Executive Secretary E10 - Office of Public and Governmental Affairs

Job Description

As a State of Michigan employee, you will receive a competitive wage and benefit package that values your experience and skills. You will join a team of more than 400 professionals at the department and almost 50,000 in state government who are committed to excellence in public service.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) provides leadership, resources, support, and guidance to approximately 200,000 school district staff serving approximately 1.5 million students in public and non‑public schools and 39,000 students in special education transition services. In addition, MDE provides administrative support and supervision for the Michigan School for the Deaf and the Library of Michigan. MDE is responsible for state education leadership in a local control state and works to implement state and federal education laws, disburse state and federal resources, license educators, develop state summative assessments and accountability systems, create state academic standards, and coordinate school health and nutrition programs.

In addition, in developing and promoting the state’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, MDE works with partner education entities and stakeholders to improve public education for children across the state. MDE’s role in the improvement of public education extends to providing information and feedback to public policy‑makers, convening educators on public policy issues, recommending draft language on legislation, and developing guidance to districts on statutory changes adopted at the state and federal levels.

The Office of Public and Governmental Affairs (OPGA) is the official source of news, information, and outreach involving the Michigan Department of Education and State Board of Education programs, policies, and initiatives, as well as the liaison between the department and state and federal legislators.

• Media relations with local, state, and national television, radio, print, and online media on newsworthy department programs, policies, initiatives, and actions
• Government relations – helps provide technical assistance and guidance to members of the state and federal legislatures regarding education policies and systems in Michigan
• Strategic planning on department initiatives and message development
• Internal communications tools and strategies to share department and state government information to management and staff, including all‑staff meetings, employee newsletters, and the department’s Intranet online information resource
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and responses

Primary Physical Work Address – Position is located at the John Hannah Building, 608 West Allegan Street, Lansing, Michigan. A hybrid flexible schedule of in‑person and remote work arrangement is available.

This position provides executive administrative support to the Office of Public and Governmental Affairs (OPGA) within the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). The position handles a full range of day‑to‑day operations of OPGA with the ability to anticipate additional needs in given situations. The position coordinates office management activities and works cooperatively with OPGA, the superintendent’s office, and department staff. The position provides experienced secretarial support for various functions of the office as directed by the director and oversees assignments and follow‑up on requests from the superintendent, State Board of Education, legislature, media, and others as required.

The position also oversees and performs other functions necessary for the day‑to‑day operations of the office and performs other duties as assigned.

Please review the job specification and the position description for the full list of responsibilities, required education and experience, and knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities…