Policy Analyst Jobs in Appleton, WI (NOW HIRING)

Introduction
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), Bureau of YoungStar (BOY) and Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration (BCCSA) are currently recruiting to fill two (2) Program and Policy Analysts - Advanced Management positions. DCF offers great benefits , personal growth opportunities and work-life balance as a State of Wisconsin employee; and the intrinsic reward associated with serving the children and families of Wisconsin. To learn more about DCF's complete compensation package, please visit our Total Rewards Calculator!
This position may allow hybrid work for a portion of the work schedule up to 90% depending on the employee's preference and needs of the work unit. Any hybrid work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process.
For positions that do allow hybrid work flexibility, employees may need to report to a DCF office location on short notice. There is no mileage reimbursement when traveling to the headquarter location. Our DCF locations are in the following cities: Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Eau Claire, and Rhinelander. Employees need to report to the 201 W. Washington Ave. Madison, WI office or the 635 N 26 St. Milwaukee, WI office on their first day for onboarding and orientation.
High speed internet access is required to meet the needs of remote work.
Come see why DCF is such a great place to work!
DCF is committed to the important work of helping children, youth and families become safer, more secure and progress down the road to true independence. For more information about DCF, visit our website at http://dcf.wi.gov/ .
Position Summary
In the Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration this position is responsible to lead high-profile projects to increase access to high-quality, affordable child care in Wisconsin. This position will provide strategic support to BCCSA and to DECE by engaging influential stakeholders such as other State Departments, county agencies, contracted agencies, tribes, child care providers, and Wisconsin parents on behalf of DECE and DCF regarding Wisconsin Shares. The incumbent will lead these efforts regarding initiatives, program changes, and priorities of the legislature and executive office requiring discretion, independent judgement, resourcefulness, priority setting, implementing initiatives and leadership skills. The incumbent will lead coordinate and lead efforts to ensure that the Division is responsive to and successfully complies with audits, onsite monitoring, and other inquiries that the agency is subject to from state/federal fund sources related to Wisconsin Shares. This role will also lead management policy development and implementation efforts related tribal nations in the State of Wisconsin regarding Wisconsin's Child Care Subsidy Program.
In the Bureau of YoungStar this position is responsible to lead high-profile projects to increase access to high-quality, affordable child care in Wisconsin. This position will provide strategic support to BOY and to the Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) by engaging influential stakeholders such as other State Departments, county agencies, contracted agencies, tribes, child care providers, and Wisconsin parents on behalf of DECE and DCF regarding Wisconsin child care quality and workforce initiatives. The incumbent will lead these efforts regarding initiatives, program changes, and priorities of the legislature and executive office requiring discretion, independent judgement, resourcefulness, priority setting, implementing initiatives and leadership skills. The incumbent will coordinate and lead efforts to ensure that the Division is responsive to and successfully complies with audits, onsite monitoring, and other inquiries that the agency is subject to from state/federal fund sources related to child care quality and workforce initiatives. The role will also lead policy development and implementation efforts related to tribal nations in the State of Wisconsin regarding Wisconsin's child care quality and workforce initiatives.
View the complete Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration position description .
View the complete Bureau of YoungStar position description .
Salary Information
The classification title for this position is Program and Policy Analyst - Advanced Management. The starting salary is between $40.00 and $45.18 per hour ($83,200 and $93,974 annually), depending on qualification s. Pay for current State of WI employees will be based on the compensation plan in effect at the time of the appointment. Pay for current state employees who are transferring will be determined based upon the pay on transfer rules (higher level duties or equity) as outlined in the compensation plan in effect at the time of appointment.
The pay schedule/range is 81-03. A one-year probationary period/ may be required.
Job Details
Due to the nature of the position, final candidates may be required to allow DCF to conduct a security background check to determine whether the circumstances of any pending charges or convictions would be substantially related to the job being filled.
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without DCF sponsorship.) The Department of Children and Families does not sponsor visas, either at time of hire or at any later time.
Qualifications
Minimally qualified applicants will have:

• Experience drafting policy papers/memos for decision makers and/or leadership teams
• Experience leading program and/or policy initiatives or processes (e.g. identifying goals, facilitating meetings, tracking progress, regular status reporting, supporting implementation, communicating updates)
• Experience interpreting program and/or policy requirements (statutes, administrative rules, regulations, and/or policy manuals)

Well-qualified applicants will have:

• Experience leading policy initiatives and programs within Human Services ( e.g. K-12, federal government, state government, local government )
• Experience leading and/or directing large-scale (e.g. statewide, county wide, city wide, multiple organizations impacted) programs and/or policy initiatives
• Experience leading stakeholder engagement for complex (involving multiple agencies, competing priorities or significant impacts), cross-functional initiatives, by building consensus

How To Apply
If you haven't already done so, you will need to create an account and apply online. You must apply online to be considered for this position. Application materials will not be accepted if received in an e-mail, as a hard copy or a fax. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
After you are logged in and are viewing the announcement, click "Apply Now." You will be asked to provide your personal information and required materials. Online applications that do not include all of the requested materials will not be considered.
Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application at DCF and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. View instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications for your DCF application and what should be included in these materials.
Submitted materials will be evaluated by one or more subject matter experts and qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.
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 original, 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.
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.
Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer, voluntary demotion, or former employees as a reinstatement) must complete the application process to apply.
Deadline to Apply
The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on August 3, 2026. If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact, Rebekah Gaumitz at 608-422-6417 or via email at Rebekah.Gaumitz@wisconsin.gov . Please see the Frequently Asked Questions for general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance.