Policy Initiatives Advisor-Executive

Introduction ---------------- The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is the state agency that advances public education and libraries in Wisconsin. Our mission is to advance equitable, transformative, and sustainable educational experiences that develop learners, schools, libraries, and communities in Wisconsin. Working at DPI offers you the opportunity to build on our long\-standing commitment to public education so that students are learning the skills and knowledge necessary to become contributing members of our communities. At DPI, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. Equity and inclusion are at the core of our organizational values, which include belonging, integrity, love, humility, and honor. These values guide how we build our teams, develop our leaders, and create a culture that empowers everyone to be their authentic selves. When employees are respected and valued for who they are and staff are held accountable for demonstrating that respect to others, we believe it drives greater engagement and collaboration, ignites creativity and innovation, and fosters connection between teams and those we serve. Our employees enjoy an exceptional employee assistance program that offers a variety of programs and tools to help promote wellness. We have a team\-oriented atmosphere, focus on work\-life balance, and offer flexible work schedules for most positions. This YouTube video shares the benefits of working at DPI. The Department of Public Instruction is seeking applicants for a Policy Initiatives Advisor\-Executive position that supports the Division of Academics. This position develops and guides policy (i.e., creating policy, providing policy analysis, research, project management and strategic implementation, etc.) around major state and federal education policy and initiatives specific to the Division of Academics. Position Summary -------------------- The Policy Initiative Advisor\-Executive (PIA\-Exec.) serves as the principal executive policy advisor to the Assistant State Superintendent of the Division of Academics (DA). This position develops and guides policy (i.e., creating policy, providing policy analysis, research, project management and strategic implementation, etc.) around major state and federal education policy and initiatives specific to the Division of Academics (i.e., Title I\-A, Title I\-C, Title I\-D, Title II\-A, Title II\-B, Title III\-A, Title IV\-A, Title IV\-B, IDEA, HeadStart and early learning programs, academic content standards, assessment, bilingual\-bicultural programs, Wisconsin 2023 Act 20, etc.). In addition, this position also leads division initiatives aimed at ensuring the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is meeting its internal goals. The responsibilities of this position involve cross\-division and cross\-systems collaboration at the senior management level, including coordination with other state agencies and other external stakeholders including universities, tech colleges, local governments, LEAs, and non\-profits. This includes the successful development, implementation and coordination of policy and initiatives pertaining to the Division of Academics. This also includes recruitment and retention planning and delivering on building a strong workforce of high\-quality educators for all students. This position will lead in providing opportunities for statewide agencies to convene (e.g., task forces) and provide necessary feedback from all stakeholders for the success of all students, educators, and families we serve. The policy initiatives created and administered will have significant, long\-lasting impact on education throughout Wisconsin. Additionally, this position works collaboratively with the other DPI PIA\-Execs. in leading Department initiatives aimed at ensuring DPI is meeting its internal goals. This position requires cross\-division and cross\-systems collaboration at the senior management level, including coordination with key policy makers at other state agencies and other external stakeholders, such as PK\-12 schools, educators, policymakers, and their collective constituents. This position has responsibility for developing and implementing complex education policy that impacts programs and operations throughout the agency, state and nationally. This position deals with publicly sensitive and controversial issues. The Policy Initiatives Advisor\-Exec., as an expert project manager, directs agency policy makers and subject matter experts through the stages of development, enactment/adoption, and/or statewide implementation. This position develops the setting of strategic direction for their program initiatives and provides alternatives/options focused on managing and mobilizing resources and opportunities to successfully adopt and implement these core initiatives to promote the academic success of students, educators, and schools statewide. For more information, please review the complete position description. Salary Information ---------------------- Depending on qualifications, the salary will be between $51\.18\-$54\.87 per hour (approximately $106,454 \- $114,129 per year). For current and eligible former State employees, compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan effective at time of hire. This position is in pay schedule 81, range 01\. A two\-year career executive probationary period will be required. Check out the excellent benefits this position offers on the Employee Trust Fund’s information page. The State of Wisconsin is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Job Details --------------- Remote Work: This position allows for up to 90% remote work within the State of Wisconsin, with the expectation that the employee maintains secure, high\-speed internet access. Remote work from neighboring states may be approved only in very rare and limited circumstances. Please note that remote work arrangements may be rescinded at any time based on business needs, and employees may occasionally be required to report to a Wisconsin work location on short notice. In person meetings occur approximately once every two weeks. Travel: This position requires in\-state travel approximately twice per month. Out of state travel will occur approximately 2\-3 times/year. Headquarters: The position is headquartered at 201 W. Washington Ave. in Madison, WI, and employees are required to report there on their first day of employment. In addition, the employee may need to report to their headquarter location as operational needs require. Reimbursement for traveling to or from the employee’s headquarters is not provided (e.g., mileage, meals, parking, lodging, etc.). Pre\-hire requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of hire. A tuberculosis screen will be required prior to start. Legal authorization: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., without DPI sponsorship). The Department of Public Instruction does not sponsor visas, either at time of hire or at any later time. Qualifications ------------------ Please address the following in your resume and/or letter of qualifications. A minimally qualified applicant must have all the below: Experience leading cross agency or cross organization projects involving multiple departments from planning through implementation using project management skills. Experience analyzing K\-12 education policy, planning K\-12 education policy, or developing K\-12 education policy. Experience with a state or federal legislative process (e.g., monitoring legislation, analyzing legislative impacts, organizing agency efforts related to legislation, researching political topics, conducting listening sessions with partners, etc.). Please note that a college degree is not required for this position. Well\-qualified applicants will also have: Experience with a K\-12 education state or federal legislative process. * Experience utilizing multiple strategic planning principles/methods (e.g., stakeholder engagement/identification, goal development, progress monitoring) to advance one or more policy/legislative initiatives or system changes. How To Apply ---------------- For this position, please submit an updated resume and letter of qualifications. Review our Application Tips page on the DPI website for additional guidance. Applicants in the Wisconsin classified state service who have Career Executive status in the same or counterpart pay range who are eligible as a transfer should apply by emailing a resume addressing the qualifications outlined above to the HR recruiter listed below. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the process. References will be requested from top candidates once interviews have taken place. The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service\-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non\-Competitive Appointment program. Once you have applied, please send an email indicating your interest in being considered for the Veterans Non\-Competitive Appointment program to the HR staff listed in the job posting. The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Questions? Please contact the recruiter at: Maria Butters DPI Human Resources Specialist\-Senior Email: Maria.Butters@dpi.wi.gov Deadline to Apply --------------------- The deadline for this announcement is 11:59 p.m. CST on Tuesday, June 9, 2026\.