Education management staff to identify staffing needs for the division and oversee the hiring and evaluation of division staff. Directly supervise the selection, development, and coordination of division work.
• Work closely with the Director and Deputy Director to provide oversight of annual budget and expenditures for the division. Maintain a working knowledge of state and federal policy and the impact of proposed legislation on the bureaus, the institutions, and programs it oversees.
• Represent the Department of Education with various constituencies as requested by the Director and/or Deputy Director. Provide information and facilitate communication between the constituencies and the Department as it relates to special education (erg., State Board of Education, Superintendent's Advisory). Collaborate with other state agencies, postsecondary institutions, and professional organizations on initiatives and mutual concerns that will improve PK-12 education, specifically students with Individualized Education Plans.
• In conjunction with other department senior staff, provide direction and input to the operation of the agency. Assist with the development and implementation of the strategic plan and legislation priorities for the agency. Execute the implementation of Department and State Board policy and administrative rules.

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 .

To ensure full consideration for this position, all requested materials must be completed and uploaded through the 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

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:

• Experience utilizing Microsoft Suite.
• Experience working in computer programming.
• Experience providing technical assistance and professional learning to educators.
• Experience interpreting and implementing state or federal education law.

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:

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 and experience equal to seven years of full-time management-level work in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation.

2) Eleven years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation.

3) All of the following (a and b):

a. Seven years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and

b. A combination of 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. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

4) All of the following (a, b, and c):

a. Five years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and

b. A combination of 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 combination of 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, 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.

5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Public Service Manager 1, Public Service 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 four-year college or university? IF YES- How many years of experience do you have of full-time management-level work in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation?

• I have not graduated from an accredited four-year college or university
• Less than three years of experience in the identified areas
• Three years to less than seven years of experience in the identified areas
• Seven years or more of experience in the identified areas

04

How many years of experience do you have of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation?

• I do not have any experience in the identified areas
• Less than five years of experience in the identified areas
• Five years to less than 11 years of experience in the identified areas
• Eleven years or more of experience in the identified areas

05

Do you have seven years of full-time work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law,social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation? IF YES - How many years do you have of a combination of post high school education AND/OR ADDITIONAL experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation? 30 semester hours equals one year of experience. Applicants must not count the same experience that was used to qualify on the first portio