Job Description

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Department of Education (DOE):

The Indiana Department of Education provides innovative support to Indiana schools, teachers, students, and parents. We proactively work with educators, policymakers, business leaders, and community-based organizations to build student success. Our strategic priorities include:

• Delivering quality, purposeful educational opportunities for each student
• Elevating and supporting Indiana’s educators
• Increasing partnerships and delivering aligned, effective, and efficient support

Role Overview : 

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and forward-thinking Director of Special Projects to lead high-priority initiatives that promote innovation and improve student outcomes across the state. This role requires a creative problem solver with strong research orientation and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving policy and educational landscape.

The Director will initially focus on advancing competency-based education (CBE) , supporting ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) flexibility efforts , and enhancing data reporting systems related to school accountability . The ideal candidate will bring a strong sense of ingenuity, adaptability, and collaborative leadership to support the department’s goals and drive continuous improvement in Indiana's K–12 education system.

• Lead and manage cross-functional special projects from design through implementation, with a focus on innovation, scalability, and impact.
• Research, analyze, and synthesize national and state-level best practices related to education policy, instructional models, and accountability systems.
• Drive the development and expansion of competency-based education models that personalize learning and emphasize mastery of standards.
• Collaborate on Indiana’s ESEA flexibility initiatives, ensuring alignment with federal requirements and state priorities.
• Enhance accountability and reporting frameworks , including performance dashboards and transparency tools, to support school improvement and stakeholder engagement.
• Serve as a thought partner to senior leadership, contributing to strategic planning, policy development, and continuous improvement efforts.

Salary Statement : 

The salary for this position will be commensurate with education or work experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Review and evaluate organizational effectiveness, goal determination, and strategic planning, etc., makes recommendations for improvement.
• Develop and coordinate plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision and expectations of agency or program.
• Provide guidance to agencies and the public regarding applicable laws and rules.
• Supervise subordinate personnel including hiring, determining workload, and delegating assignments, training, monitoring, and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary action.
• Monitor agency or program budget including revenues, expenditures, and budget projections.
• Communicate with news and other media. responds to media questions or requests in an appropriate public relations manner.
• Coordinate with other government officials on planning issues (i.e. federal and/or state agency directors, etc.).
• Coordinate, review and evaluate the use of appropriate controls and standards for the agency.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:

• Extensive knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices.
• Extensive knowledge of State programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation.
• Ability to develop and/or measure program outcomes.
• Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships with key public and private government and business leaders.
• Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.
• Ability to work with internal and external customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, establish credibility, and influence leaders at all levels.
• Make sound, well-informed, and objective decisions. Perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
• Ability to identify problems. determine accuracy and relevance of information, and to use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes: 

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

   

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov .

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