Introduction

The State of Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor-Education (Undersecretary for Education) to advise the OPM Secretary and help shape and implement the Administration's education priorities.

The position will focus principally on prekindergarten through grade 12 policy, finance, governance, accountability, and program implementation. Knowledge of higher education policy-and experience connecting K-12, postsecondary education, workforce development, and the state's economic goals-is strongly preferred.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

This is a full time (40 hours per week) position conveniently located in Hartford, CT, easily accessible to all major highways.

• LOCATION: Office of Policy and Management
• ADDRESS: 450 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
• WORK HOURS: Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
• SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday

THE ROLE

The Senior Policy Advisor-Education (Undersecretary for Education) will serve as OPM's principal senior advisor on statewide education policy. Working across OPM divisions and in partnership with the State Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood, Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, constituent units of higher education, municipalities, school districts, and the Governor's Office, the advisor will develop policy options, analyze fiscal and operational impacts, coordinate priority initiatives, and provide clear recommendations to senior leadership.

The successful candidate will combine deep subject-matter knowledge with disciplined policy analysis, strong judgment, and the ability to move complex initiatives from concept through implementation.

This is an unclassified position that serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

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BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing [email protected].
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

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• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
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• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

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PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

This class serves as an Undersecretary in the Office of Policy and Management with responsibility for the development and analysis of statewide policy or the direction and supervision of a division.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Serve as senior advisor to the OPM Secretary on statewide K-12 education policy, finance, governance, student outcomes, accountability, educator workforce, school facilities, and related matters.
• Identify emerging state and federal education issues; assess their fiscal, legal, operational, and equity implications; and recommend options for executive action, budget development, or legislation.
• Develop and evaluate policy proposals in coordination with OPM's Budget and Financial Management divisions, the Governor's Office, education agencies, municipalities, school districts, and other partners.
• Analyze education funding formulas, agency and grant expenditures, program performance, enrollment and demographic trends, and relevant administrative data to inform recommendations and resource allocation.
• Lead or support the development of implementation plans for approved education initiatives, including objectives, timelines, agency responsibilities, performance measures, risks, and decision points.
• Convene and facilitate interagency and cross-sector working groups; build alignment among agencies and stakeholders; resolve policy and implementation issues; and elevate decisions requiring executive direction.
• Monitor federal legislation, regulations, funding, and administrative actions affecting Connecticut education programs and coordinate an appropriate state response.
• Promote alignment across K-12 education, early childhood, higher education, workforce development, and economic-development policy, including pathways such as dual credit, career and technical education, educator preparation, and postsecondary affordability.
• Prepare concise decision memoranda, policy papers, budget analyses, presentations, talking points, testimony support, and briefings for the Secretary, Governor's Office, and other senior officials.
• Represent the OPM Secretary on boards, commissions, task forces, and in meetings with state agencies, municipal officials, education leaders, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders, as assigned.
• Coordinate priorities and project plans; track implementation and results; recommend corrective action when initiatives are off track.
• Perform related duties as required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience developing, analyzing, or implementing statewide or large-system K-12 education policy.
• Knowledge of education finance, school funding, district and state governance, accountability systems, special education, educator workforce issues, and federal education programs.
• Experience assessing budget, legislative, regulatory, and programmatic impacts and translating analysis into recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• Experience leading complex initiatives involving multiple agencies, levels of government, school districts, higher education institutions, or other stakeholders.
• nd fiscal impacts.
• Higher education policy experience or knowledge, particularly in areas connecting K-12 education with postsecondary access, affordability, completion, teacher preparation, or workforce pathways.
• Experience preparing executive-level policy memoranda, presentations, budget materials, or legislative analyses under tight deadlines.
• Experience facilitating, negotiating and presenting to the public.
• An advanced degree in education policy, public policy, public administration, economics, law, or a closely related field.

Conclusion