Job Description

***THIS POSTING INCLUDES FIVE OPEN SECRETARY LEVEL 9 POSITIONS FOR MDE, PLEASE REVIEW QUESTION #39 TO INDICATE WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING FOR.***

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.

Join a team of highly trained and educated individuals committed to supporting learners and learning in Michigan. Serving students, parents, families, educators, and communities within a culture that promotes excellence and respects diversity, our work is meaningful and impactful.

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.

Office of Special Education - The state education agency’s purpose, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), is to ensure the civil rights of children with disabilities for a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) are maintained. The Office of Special Education (OSE) is responsible for the general supervision, administration, and funding of special education programs and services for children, students, and young adults with disabilities, ages birth-26. The OSE is committed to ensuring compliance with the IDEA and Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) while improving outcomes for all students with disabilities. The OSE believes students with disabilities are to receive an effective education in their LRE, interact with their typical peers, and access the general education curriculum, which leads to meaningful outcomes where adults with disabilities have the opportunity to live independently, exert control and choice over their own lives, and fully participate in and contribute to their communities. This office has three (3) positions.

Program Accountability: As the secretary/management assistant to the Supervisor of the Program Accountability Unit and staff, this advanced level secretarial position serves as a liaison between management and unit staff, coordinates the support work of the unit, and supports office activities of on-going operations in the Office of Special Education. This position is responsible for maintaining the standards and processing of records related to Freedom of Information Act requests and public hearings.

Program Finance: Function as the secretary/management assistant to the Supervisor of the Program Finance Unit and staff, this advanced level secretarial position serves as a liaison between management and unit staff, coordinates the support work of the unit, and supports office activities of on-going operations in the Office of Special Education.

Michigan School for the Deaf: This position functions as a management assistant providing advanced secretarial support to the Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD) principal. The MSD provides residential and educational programs and services for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. This confidential Secretary provides direct support, performing a range of advanced level activities and management assistant duties, for the school principal, and serves as liaison to staff.

The Office of Nutrition Services (ONS) is the state administering agency for federal food programs such as National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and commodity programs such as USDA Foods for Schools, The Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. This office has one (1) position.

Fiscal and Administrative Services: This position is the state management assistant to the Fiscal Supervisor and Financial Manager of the Fiscal and Administrative Services unit of the Office of Health and Nutrition Services (OHNS). This position will assist in coordinating office activities in support of on-going operations of the Fiscal and Administrative Services unit of the Office of Health and Nutrition Services (OHNS).

The Office of Financial Management facilitates the development of the annual agency budget and provides oversight of Department budgets. The office is responsible for all accounting and purchasing activities for the Department. This includes disbursing, recording, and reporting grants; collecting revenue; developing and securing federally approved indirect cost rates; and procuring supplies and equipment. This office has one (1) position.

Grants & Contracts: The purpose of this position is to serve as a Secretary/Management Assistant within the Grants Unit. This position performs advanced secretarial and management assistant assignments while serving as lead secretary for the Grants Unit and coordinating secretarial assignments, establishing, and maintaining a central filing system for all internal and external grant activities of the agency, and providing secretarial support in the administration of various grant programs.

Primary Physical Work Address - 4 positions are located at the John Hannah Building, 608 W. Allegan St. Lansing, MI. 48915. Michigan School for the Deaf is located at 1235 W. Court St, Flint, MI. 48503. Hybrid flexible schedule of in-person and remote work arrangement.

Required Education and Experience

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

Alternate Education and Experience

Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Additional Requirements and Information

State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:

Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state’s military and veterans; rebuild our state’s infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.

Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees’ annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.

Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state’s contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.

Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.

Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.

Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year’s Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.

Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.

Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.

Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.

Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.

Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.

Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.

Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.

Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park—just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan’s affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.

Updated: 2/28/24