Remote Public Policy Associate Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $38.80 - $54.91 Hourly
Location : Lansing, MI
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 3103-26-104TH
Department: Education
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 8/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: UNITED AUTO WORKERS (UAW)
Job Description
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 Career and Technical Education (OCTE) works closely with regional career and technical education (CTE) administrators to provide support and technical assistance to implement and improve current operating CTE programs, as well as to support the development of new CTE programs.
Michigan's CTE system provides learners access to equitable, high-quality secondary and postsecondary CTE Programs aligned to rigorous academic and technical standards and career-ready practices. The CTE system:

• Encompasses multiple career pathway entry and exit options, including progressively intensive work-based learning and leadership opportunities, culminating in a postsecondary recognized credential;
• Cultivates multi-stakeholder collaboration with business, industry, labor, and community partners to develop in-demand, credential-driven, robust career pathways;
• Supports strong alignment and partnership between K-12 educators, employers, community colleges, and higher education institutions and;
• Prepares the existing and emerging workforce to result in educated, skilled, informed, and responsible residents.

MDE-OCTE also oversees Michigan's Early Middle Colleges (EMC), an MDE-approved five-year program of study. EMCs allow pupils to earn a high school diploma and one of the following:

• 60 transferable college credits,
• an associate degree,
• a professional certification,
• the Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) technical certificate,
• or the right to participate in a registered apprenticeship.

Position is located at the John Hannah Building, 608 West Allegan Street, Lansing, Michigan. Hybrid flexible schedule of in-person and remote work arrangement.
This position serves as the recognized resource for the Carl D. Perkins Grant applications process.
This position ensures the regional grant applications meet appropriate federal requirements and leads
the Perkins funding formula and Civil Rights Compliance Review targeting process. Incumbent serves
as office lead for development of Statements of Work for grants and contracts accordance with office,
departmental, state, and federal guidance, guidelines, procedures, and legislation.
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
Some positions
may require a current or past possession of a Michigan's teacher's certificate
or one comparable to the one issued in Michigan.
Your submittal
is considered complete with the following required documents:

• Completed Application
• Resume (entered or attached to the job posting)
• Official copy of transcripts (when necessary)

The Michigan
State Employees Retirement System (MSERS) is separate from the Michigan Public
School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS). If you are currently a MPSERS
retiree, there should be no impact to your MPSERS pension due to employment
with the Michigan Department of Education. If you are currently eligible for a
MPSERS retirement benefit and become the successful candidate for this
position, you should contact the Office of Retirement Services (ORS)
to determine any impact if you elect to immediately begin
receiving your MPSERS retirement benefit.
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
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. Please view Student Loan 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
01
MDE1 - Do you understand that failure to provide all requested documentation (cover letter, resume, and transcripts) may result in elimination from the competitive process?

• Yes
• No

02
MDE2 - The State of Michigan is a drug free workplace. Prospective employees will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

03
MDE3 - Do you currently work at the Michigan Department of Education in one of the following capacities? (The Michigan Department of Education is a department within the State of Michigan government. Michigan Public School employees are not employees of the Michigan Department of Education.)

• Current State of Michigan Department of Education employee
• Temporary Service employee
• Contractor Service employee
• None of the above

04
MDE4 - Please indicate how you learned of this Michigan Department of Education job posting (e.g., State of Michigan Job Opportunities web site, MASA website, etc.).
05
MDE5 - Please be aware the application review and determination of your eligibility for this position is based solely upon the information provided in your application packet, especially the Work Experience, Supporting Attachments (transcripts, certifications, etc.) and Supplemental Questions sections of your application. Therefore, it is imperative that you provide extensive detail and accurate dates of employment in the applicable sections of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to attach official college transcripts to the application. For our purposes, an official college transcript must contain your name, the college name/address, the degree conferred/date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree was granted) and the Registrar's signature and/or seal. A scanned or electronic copy is acceptable, as long as it contains the elements listed above. Web-based, internet, or unofficial transcripts are not acceptable. Failure to attach official transcripts may eliminate your application from the selection process. Information provided in your application, resume, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses or applications without requested application materials may be eliminated from further consideration. Have you read and understood the process for submission and use of your application materials?

• Yes