Salary : $99,964.80 - $142,355.20 Annually
Location : Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-00247
Agency: 282 Iowa Department of Education
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/9/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
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 with the Iowa Department of Education. 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 Manager to ensure all students with disabilities experience a world-class education that meets their needs, inspires them, and prepares them for bright futures. The Bureau Chief will provide leadership and engagement to improve educational results and functional outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families (IDEA, Part C known as Early Access) and children with disabilities (IDEA, Part B including 619.)
Your Responsibilities:

• Lead the Bureau of Special Education Accountability and Accreditation, Finance, and Data Analysis to oversee the administration of federal and state requirements and programs related to accountability and accreditation, finance, and data analysis in coordination with the Regional Special Education Directors. Advise the Deputy Director and Division Director of Accountability and Student Supports.
• Oversee the implementation of IDEA-differentiated accountability (e.g. results-based accountability) including focused monitoring based on quality indicators including ongoing data and on-site observation monitoring, designations, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the implementation of the IDEA Part B and C ACHIEVE system to support IEP and IFSP development consistent with evidence-based best practices, federal and state data reporting, and the launch and implementation of the ACHIEVE Parent Portal.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of AEA accreditation processes outlined in Iowa Code section 273.10 inclusive of the 18 standards in Iowa Code 273.11, as amended by House File 2612, in coordination with the Bureau of School Improvement.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of private special education providers accreditation processes.
• Direct the appropriate distribution and allowable use of special education funds and compliant and timely financial reporting of the Department, AEAs, school districts, and Education Service Providers in coordination with the Bureau of School Business Operations.
• Direct compliant and timely data collection, management, and actionable analysis of student outcome data and all other relevant implementation data of the Department, AEAs, school districts, and Education Service Providers in coordination with the Bureau of Information Analysis and Services. Develop procedures to review and revise forms, automate the collection and dissemination of data.
• Supervise, support, and evaluate administrative consultants and education program consultants focused on IDEA-differentiated accountability, ACHIEVE, AEA accreditation, AEA and school district monitoring, special education finance, child count, and data management and analysis.
• Develop and leverage strong relationships with all education leaders, including AEAs, school districts, Education Service Providers, professional associations, other relevant agencies, and the entire Department to integrate and facilitate major state initiatives and policies.
• Develop and leverage strong relationships with all education leaders, including AEAs, school districts, Education Service Providers, professional associations, other relevant agencies, and the entire Department to integrate and facilitate major state initiatives and policies.

If you wish to review a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire, please contact [email protected].
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, occasional nights and weekends, in-state travel and occasional 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
• Ability to work collaboratively on, and provide leadership for, high-performing teams
• Ability to work independently, moving projects forward with minimal supervision
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to interpret and break down highly technical and regulatory language, and present information in an understandable manner
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Opportunities to make a transformational impact in the lives of children, families, teachers, and Iowa communities
• Collaborative, positive work environment
• Dedicated, talented colleagues that will learn and grow with you
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from across 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 six years of full-time management-level work in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation.

2) Ten 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. Six 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. Four 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 eighteen months of full-time work as a Public Service Manager 1 or comparable specific management-level position.